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Prominent NFL players who could be cut after training camp
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Images

Prominent NFL players who could be cut after training camp

NFL teams have difficult choices to make as training camp concludes. These veterans are candidates to be cut as teams trim their rosters to 53 heading into Week 1. 

 
1 of 25

Nelson Agholor, WR, Ravens

Nelson Agholor, WR, Ravens
Brent Skeen / USA Today Sports Images

A former first-round pick by the Eagles, Agholor had a breakout 2020 season with Las Vegas but couldn't repeat that production in New England over the last two seasons. He was signed as depth by Baltimore, but is no better than fourth on the depth chart and could be cut if the team opts to severely limit their wideout numbers.

 
2 of 25

Chosen Anderson, WR, Dolphins

Chosen Anderson, WR, Dolphins
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Anderson was a star early in his career with the Jets and Panthers, but struggled to stick between Carolina and Arizona last season. His lack of efficiency over the last two seasons, catching less than 50% of his targets, could be a warning sign. Anderson needs a strong preseason to stick on Miami's roster.

 
3 of 25

Mekhi Becton, OT, Jets

Mekhi Becton, OT, Jets
Chris Pedota / USA Today Sports Images

Becton has played only two games over the last two seasons due to injury, and it remains to be seen what form the 2020 first-round pick will be in when he takes the field. As much as the Jets would like to see Becton rebound, they've made plans as if he won't be a major factor this season and could cut him if the recovery doesn't move forward as they'd like.

 
4 of 25

Devin Bush, LB, Seahawks

Devin Bush, LB, Seahawks
Steven Bisig / USA Today Sports Images

Bush was a relative bust for the Steelers in four seasons before they moved on from him, and he was never the same after injury in his second season. Seattle is looking at Bush as depth and a potential special teams player, and has no incentive to keep the former first-round pick around if he's not performing.

 
5 of 25

K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB, Jaguars

K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB, Jaguars
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

The drafting of recent Jaguars front offices left much to be desired, with Chaisson looking like another bust. The 2020 first-round pick has a total of three sacks in three seasons and played just over 109 snaps on defense last year. Jacksonville could opt to use his roster spot with someone else.

 
6 of 25

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Using a first-round pick on Edwards-Helaire was a curious decision for the Chiefs in 2020, and he's struggled to stay on the field. After being inactive for last year's Super Bowl, it was clear Edwards-Helaire has fallen out of favor with the team, and rookie Deneric Prince's strong training camp performance could make the Chiefs comfortable moving on from CEH.

 
7 of 25

Caleb Farley, CB, Titans

Caleb Farley, CB, Titans
George Walker IV / USA Today Sports Images

Farley has played only 12 games in two seasons since the Titans selected him 22nd overall in 2021. Cutting Farley would be a drastic decision given the investment, but a new GM in Ran Carthon makes the move a real possibility if Farley doesn't appear healthy.

 
8 of 25

Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Cowboys

Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Cowboys
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Fowlers performed relatively well as a pass-rushing specialist for Dallas last season with six sacks, though his contribution was very limited, seeing only 30% of defensive snaps. The third overall draft choice in 2015, Fowler will need to continue producing to keep his roster spot.

 
9 of 25

Melvin Gordon, RB, Ravens

Melvin Gordon, RB, Ravens
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Gordon's addition in camp is likely a symptom of J.K. Dobbins' shaky status and shouldn't guarantee the veteran a roster spot. He was cut by the Broncos last season after recording only 3.5 yards per carry and struggling with ball security, and he never took the field for the Chiefs after they signed him to the practice squad. Baltimore has had success with other past-their-prime veteran running backs in the past, but Gordon needs to prove his worth in the exhibition season.

 
10 of 25

Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints

Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports Images

After struggling with the Bears in 2021, Graham sat out last season at age 36. It was assumed by many that his career had concluded, but the former All-Star signed back with New Orleans, where his career started. It's a last-ditch effort for Graham to continue his career but far from a sure thing he will make the team.

 
11 of 25

Javon Kinlaw, DT, 49ers

Javon Kinlaw, DT, 49ers
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Kinlaw was a first-round pick by the 49ers in 2020 after the team traded star DeForest Buckner. He started most of his rookie season but has had trouble staying on the field over the last two years. The addition of former Eagles star Javon Hargrave means that San Francisco isn't counting on Kinlaw, and he must earn his way onto the roster in the final year of his rookie deal.

 
12 of 25

Shaq Lawson, DE, Bills

Shaq Lawson, DE, Bills
Gregory Fisher / USA Today Sports Images

Lawson made a limited contribution last season for Buffalo, starting four games and playing about 50% of the defensive snaps. The former first-round pick has made the rounds through AFC East teams in recent years, and the addition of Leonard Floyd could put his roster spot in jeopardy.

