Cutdown day brings a release of energy that has been building since the beginning of training camp, if not since the draft or even the beginning of free agency. Teams have been gathering information to make the best decisions for their final 53-man roster. Some of those decisions will surprise us; some will even surprise the team compared to what they thought when camp opened. Because we are talking about the end of the roster in most cases, there aren't many big fantasy implications, but there are some butterfly wings flapping that can become hurricanes by the end of the season. Let's keep in mind also that there will be ripples of moves leading right until next Tuesday. By the team you read this article, subsequent moves may change the significance or even nullify the implications we explore below. Let's also remember for many of these players, getting cut is testing their resolve and putting what they have been working for most of their lives in question.
Note: This article will be updated for post-cutdown day transactions
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals released Colt McCoy, who couldn't throw on consecutive days during camp, and swapped a 2024 fifth-rounder with a seventh-rounder from Cleveland to get Joshua Dobbs, who at least is versed in Kevin Stefanski's offense before heading down to Arizona to play in first-time offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's offense. Petzing worked with Stefanski for the last nine years, including six in Minnesota. It's not clear whether Dobbs or fifth-round pick Clayton Tune will start Week 1 at Washington, but either way, this pass offense is doomed to be among the worst in the league, and the team should be in no hurry to put Kyler Murray back on the field after he will miss at least the first four games on the PUP list recovering from ACL surgery.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens decided to keep undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell over veteran Melvin Gordon III as their fourth running back. He's a smaller back (5-foot-8 and 179 pounds), but he's also speedy (4.37-second 40) and can contribute as a receiver and returner. J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill are the three backs ahead of him, but they all have had serious injuries in the last two years. Remember Mitchell's name if injuries start to thin the Ravens backfield again.
Chicago Bears
Chicago has their backup quarterback, and it's not P.J. Walker, who was released. UDFA Tyson Bagent out of Division II Shepherd, who broke many a record along the way, will back up Justin Fields, who does put himself in harm's way, so we might see Bagent play this year. Even though Bagent went undrafted, he was invited to the Senior Bowl and was a Matt Waldman RSP favorite, so don't assume that he lacks starter upside. Bagent should be on a roster in every Superflex dynasty league.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns felt comfortable about fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson as a backup to Deshaun Watson to trade away Joshua Dobbs to Arizona. Thompson-Robinson had a terrific preseason, including a block on a running play that was vicious enough to draw a fine. He has great athleticism and running ability and would be an instant waiver-wire pickup if Watson were to go down. Thompson-Robinson should be on a roster in every Superflex dynasty league if he isn't already… Cleveland also made a couple of moves at running back. They released Jordan Wilkins, a veteran brought in after presumptive backup and 2022 fifth-round pick Jerome Ford suffered a hamstring injury, and also traded reserve offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to New England for Pierre Strong. Strong was a 2022 fourth-round pick, going ahead of Ford, and his game is predicated on speed. Strong doesn't project as a three-down backup, so if he's the most notable back the Browns add before Week 1, Ford could still be in line to backup Nick Chubb, assuming he can get and stay healthy…The Browns also got a kicker to replace Cade York, who had a rough preseason and ended up hurt in the last game. The Chargers will go with Cameron Dicker at kicker after they dealt veteran Dustin Hopkins to Cleveland.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos couldn't find a taker for TE Albert Okwuegbunam even after he posted a 7-109-1 line in the preseason finale against the Rams. Adam Trautman and Greg Dulcich will be the top tight ends, and Chris Manhertz will be the third tight end, mainly for his blocking…Even though he had a strong finish to the preseason, the Broncos decided that they had seen enough of him and made a deal to reunite Sean Payton with his last kicker from the Saints era of his career, Wil Lutz. Lutz remains a draftable kicker with the benefit of high altitudes in more than half of his games and likely a conservative approach on offense
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