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Prominent NFL players who could be cut after training camp
Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon Sportswire

Prominent NFL players who could be cut after training camp

As we enter NFL training camp, some veterans' roster spots are on shaky ground. These 24 players are at risk of being cut if they have poor preseason showings.

 
1 of 24

C.J. Anderson, RB, Lions

C.J. Anderson, RB, Lions
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Anderson was a key member of the Rams roster late last season and into the playoffs, but the team opted to look toward young options this year. Detroit brought in Anderson on a short-term deal as insurance, but it's worth noting that Anderson is nearing age 30 and was released twice last year. He's hardly a shoo-in to make the Lions roster.

 
2 of 24

Tavon Austin, WR, Cowboys

Tavon Austin, WR, Cowboys
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Austin, the eighth-overall pick in the 2013 draft, appeared in only seven games last year with the Cowboys, with just eight receptions as well as some work on punt returns. Dallas signed Randall Cobb to handle slot duties this offseason, and the former Packer can also return punts. With Cobb's addition, Austin's roster spot could be in jeopardy.

 
3 of 24

Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals

Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Bernard has been a productive third down and change-of-pace back since he was drafted by Cincinnati in 2013, but he averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry in two of the last three seasons. Joe Mixon is the clear bell cow back in Cincy, and the Bengals drafted Trayveon Williams and Rodney Anderson this year. If the rookies impress, Cincinnati could move on from Bernard.

 
4 of 24

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Raiders

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Raiders
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Burfict has been a productive player when healthy during his career, but significant injuries have plagued him. He played only seven games last season and hasn't played more than 11 games in a season since 2013. The Raiders signed Burfict to a short-term contract, and they don't have much to lose by cutting bait if he doesn't impress in the preseason.

 
5 of 24

Rex Burkhead, RB, Patriots

Rex Burkhead, RB, Patriots
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

New England has had significant running back depth over the last several seasons, and that remains the case this year after drafting Alabama back Damien Harris in the third round. He joins Sony Michel and James White in the team's dynamic backfield, and that means Burkhead could be the odd man out. Burkhead played a key role in last year's playoffs, but the 29-year-old has also struggled to stay healthy recently.

 
6 of 24

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Falcons

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Falcons
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

Clayborn is just one year removed from recording 9.5 sacks for the Falcons, but he was a complete bust in New England last year. Atlanta took a flier on him in the offseason, but the team probably won't think twice about releasing Clayborn after training camp given his advanced age (31).

 
7 of 24

Joshua Dobbs, QB, Steelers

Joshua Dobbs, QB, Steelers
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Dobbs served as Pittsburgh's primary backup last season and has been learning from Ben Roethlisberger since he was drafted in 2017. However, the former Tennessee star could have his job threatened by 2018 third-rounder Mason Rudolph, who could be ready to step up the depth chart. The Steelers might want to give another young quarterback a chance as the No. 3 signal-caller if that occurs.

 
8 of 24

Chris Hogan, WR, Panthers

Chris Hogan, WR, Panthers
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Hogan has seen plenty of snaps over the last three seasons in New England, but he had a limited free agent market this offseason. Now age 30, he's trying to make the end of Carolina's roster but will need to fight for a spot in training camp.

 
9 of 24

Richie Incognito, OG, Raiders

Richie Incognito, OG, Raiders
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Incognito was out of football last season and has already been suspended two games by the league for off-field issues. While Incognito made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons he was on the field, it remains to be seen what shape he's in with a year layoff and now at age 36. It shouldn't be a shock if Incognito isn't the same.

 
10 of 24

Cardale Jones, QB, Chargers

Cardale Jones, QB, Chargers
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Drafted in the fourth round in 2016, Jones has served as a backup for Philip Rivers recently. A well-known and strong-armed signal-caller at Ohio State, Jones has yet to receive an opportunity and is reaching the point in his fourth season that he needs to produce in the preseason or his team could employ a younger option. After drafting Easton Stick in the fifth round and signing Tyrod Taylor, Jones is in trouble.

 
11 of 24

Karl Joseph, S, Raiders

Karl Joseph, S, Raiders
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

New head coach Jon Gruden didn't seem pleased with Joseph last season and has effectively moved on from him as a starter by signing Lamarcus Joyner and drafting Johnathan Abram in the first round. Joseph enters his fourth NFL season on the chopping block despite his former first-round status.

