Several NFL veterans may not have their roster spot secured ahead of the league's Aug. 30 cutdown day.
Here are the most notable players who could be released or traded before each team finalizes its 53-man roster.
James Conner, RB, Cardinals
The arrivals of third overall pick Jeremiyah Love and free-agent addition Tyler Allgeier mean Conner isn't long for Arizona. Conner had a productive spell as the team's lead back from 2021-24, but a foot injury wiped out most of his 2025 season, and the rebuilding Cardinals ought to invest in younger players rather than the 31-year-old veteran. Love suffered an ankle sprain in Arizona's preseason opener, which could increase Conner's chances of sticking, but the Cardinals may still prefer to split carries between Allgeier and 24-year-old Trey Benson.
Kayshon Boutte, WR, Patriots
Boutte's place on New England's depth chart took a hit after the reigning AFC champions traded for A.J. Brown and signed Romeo Doubs. Boutte averaged 16.7 yards per catch in 2025 and set a career high with six touchdowns while topping 500 yards for the second straight year. He's entering the last season of his rookie contract, and there haven't been indications that the Patriots will reward him with a long-term extension.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Giants
Thibodeaux is playing on his fifth-year option, putting him on track to become a free agent in 2027. He was a trade candidate last year, and speculation only intensified after the Giants used the fifth overall pick on Arvell Reese, who can play linebacker or edge rusher behind Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. That makes Thibodeaux a very expensive rotational pass-rusher with a $14.7 million cap hit. He's only 25 and a former top-five selection himself, so potential upside remains. However, the former Oregon stud has struggled to stay healthy and has topped six sacks just once (11.5 in 2023).
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Browns
Gabriel doesn't appear to be a part of new head coach Todd Monken's plans, leaving his future uncertain as Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders battle for the Browns' top spot at quarterback. The left-handed signal-caller completed only 58.9% of his passes with six touchdowns and two interceptions over six starts in 2025.
Cole Kmet, TE, Bears
Chicago seems ready to move on from Kmet; the team has a new No. 1 tight end in 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland and used a Round 3 selection on Sam Roush in April. The Bears also restructured Kmet's contract this offseason, dropping his 2026 cap hit to $7.7 million. That number doubles in 2027 - the last year of his deal - with no guaranteed money. Kmet, who fell short of 400 yards last season for the first time since his rookie year, is only 27 and could become one of the top options available for TE-needy teams.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants
Beckham returned to New York as somewhat of a long shot to make the team, and his appearance among the third-stringers on the first unofficial depth chart felt ominous. While he's reeled in some impressive catches in training camp, Beckham only managed two receptions for six yards in the Giants' first preseason game. He's now 33 and hasn't been an impactful player since suffering a second ACL tear in Super Bowl LVI more than four years ago. Beckham needs a monster finish to the preseason to make this reunion a reality.
Keon Coleman, WR, Bills
Unless he can beat out Joshua Palmer for the No. 3 receiver role, Coleman might be done in Buffalo. His recent foot injury won't help, either. Inconsistencies on and off the field marred the Florida State product over his first two seasons, and he enters his third year with a modest 960 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 23 career games. Upon taking over for Sean McDermott in January, new Bills head coach Joe Brady guaranteed that Coleman would have a role going forward, but talk tends to be cheap early in the offseason.
Keisean Nixon, CB, Packers
This would be a surprising one since Nixon finished 2025 as the Packers' top cornerback. But he's bounced between working with the starters and the backups in training camp and has internalized that development as a "punishment." Packers head coach Matt LaFleur responded by saying Nixon is competing for a role just like everyone else on the roster, yet something about this situation is fishy. Nixon is entering a contract year, so you'd have to imagine he and his representatives would angle for a trade over a demotion.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts
It's no secret that the Richardson era in Indianapolis is all but over; there's just the question of how it will officially end. Although the former No. 4 overall pick has enough arm talent and athleticism for other teams to take a flier on him, Richardson has never parlayed his physical abilities into statistical success going back to his college days at Florida. There's always a market for former first-round quarterbacks, so the dual-threat passer should find a home somewhere, but it would take some wacky circumstances for Richardson to take another regular-season snap with the Colts.
Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers
The South Carolina product has experienced a pair of rocky seasons, so the Panthers could soon seek an upgrade over Legette, either internally or externally. Their in-house options include Jimmy Horn Jr., Ja'seem Reed, and John Metchie. Horn had about one-third of Legette's production last year while playing 341 fewer pass snaps. The free-agent market includes Tyreek Hill (depending on his health), Brandin Cooks, and old friend Curtis Samuel. Others will become available as teams trim their rosters. Despite being penciled in as Carolina's No. 3 receiver and being a former first-round pick, Legette shouldn't feel secure in his roster spot.
