NFL cutdown day always delivers surprises, but the real fantasy shakeups come from the quiet roster moves hiding beneath the headlines. As teams lock in their final 53, depth charts shift, roles comes into focus, and a handful of unexpected transactions open the door for new fantasy value. Teams are ready to move on from some of their draft failures, while others are willing to snatch up those same failures and take on a new challenge. We’ve got all the fantasy-relevant movement across the NFL – from “I can fix him,” to “I can’t quit you.” Here’s the roster moves that could change your view of some late-round flyers or waiver wire targets this draft season.
AFC
Baltimore Ravens
Rookie RB Adam Randall begins season on IR
Most likely a roster manipulation move rather than anything to do with a real injury – from the Ravens’ front office? Never! It makes clear that Justice Hill will hold for another season as a pass-catching specialist while Rasheen Ali will likely be on return duties.
Buffalo Bills
RB Frank Gore Jr. cut
Behind James Cook, Ray Davis remains the primary backup with Ty Johnson as the pass-catching back. No change from last season.
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals trim down WR room, keep FIVE tight ends
Cincinnati decided to cut last year’s return specialist Charlie Jones and second-year wideout Mitchell Tinsley, allowing a roster spot for 2026 fourth-round pick Colbie Young out of Georgia. Young will begin the season behind Andrei Iosivas on the depth chart, but could steal some snaps later on in the year.
The Bengals kept five tight ends. And none of them are fantasy viable unless someone emerges as a clear receiving leader. Of the bunch, Mike Gesicki is the most likely to do that, but only because he has zero value as a blocker.
Cleveland Browns
Dillon Gabriel sent to IR, Cedric Tillman cut
Despite naming Deshaun Watson the starter, this quarterback room still seems super murky. With Gabriel going to IR, the team decided to keep rookie Taylen Green on the roster as QB3. The rookie out of Arkansas will be on the sideline for Week One.
Veteran wide receiver Cedric Tillman was cut, clearing the way for rookie wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to be undisputed starters in this offense.
Denver Broncos
Jaleel McLaughlin cut, Tyler Badie remains
The Broncos RB room thinned out a little bit as McLaughlin was sent packing, but Badie still looms as a potential passing down specialist. This dampens the outlook for Jonah Coleman slightly, but not enough to make me worry about drafting him as a late flyer. A surprise cut for deep Dynasty leagues was fifth-round rookie tight end Justin Joly, who was the highest-drafted player to be cut.
Houston Texans
Tank Dell begins season on IR
It stinks that Dell won’t be ready for Week One, but at least this opens up more snaps for second-year man Jaylin Noel and recently-acquired Kayshon Boutte. Fantasy managers just need to hope that neither one is buried behind Xavier Hutchinson.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson is still on the roster
Richardson survives another year of cuts, but will likely begin the year as QB3 behind Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard. Richardson is still interesting in dynasty super flex leagues, I guess. But it would take a complete degradation of Jones’ talents for him to sniff a start in 2026.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Ameer Abdullah makes the 53-man roster
Abdullah is half-cat, because he seems to have nine NFL lives. He makes the Jaguars’ opening week roster, most likely in a pass-catching, pass-blocking role while LeQuint Allen remains sidelined (although NOT placed on IR) with an injury.
Kansas City Chiefs
Emari Demercado among those cut by Chiefs
Demercado was who I assumed would take on the RB2 role in this offense, but it looks like the Chiefs feel comfortable going with rookie Emmett Johnson. He’s worth a late-round selection in all fantasy formats, not only as a handcuff to Kenneth Walker III, but also with some standalone value if Walker’s playing time is managed like it was in Seattle.
Update: Demercado was claimed by Dallas in Monday’s waiver run.
Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders part ways with Ogunbawale
Not much to gather here, other than the Raiders let go of Ogunbawale at running back. I would have been much more worried about Jeanty’s injury had the Raiders kept an additional running back. This isn’t necessarily indicative of Jeanty’s health, but I’m slightly less concerned now after roster cuts.
Los Angeles Chargers
Jaret Patterson cut from 53-man roster
Patterson hanging around would have indicated that Keaton Mitchell‘s injury blip may have been more serious than anticipated. Seeing him let go puts my mind at ease about Mitchell’s health, considering I’m heavily invested in the Chargers’ running back as a late-round sleeper.