 
13 of 25

Alex Leatherwood, OG, Bears

Alex Leatherwood, OG, Bears
Philip G. Pavely / USA Today Sports Images

Leatherwood started all 17 games of his rookie season with the Raiders in 2021, but the first-round pick couldn't cut it with the Raiders new coaching staff last year. He appeared in four games with Chicago, but is just fighting for a backup spot in training camp.

 
14 of 25

Latavius Murray, RB, Bills

Latavius Murray, RB, Bills
Gregory Fisher / USA Today Sports Images

Murray found an opportunity with Denver last season despite being in his early 30s and hopes to win a roster spot this year with Buffalo. His style as a power runner does work to his advantage, but running backs can fall off the age cliff quickly. At age 33, his job security isn't great.

 
15 of 25

Davis Mills, QB, Texans

Davis Mills, QB, Texans
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

Mills has been Houston's primary starting quarterback over the last two seasons, though the Texans drafted C.J. Stroud with the second overall draft choice this year. That means not only is Mills likely to lose the starting job, but he could lose his roster spot to veteran backup Case Keenum.

 
16 of 25

Rashaad Penny, RB, Eagles

Rashaad Penny, RB, Eagles
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Averaging over six yards per carry over the last two seasons in Seattle, there were high hopes Penny would run away with the starting job in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, he's been upstaged by Kenneth Gainwell and D'Andre Swift early in camp, and the Eagles could look elsewhere for a backup with Penny's history of injuries.

 
17 of 25

Jalen Reagor, WR, Vikings

Jalen Reagor, WR, Vikings
Matt Krohn / USA Today Sports Images

Reagor is a notorious bust as a first-round pick by the Eagles in 2020, and the team moved on from him after only two seasons. He primarily served as Minnesota's punt returner last season, but the team could opt to find a player more capable as a receiver to fill the roster spot after Adam Thielen left in the offseason.

 
18 of 25

James Robinson, RB, Giants

James Robinson, RB, Giants
Junfu Han / USA Today Sports Images

Robinson was a surprise rookie for Jacksonville in 2020, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 14 games. Unfortunately, he's struggled to get over the hump after an Achilles injury in 2021, and is currently buried on the Giants depth chart. 

 
19 of 25

Anthony Schwartz, WR, Browns

Anthony Schwartz, WR, Browns
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

The speedy Schwartz made some highlight plays for the Browns in 2021, but he's had only 14 catches in two seasons since he was drafted in the third round. Catching only 42% of his targets, Schwartz could be cut with the Browns sporting more depth this season.

 
20 of 25

Laviska Shenault, WR, Panthers

Laviska Shenault, WR, Panthers
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Shenault has shined at times with the ball in his hands, but the new Jaguars coaching staff wasn't impressed by him before he was traded to Carolina last season. Catching only 27 passes in 13 games last season, Shenault didn't leave a lasting impression and will need to shine with his fifth coaching staff in three seasons.

 
21 of 25

Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants

Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants
George Walker IV / USA Today Sports Images

Shepard was a major factor in New York's offense early in his career, but has been plagued by injuries over the last four seasons. The 30-year-old seemed to lose a step when he did play in three games last year and could be a cut candidate with the Giants going younger at wideout.

 
22 of 25

Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Bears

Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Bears
Mark Hoffman / USA Today Sports Images

The older brother of Lions superstar Amon-Ra St. Brown, Equanimeous, started 16 games for the Bears last season but netted only 21 catches. The additions of Chase Claypool, D.J. Moore, and others over the last year have pushed St. Brown down in the depth chart to the point that he could be cut.

 
23 of 25

Malik Willis, QB, Titans

Malik Willis, QB, Titans
Jamie Sabau / USA Today Sports Images

Willis started three games out of necessity for the Titans last season, but the third-round rookie looked like a deer in headlights. A change in the front office and the addition of second-round pick Will Levis could cause the team to move on from Willis.

 
24 of 25

Chase Winovich, DE, Texans

Chase Winovich, DE, Texans
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Winovich looked like a promising pass rusher early in his career with New England, recording 5.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons. The last two seasons haven't gone as well, with Winovich recording only one sack. Despite the lack of talent in Houston, Winovich needs a strong camp to keep a roster spot.

 
25 of 25

Robert Woods, WR, Texans

Robert Woods, WR, Texans
Thomas Shea / USA Today Sports Images

Woods emerged as a 1,000-yard receiver for two years with the Rams in 2018-2019 but hasn't been the same since a knee injury. He had only 9.9 yards per catch with the Titans last year and is fighting younger players for a roster spot and playing time with his new team.

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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