 
12 of 24

Case Keenum, QB, Redskins

Case Keenum, QB, Redskins
Scott Taetsch / USA Today Sports Images

Washington spent minor draft capital to acquire Keenum from Denver in the offseason, and that was before the team selected Dwayne Haskins in the draft. With Colt McCoy returning from injury, three could be a crowd, and Keenum is unlikely to be satisfied as the third-string signal-caller. An eventual release could be the best option for both team and player.

 
13 of 24

Shaq Lawson, DE, Bills

Shaq Lawson, DE, Bills
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

Lawson was drafted as a fit for Rex Ryan's system in Buffalo, so it's not a surprise that he hasn't fit under Sean McDermott. While he does have 10 sacks over his first three seasons, Lawson's lack of productivity still makes him expendable despite being a former first-round pick. He can't afford a subpar training camp.

 
14 of 24

Doug Martin, RB, Raiders

Doug Martin, RB, Raiders
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Oakland brought back Martin when Isaiah Crowell suffered an injury, but the team then proceeded to draft Josh Jacobs in the first round. Martin was surprisingly productive last year with 4.2 yards per carry, but the former All-Pro hardly has a tight hold on a roster spot given the team's running back depth.

 
15 of 24

Rishard Matthews, WR, Saints

Rishard Matthews, WR, Saints
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

Matthews had a forgettable 2018 season between the Titans and Jets after three consecutive productive years. New Orleans can seemingly make any receiver productive with the help of Drew Brees, but Matthews is going on age 30 and will have work to do to make the 53-man roster.

 
16 of 24

LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills

LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

McCoy has been rumored to be on the chopping block since last season when he averaged only 3.2 yards per carry. The Bills signed Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon and drafted Devin Singletary this offseason, further putting McCoy's job in jeopardy. The team could move on if McCoy has a poor preseason.

 
17 of 24

Cameron Meredith, WR, Saints

Cameron Meredith, WR, Saints
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Meredith burst onto the scene with 888 yards receiving for the Bears in 2016, but he's struggled since then due to a major leg injury. He had only nine receptions for New Orleans last year and will have to battle for a roster spot this summer.

 
18 of 24

Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Cardinals

Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Nkemdiche plunged to 29th overall in the 2016 draft after getting consideration as a top 10 pick early in the process, and it's easy to see why after his first three NFL seasons. The former top college recruit has been a complete bust in Arizona and didn't record his first sack until his third NFL season. Now with his third coaching staff in as many years, Nkemdiche will need to make an impression to stick around.

 
19 of 24

Thomas Rawls, RB, Jaguars

Thomas Rawls, RB, Jaguars
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Rawls rushed for 830 yards and a league-high 5.6 yards per carry in his 2015 rookie season with the Seahawks, but he's progressively lost playing time since then. He failed to get a carry last season and will try to win a backup job behind Leonard Fournette this year. 

 
20 of 24

John Ross, WR, Bengals

John Ross, WR, Bengals
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Ross ascended to the ninth-overall pick in the 2017 draft due in large part to his blazing speed. But it hasn't shown up on the field. New head coach Zac Taylor potentially gives Ross a new start in Cincinnati, but the new coaching staff could also be more willing to move on from Ross if he struggles in the preseason.

 
21 of 24

Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles

Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Philadelphia has had major issues at running back in recent seasons, but that's changed this offseason after the team acquired Jordan Howard and drafted Miles Sanders. With Corey Clement and Josh Adams also on the roster, Smallwood could be the odd man out even after seeing 115 touches last year.

 
22 of 24

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Patriots

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Patriots
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

A former star in Denver, Thomas' numbers have plunged over the last two seasons. He had only 677 yards receiving last year and barely did anything in seven games after getting traded to Houston. New England took a flier on Thomas this offseason, but the team probably won't be hesitant to move on if he struggles in the preseason.

 
23 of 24

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Vikings

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Vikings
Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Today Sports Images

Treadwell has a total of 56 catches for 517 yards in three seasons with the Vikings after being drafted 23rd overall in 2016. The Vikings expected much more when they drafted him in the first round and are now past the point of being patient. Treadwell could be cut if he doesn't make significant improvement.

 
24 of 24

Kevin White, WR, Cardinals

Kevin White, WR, Cardinals
Dennis Wierzbicki / USA Today Sports Images

The seventh-overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Bears, White has suffered one injury after another during his four-year NFL career. Arizona took a flier on White this offseason, with Kliff Kingsbury's offense a great place for wideouts to produce. The odds are still against White making the team after the Cardinals drafted three wide receivers this offseason.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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