Miami Dolphins
Dolphins trade away Tutu Atwell, Claim seven off waivers, including Brady Cook, Justin Joly
This is a huge vote of confidence for rookie wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, who enter the season as two of the top three wide receivers in this Miami offense. One or both of these names will be popular waiver adds after Week One. The return for Atwell, Jarquez Hunter, was unceremoniously waived. The Dolphins also claimed QB Brady Cook from the Jets on Monday’s waiver run for some extra depth behind Malik Willis and tight end Justin Joly. The former 2026 Broncos draft pick will add depth to the tight end room as well.
New England Patriots
Fallout from the Boutte Trade
After dealing Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans, the Patriots have made clear that they feel very strong with AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs leading their wide receiver room. Boutte’s exit should clear snaps for Pop Douglas as WR3, while Kyle Williams could be an interesting depth piece in what should be a high-powered offense. Mack Hollins also exists.
New York Jets
Only two Quarterbacks on the 53-man roster
Only Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik are currently listed on the Jets’ initial 53-man roster. This probably isn’t fantasy relevant. It’s just interesting considering Smith’s missed time last season and Klubnik’s preseason performance. It seems the rookie has inspired some faith within the building that he can handle things if Smith goes down.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Kaleb Johnson Traded to Green Bay
As if it wasn’t clear enough that Johnson wasn’t part of the plan in Pittsburgh moving forward, this makes it obvious. Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are the only names to worry about in this backfield. Scroll down to the Packers section for a little more on this trade.
Tennessee Titans
Will Levis Cut by Titans
This transaction is not at all fantasy relevant. It’s just the most notable news out of the Titans’ roster cutdowns. The former first-round pick will look for work elsewhere. I’m sure Hellman’s still has a job for him.
NFC
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner placed on IR, Trey Benson cut
All systems go for Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier to begin the season. Things might get a little more interesting if and when Conner comes back.
Atlanta Falcons
Falcons keep four Quarterbacks on Week One roster
If the Falcons had any intention of allowing Tua Tagovailoa to be the starter for an extended period of time, they likely would have cut their fourth quarterback and rolled with just three. Between this peculiar roster setup and the negative reports out of camp, this feels like the Falcons will move Penix into the starting role and cut Tua as soon as Penix appears ready to go at full strength.
Carolina Panthers
John Metchie III Makes the 53-Man Roster
Metchie made the team to open the season, giving the Panthers more depth at a position that seems a little soft behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Metchie performed well enough to be fantasy viable in the final few weeks of 2025 and has history with Bryce Young from their time together at Alabama. He could be a name to watch in SUPER deep league formats.
Chicago Bears
Monangai Avoids IR to Open Season
I’m grasping at straws here looking for a fantasy-relevant roster story out of Chicago. Monangai avoiding IR means he could come back sooner than expected, but that doesn’t really change much for fantasy managers who haven’t necessarily been bullish on the second-year back.
Dallas Cowboys
Jaydon Blue a surprise cut for the Cowboys
Probably the biggest surprise of roster cut-down season, Blue was penciled in to be the Cowboys’ RB2, backing up Javonte Williams in the Dallas backfield. The Cowboys talked all about how Blue was going to be a great back, that they would play to his strengths and work his speed on the perimeter into the offense. And then, they mashed him up the middle between the tackles all through the preseason, which obviously didn’t go well for the young back. Malik Davis is the only handcuff that is viable at this point, although the Cowboys did scoop Emari Demercado off waivers.
Detroit Lions
Lions cut Dortch
The Lions let go of Dortch and only keep four wide receivers on the roster to open the year. That should mean narrow target distribution for this squad with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams leading the way, Sam LaPorta holding down tight end, and Isaac TeSlaa holding steady as WR3. It could also indicate that the Lions will lean into heavier personnel packages. As if things couldn’t be more perfect for Jahmyr Gibbs…
Green Bay Packers
Packers place Jacobs on Commissioner’s Exempt List, acquire Kaleb Johnson
With Packers incumbent starter Josh Jacobs to begin the season on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, Green Bay was a shade thin at running back. Instead of beginning the season with only MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks in the backfield, they acquire Johnson from the Steelers to bolster things. Whether or not he’ll stick around once Jacobs gets back (IF Jacobs gets back) is yet to be seen, but at least the Green Bay coaching staff won’t be harboring a grudge from a special teams gaffe that cost the team a game (even though the coaching regime changed this season, the vibes in Pittsburgh were still weird).
