16 NFC 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 NFC players whom Yardbarker NFL writers expect to survive Tuesday's cutdown date: 

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS | Cornerback Kemon Hall | Claimed off waivers in late July, Hall had a pick-six against the Raiders in the preseason, when, according to Pro Football Focus, he allowed only a 16.5 passer rating in 69 coverage snaps. His performance has caught the eye of head coach Mike McCarthy, who told reporters, "There's not too many days of practice where (Kemon Hall) doesn't make a highlight play."

NEW YORK GIANTS | Guard Jake Kubas | New York didn’t take an offensive lineman in this year’s draft, but it signed Kubas to a three-year contract with $270K guaranteed, the most it gave to any undrafted player this year. A three-year starter with North Dakota State, Kubas took second-team reps at left and right guard for most of camp and also got first-team reps in a recent joint practice with the Jets.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Offensive lineman Brett Toth | The 27-year-old can play anywhere on the line, but he has been released seven times by three separate NFL teams; the Eagles have released him four times. A first lieutenant in the U.S. Army with a degree in nuclear engineering, Toth is well-versed in offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s system. He spent most of camp working as the second-team center before filling in at right guard for an injured Mekhi Becton.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Safety Tyler Owens | The rookie free agent, listed as a fourth-string safety on the unofficial depth chart, stood out with eight tackles (all solo) in three preseason games. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound safety narrowly missed setting an unofficial world broad jump record (12 feet, 2 inches) at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Commanders should find a spot for a player with 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash and a knack for making big plays on special teams. — Bruce Ewing

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS | Wide receiver Xavier Weaver | The Cardinals added Weaver as an undrafted free agent, giving him a surprisingly large $250K signing bonus coming out of Colorado. Even so, Weaver was going to need a big preseason to have a shot at the roster, but he may have solidified his spot with a strong preseason showing that included six catches for 95 yards.

LOS ANGELES RAMS | Cornerback Josh Wallace | The Rams overhauled their cornerback position in the offseason with Tre’Davious White and Darious Williams coming in as starters. But Wallace seems to have impressed enough as an undrafted free agent to earn a spot. He was not used in the team’s final preseason game, suggesting his spot might already be secure.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Tight end Jake Tonges | Tonges has mostly been a practice-squad player in the NFL since the start of the 2022 season, but he has made a strong impression this preseason. He caught every pass thrown his way (nine of them) in three preseason games and could provide solid — and surprising — depth behind starter George Kittle.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Cornerback Dee Williams | A wide receiver-turned-cornerback, Williams has been a dark horse to make the roster. He has the versatility to play offense (wide receiver), defense (cornerback) and special teams (kick and punt returner and gunner), which could give him an edge. — Adam Gretz

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS | Wide receiver Collin Johnson | It seems like the final receiver spot on the roster will come down to Johnson or Dante Pettis. And while Pettis has the edge in experience, Johnson’s size (6-foot-6 and 222 pounds) and breakout performance (three receptions, 56 yards, two touchdowns) in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game might work in his favor.

DETROIT LIONS | Wide receiver Isaiah Williams | The depth chart seems wide open behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and Williams has set himself apart, especially working out of the slot. He logged 11 receptions for 123 yards during three preseason games and showed his versatility as a return man as well, prompting head coach Dan Campbell to rave about his ability to make plays.

GREEN BAY PACKERS | Defensive end Arron Mosby | The 25-year-old pass-rusher has been a disruptive force during the preseason, logging a sack in Green Bay’s second game and a strip sack and an interception in its final contest. Mosby’s versatility as a special-teams player likely increases his chances of making the 53-man roster.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez | With a motor that doesn’t quit,  Rodriguez has established a reputation for playing through the whistle. Head coach Kevin O’Connell recently described his play as “controlled chaos.” — Michael Gallagher

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS | Cornerback Kevin King | Green Bay’s second-round pick of the 2017 NFL Draft is attempting a comeback following a two-year league absence. King intercepted Dolphins backup quarterback Skylar Thompson in Week 1 of the preseason, potentially sealing a spot as a backup on a talented defense.

CAROLINA PANTHERS | Tight end Jordan Matthews | A former wide receiver, Matthews was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and hasn’t made an NFL reception since Week 12 of the 2019 season. He made the transition to tight end last season after missing all of 2022 and just finished a solid preseason, tallying seven receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Running back Jacob Kibodi | The Saints might move on from frequently injured 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller, and Kibodi’s excellent Week 3 preseason performance against the Titans gave him a compelling case to fill out running back depth. Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims should be safe, but after Kibodi rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, the Saints might be forced to carry four backs.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Cornerback Keenan Isaac | A 2023 undrafted free agent, Isaac missed Tampa’s 53-man roster a season ago but was elevated to the active roster for two games. (He played 23 special-teams snaps, per Pro Football Focus.) Isaac was solid defensively this preseason as he vied for playing time at corner; in 57 coverage snaps, he was targeted twice, recording an interception and allowing one reception for one yard. — Eric Smithling