A few ripples were made with the first round of cuts as teams pare their rosters down to the 53-player maximum as dictated by the league. Tuesday at 4 p.m. was the deadline for teams to send at least 15 players packing, cutting their training camp roster from 90 to 75 players.
And while no team sent a star packing, a few notable names hit the streets. These are the five I find most interesting.
Fred Jackson – RB, Buffalo Bills
2014: 141 carries, 525 yards, two touchdowns; 66 catches, 501 yards, one touchdown
Jackson’s release is being called a “surprise” by some, but I look at this is a quality move from Rex Ryan and the new Bills regime. Not that Jackson is a player they couldn’t use, but the Bills are loaded at the running back position and releasing Jackson early gives him plenty of time to land another job, which he most assuredly will.
High-ankle sprain to RB Robert Turbin leads to visit with former @buffalobills RB Fred Jackson: [http://t.co/xuSZuIrAsK]
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 1, 2015
For the Bills, it opens up a depth chart spot for rookie Karlos Williams, who has had a stellar camp and Bryce Brown, who has always been an under appreciated running back in college and the NFL.
Where he might end up: The Pittsburgh Steelers would be a natural fit for Jackson, but really he could almost pick the team for which he wants to play. The Baltimore Ravens would be a great spot for him, as would the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons. He’s already visiting the Seattle Seahawks.
Trent Richardson – RB, Oakland Raiders
2014: 159 carries, 519 yards, three touchdowns; 27 catches, 229 yards
This could be the inglorious end to a career that should have amounted to much more than this. Richardson has now flamed out with three teams after basically being drafted in the first round twice. The fact that he was beaten out for a roster spot by Taiwan Jones, a fifth-year player with a total of 27 carries in his career (and none since 2013) maybe says more about Richardson than anything else.
"This should've happened a long time ago. Trent Richardson is the WORST RB of ALL TIME!" – @Realrclark25 pic.twitter.com/ENXlAo6hmd
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 1, 2015
Where he might end up: I think the Green Bay Packers should give Richardson a try to back up Eddie Lacy. They played together before at Alabama and that seemed to work out pretty well. The Dallas Cowboys should take a good look at him too, especially with their running back depth issue and the strength of their offensive line.
Tim Jennings – CB, Chicago Bears
2014: 50 tackles, seven passes defended. no picks
The Bears cut Jennings to get younger and because they have his cheaper replacement already on the roster in Demontre Hurst. Jennings is a pro that could fit in with any team, but he might be sitting around for a while until at least next weekend as teams evaluate their rosters and injuries leading into Week One.
Former bears CB Tim Jennings is in Tampa visiting the Bucs today, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2015
Where he might end up: The Cowboys need a corner after losing Orlando Scandrick. The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions could both use the help. The Ravens too. The Bucs are already looking at him.
Denarius Moore – WR, Cincinnati Bengals
2014: 12 catches, 115 yards, no touchdowns
Moore was been a deep threat and a touchdown machine since his second year in the league with the Raiders back in 2011, but Oakland reduced his role in 2014 and he took his talents elsewhere. Unfortunately for Moore, he took them first to the Bengals and that team was already loaded at wide receiver with A.J. Green, Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu already entrenched.
Tough news for some #Vols yesterday as WR Denarius Moore was cut by the Bengals and CB Justin Coleman was cut by the Vikings
— Rocky Top News (@rockytop_news) September 1, 2015
Where he might end up: The Carolina Panthers should be on the phone with Moore already. The Cleveland Browns, the Patriots and the Packers would all be good fits too.
Justin Coleman – CB, Minnesota Vikings
2014: N/A, undrafted 2015 free agent
This one may count as a surprise only to me, but not only am I surprised Justin Coleman was cut in the first round of releases by the Vikings, I’m surprised he wasn’t drafted in the first place. Coleman was one of the best corners in the Southeastern Conference last season and ran a 4.53 40 at the NFL combine with a 6.61-second cone drill, the fastest of any defensive back at the combine.
Where he might end up: The Cowboys need a corner and have had success with Tennessee guys before. I’d like to see him sign with Titans. The Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles would also be good landing spots.
Other notable cuts
Injuries have cost a couple of high draft picks jobs and big-money free agents from the recent past jobs. The Colts cut guard Donald Thomas, a guy they signed to a $14 million deal in 2013 because he couldn’t stay healthy. Former Lions second-round pick Ryan Broyles was released for the same reason.
The Vikings cut tight end Brandon Bostick. You may remember him as the guy that flubbed the onside kick against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game.
The Panthers cut not one, not two, but three wide receivers Tuesday so what’s wrong with those guys? If Jarrett Boykin, Paul Browning and Avius Capers couldn’t find a job in Carolina. They probably need to start thinking Canada or Arena league.