If there’s any ray of hope for Johnson, it’s that the Packers are one of the run-heaviest teams in the NFL, finishing fifth in rush rate in the 2025 season. Maybe he takes the clean slate in Green Bay and works his way into the rotation in Jacobs’ absence. We already saw the worst-case scenario in Pittsburgh; it can’t be any worse in Wisconsin.
Los Angeles Rams
Rams Re-acquire Tutu Atwell from Dolphins
After a short stint in Miami, Atwell heads back to the West Coast to rejoin the Rams. According to head coach Sean McVay, this has “nothing to do with” a potential Puka Nacua suspension stemming from offseason activities and was merely to add depth to the WR room, which now features seven wide receivers to open the season. Fantasy managers are hoping that drafting Nacua in the first round won’t come back to… bite them.
Minnesota Vikings
JJ McCarthy is still a Viking, for now
As of the time of writing this article, McCarthy is still a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Albeit, for how long is anyone’s guess. The team did, however, hang on to four quarterbacks to enter the season as Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer all made the Week One roster as well.
New Orleans Saints
Daniel Carlson wins Kicker Battle
The veteran Carlson was brought in late in the preseason but did enough to fend off incumbent Charlie Smyth for kicking duties in the Big Easy. The former Raiders kicker will now be taking field goals and extra points for one of the fastest-paced offenses in the league, who also play their home games indoors. I don’t do sleepers at kicker… but if I did, Carlson would make the short list.
New York Giants
OBJ Makes the 53-Man Roster
This feels far more like a publicity stunt than a fantasy-relevant note out of camp, but Odell Beckham Jr. will open the season on the Giants’ roster. There’s nothing I would love to see more than a Week One blowout, where the second-string offense gets to come out on the field. Give me Jameis Winston to OBJ for a 60-yard bomb, just for funsies.
Philadelphia Eagles
Stowers Buried on TE Depth Chart
It was a bad preseason for the rookie tight end out of Vanderbilt, but hey, at least he made the roster (looking at you, Justin Joly). Stowers is one of four tight ends to open the season on the Eagles’ 53-man roster, with both Jonny Mundt and EJ Jenkins also making the team behind Dallas Goedert. Oh, by the way, Grant Calcaterra will be coming off IR at some point, slotting Stowers even further down the depth chart. Please forget I mentioned him as a 2026 sleeper weeks ago.
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks stand pat at RB
Zach Charbonnet is going to begin the year on the PUP list, and Emanuel Wilson seems likely to miss some time to begin the year, but the Seahawks are rolling with what they have in their RB room. Rookie Jadarian Price and George Holani appear to be a committee in the backfield, at least for now. The Hawks could still add a depth piece cut from elsewhere like Trey Benson or reunite with Travis Homer, but that doesn’t appear to be the plan. Great news for Price truthers (and degenerates like me who listed Holani as a sleeper).
San Francisco 49ers
Christian Kirk placed on IR
After missing all of preseason, Kirk was placed on the IR. That means it’s wheels up for rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. One of this year’s draft season darlings, Stribling continues to skyrocket up draft boards through the end of August. He should be penciled in as San Francisco’s WR2 to begin the season and could be a true alpha target if Mike Evans and George Kittle miss time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sean Tucker Sticks Around
After speculation that he might get cut, running back Sean Tucker restructured his deal with the Buccaneers to remain with the team for 2026. Last year, Tucker was a goal line vulture that directly cut into the value and workload of Bucky Irving. Now with Kenneth Gainwell joining the fray, it could be a swashbuckling cluster in the Bucs RB room this season.
Washington Commanders
Jeremy McNichols to IR
McNichols begins the season on IR, which thins out the Washington backfield to begin the year. The Commanders will lean on Jacory Croskey Merritt and Rachaad White with Kaytron Allen waiting in the wings as well. This is another team to keep an eye on in terms of running back waiver claims. If they add a name like Benson, it could dirty the water in the Washington backfield worse than a bad paint job on a national monument.
Photo by Rich Graessle | Adapted by Parker McDonald (@CarbonFoxGFX on Twitter/X)