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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
More must-reads:
- Browns make major decision on RB Nick Chubb
- Did Chiefs reunite with former Pro Bowl WR to prepare for Rashee Rice suspension?
- The '2024-25 NFL TD catch leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Troubling report surfaces on Patriots' first-round rookie
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might not feel comfortable with his blindside protection early in the upcoming season. Following troubles at left tackle in 2024, the Patriots invested in the position by drafting LSU standout Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick in April's draft. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Campbell has been trending down at training camp this summer. "All eyes are on him every practice, which is a tough spot for a rookie," Graff wrote of Campbell. "So far, he’s been about what you’d expect from a rookie. He has some strong moments, particularly in the running game. But there have been struggles in the passing game. He’s been beaten for a sack in just about every practice, which isn’t great considering he’s usually on the field each practice for only 15 or so passing plays in full-team drills. "He tends to get beaten to the inside after oversetting, and it probably doesn’t help that the Pats don’t yet know who their left guard is next to him. Still, extrapolate those numbers, and that’s allowing two sacks each NFL game if you throw the ball 30 times. Not great." Graff believes the future is "bright" for Campbell, but doesn't think he will be a top-20 left tackle in 2025. NFL scouts had questions before the draft about Campbell's 32⅝ inch (or 33 inches, depending on whether one believes the league or LSU) arm length. Some suggested he'd be better suited to play guard in the league than left tackle. If Campbell continues to give up sacks, the Patriots might consider moving the 21-year-old to the interior part of the offensive line. Per OurLads, Campbell is projected to win the left tackle starting job for Week 1. If Campbell doesn't develop quickly in the preseason, Maye's progress as a thrower in the pocket could take a hit in the upcoming season.
Warriors-Suns Jonathan Kuminga Trade Update Emerges After $90 Million Offer
The Golden State Warriors remain in a stalemate with Jonathan Kuminga. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer sheet a team signs him to. However, that hasn't stopped teams from trying to acquire Kuminga. Among the teams that have pushed hard for Kuminga are the Phoenix Suns. ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported on Wednesday that the Suns have tried to acquire Kuminga. In fact, they have made "the most lucrative push via sign-and-trade" for Kuminga. The Suns can acquire players via sign-and-trade after waiving and stretching the last two years of Bradley Beal's contract. Doing so got them under the NBA's first tax apron, which permits them to do so. However, completing a sign-and-trade requires a willing trade partner to make it happen. While the Suns remain interested in Kuminga, pulling off a trade will be tricky for them because the Warriors aren't interested in what the Suns have offered for him. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that sign-and-trade talks have gone nowhere because the Warriors don't want what the Suns are offering. "Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner," Amick wrote. "So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer." The Warriors have all the leverage because, with Kuminga as a restricted free agent, they don't have to agree to a sign-and-trade with the Suns or anyone else if the offer holds little appeal to them.
'I see a clear role for him' — Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell speaks highly of new defender who's having a great training camp
The cornerback position for the Minnesota Vikings has seen a lot of questions over the last few months. Arguably the biggest one is whether or not the Vikings added enough talent to really make the Super Bowl run. Through the first week and a half of training camp, it looks to be the right decision by the Vikings. Their depth at cornerback has been really impressive, leaving a lot more confidence in the cornerback group than we had previously. The biggest standout has been Jeff Okudah, which was a fascinating addition in real time. During his press conference on Friday, head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about Okudah's performance in training camp, and he also raved about him. "You guys probably felt it. I mean, when he gets up and presses, you know, at that line of scrimmage and wins that early fight in the down, you don't see him lose very much, you know, when he gets his hands on people. I think I've been probably surprised. I actually got a chance to spend some time with him many years ago, at Ohio State, went for the pro day. A friend of mine, who happens to be the coordinator up in Green Bay now, was the coordinator there, and I got to spend some time with Jeff. And just remember thinking to myself, This guy is going to be a top-five pick. I mean, felt like he was as tall as I was, you know, big, strong, fast, and then he was and we're very fortunate to have him. I see a clear role for him. Not all corners in our defense play the same spots, play the same roles, so to think that we're going to have him in a role we feel pretty strongly about, it's great to see him take it and run with it early on, because I think he's had a phenomenal camp. And I hope you know that'd be a good question for Flo [Brian Flores]. You probably asked him already, but I know flow in my dialog about Jeff has been really positive early on." The line from O'Connell talking about how they see a clear role for him resonates hard here. The Vikings have done a good job in putting players in position to be successful. Okudah's role is likely going to be similar to what Shaquill Griffin's was last year. The biggest difference between Okudah and Griffin? The former can run with really fast wide receivers. Will Okudah end up being a quality starter for the Vikings? That remains to be seen, but it's certainly possible, especially with how well the coaching staff is talking about him.
Surprising update emerges about Jayson Tatum’s recovery
Jayson Tatum may be giving a glimmer of hope right now to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics star Tatum, who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, was reportedly moving well while working out at Chris Paul’s CP3 Elite Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, this week (per Heavy.com’s Steve Bulpett). Bulpett adds that the possibility of Tatum rejoining the Celtics late in the 2025-26 regular season has not been ruled out at this point. “He was moving really well,” an unnamed NBA scout was quoted as saying about Tatum. “There might have been a slight limp or something, but the surprising thing to me is that he didn’t have a boot for any of it. I’m no doctor, but I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles’ tears, and he looked way ahead. I was kind of shocked to see how well he was moving.” You can read Bulpett’s full report about the Tatum situation here. The six-time All-Star Tatum suffered an Achilles rupture during the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks in mid-May (video here). That means he is still only about two-and-a-half months removed from the injury and subsequent surgery. Achilles tears generally take about nine to 12 months to recover from, which would put Tatum around mid-February of next year at the absolute earliest. But it is certainly encouraging that he is already working out with a boot, and it should also help that Tatum is still only 27 years old as he embarks on his rehab. Of course, Tatum’s return to the floor will also be influenced by how the Celtics perform next season. Boston parted ways with some prominent players this offseason in an apparent effort to punt on the 2025-26 campaign and create financial flexibility. Thus, they obviously won’t push Tatum to an early return if the season is already a lost cause.
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