16 AFC players who surprisingly may make their team's roster

Every season, seemingly out of the blue, a player makes a team's cut. He may be an undrafted free agent or a veteran at the back end of his career. 

Here are AFC players whom Yardbarker NFL writers expect to survive Tuesday's cutdown date:

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Linebacker Joe Andreessen | The undrafted rookie out of Buffalo has been one of the stars of the preseason for the Bills, racking up 23 tackles and eight run stops in three games. Considering All-Pro Matt Milano is already on injured reserve with a torn biceps and Deion Jones was cut Sunday, Andreessen could carve out a rotational role in the linebacking corps fairly quickly.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Linebacker Channing Tindall | A 2022 third-round pick, Tindall has been disappointing since his selection, mainly contributing on special teams and collecting just 11 tackles in 33 games. However, Tindall has shined in three preseason games, tallying 23 tackles (two for loss), 1.5 sacks and three QB hits, which should be enough to earn a roster spot and potentially salvage his career.

NEW YORK JETS | Running back Israel Abanikanda | Abanikanda appeared to be the odd man out in the backfield following the arrivals of rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, but he has made a strong case for the team to carry four tailbacks. The 2023 fifth-round pick capped a solid preseason with a stellar performance in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Giants, rushing for 83 yards on nine carries, including a 45-yard touchdown.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Linebacker Joe Giles-Harris | The Duke product has been in a fierce position battle with former Eagles linebacker Christian Elliss this offseason, but it's possible New England could hang onto them both following his impressive preseason finale. During Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Washington Commanders, Giles-Harris flashed excellent skills in pass coverage and finished with five tackles, one pass breakup and one interception. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | Quarterback Zach Wilson | In a 38-12 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, former No. 2 overall pick Wilson looked like a decent backup for rookie Bo Nix, completing 16-of-25 passes for 251 yards and two TDs. In a postgame news conference, head coach Sean Payton indicated Denver will keep Wilson and fellow backup QB Jarrett Stidham.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Fullback Carson Steele | Undrafted rookie Steele rushed for 50 yards and one TD on Thursday against the Bears. Following the 34-21 loss, head coach Andy Reid gave him a thumbs-up, saying, “They looked like they didn’t want to tackle (Steele).”

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Wide receiver Tyreik McAllister | The receiving corps features Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, but there should be room for McAllister. In Vegas’ preseason finale against the 49ers on Friday, he had an 81-yard punt return TD and a 35-yard TD catch.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Wide receiver Simi Fehoko | Fehoko flashed playmaking ability in preseason and should earn a spot on the 53-man roster. The Stanford product logged seven receptions for 170 yards and one TD catch. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Wide receiver Dayton Wade | Wade is one of the more surprising players for the Ravens this preseason, leading the team with seven catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. The undrafted rookie is part of a crowded wide receiver room, but his strong preseason may have earned him a spot on the 53-man roster.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Linebacker Maema Njongmeta | Njongmeta has made a strong case to be the fifth linebacker by leading the team with 26 tackles in three preseason games. The undrafted rookie has caught the attention of linebackers coach James Bettcher, who said, “He didn't let calls or anything bog him down.”

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden | David Njoku is the clear No. 1 tight end, but the backup spot is up for grabs. Veteran Jordan Akins is the favorite, but Mitchell-Paden, an undrafted rookie in 2022, has made the case that it should be him after registering a team-leading eight catches for 82 yards.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Cornerback Beanie Bishop | Bishop is an undersized corner (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) who probably went undrafted because of his size, but he was arguably the biggest star of training camp. He didn’t play in the final preseason game due to a hamstring injury, but he was named the starting slot corner ahead of Pittsburgh’s first preseason game and has a good chance to return as such when he’s fully healthy. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Running back Cam Akers | Returning from not one but two Achilles tears, Akers has played well enough to earn a roster spot, rushing for 112 yards (4.7 YPA) and catching eight targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. However, it's hard to see the Texans giving up on Dameon Pierce despite a lackluster preseason (nine yards on eight carries).

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell | A 2016 first-round pick, Treadwell surprised during the preseason, catching 10 of 11 targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. The receiver room in Indy is crowded, but the eight-year vet has earned a spot and could be an invaluable resource for younger wideouts Josh Downs and rookies Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Safety Terrell Edmunds | Picked up in the offseason, the six-year veteran played well during the preseason, earning a solid 89.6 coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus. He has an uphill battle, especially considering cornerbacks Darnell Savage, Jarrian Jones and Christian Braswell are versatile enough to play safety, but he could sneak onto the roster.

TENNESSEE TITANS | Cornerback Caleb Farley | Farley has battled injuries, including a torn ACL during his rookie year, and did not play last season because of a back injury. Back healthy for the first time since 2022, the former first-round pick could turn his career around. L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, Roger McCreary and rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. seem locked into roles, so Farley could be a long shot. — Mike Santa Barbara