Three NFL veterans who could be cut before Sunday’s roster deadline

Tim Patrick, New York Jets

Tim Patrick once looked like a player Denver could build around. Consecutive seasons with more than 700 receiving yards had him heading in the right direction.

Then came a torn ACL in 2022 and a torn Achilles in 2023. Patrick lost two full seasons and has not rediscovered his old role.

The Jets took a chance on him this offseason, giving the 32-year-old receiver a one-year contract. His size remains useful. At 6-foot-5, Patrick can work the middle of the field and give a quarterback a large target near the goal line.

New York must decide if that is enough.

Garrett Wilson is the clear No. 1 receiver, and the roster includes Adonai Mitchell and rookies Omar Cooper and Isaiah Williams. ESPN’s final Jets roster projection noted that Patrick was not guaranteed a place.

Patrick can still play. He simply joined a team with younger choices and only so many jobs available.

Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders

Aidan O’Connell has already started 17 NFL games. That usually sounds like a useful backup quarterback.

Las Vegas may not see it that way.

O’Connell has completed 62.6 percent of his career passes, throwing 20 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Those numbers are decent. They also came across three seasons in which he never did enough to claim the starting job for good.

The Raiders now have a new regime without much loyalty to a fourth-round pick from 2023. If the coaching staff is satisfied with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, keeping O’Connell would mean sacrificing a spot at receiver, defensive back or another position where extra bodies are needed.

He could have more value as a trade piece than a third quarterback. Several teams have shaky backup situations, and finding a player with legitimate starting experience after final cuts is not easy.

O’Connell may still make the team. Of the three players here, he probably has the best chance.

Still, Sunday could produce a harsh reminder: Experience helps on cutdown weekend, but it does not come with a key to the building.