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NFL roster cutdown tracker: What’s next for Malachi Corley, Trent Brown, and other big names after their release?
NFL cutdown day has arrived , and as always, several big-name players will be released, signed, or traded as teams finalise their 53-man rosters.
I'll track the notable names who are on the move, updating this article throughout the day with what it means for the teams and the players involved.
- Read more | The NFL 53-man roster cutdown deadline is fast approaching: Here's everything you need to know
- Read more | Spencer Rattler vs Tyler Shough: New Orleans Saints' quarterback battle remains neck-and-neck
New York Jets release wide receiver Malachi Corley
Corley was a human highlight reel during his four years at Western Kentucky.
Unfortunately, his release comes after an underwhelming rookie season, marred by reports of immaturity and entitlement off the field , and head-scratching mistakes on it.
What it means for the Jets
The Jets will face criticism for investing an early pick in a player who didn't meet expectations.
However, they deserve a degree of credit for not drawing the situation out and instead creating an opening for fourth-round rookie Arian Smith to become more involved.
What's next for Corley
If the damning reports are true about Corley's off-field attitude, he must adopt a change of mindset, turn things around, and use his undeniable talent to impress whatever team takes a gamble on him.
Houston Texans release offensive tackle Trent Brown
Brown, once considered one of the premier pass-blocking offensive tackles in the league, is reportedly being released by the Texans.
What it means for the Texans
Brown, 32, was on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after tearing his patella tendon last year.
His signing was a gamble that never paid off, and with the Texans rumoured to be trading Cam Robinson , it appears that Tytus Howard and rookie Aireontae Ersery will start at offensive tackle.
What's next for Brown
Brown may be the player he once was, but starting-calibre offensive tackles are few and far between.
Unless he has suffered a setback in his recovery, Brown will be on another roster before long.
New York Giants release tight end Greg Dulcich
Greg Dulcich, once a breakout candidate after a promising rookie year with the Denver Broncos, is reportedly being waived by the Giants.
What it means for the Giants
As noted elsewhere, seventh-round rookie Thomas Fidone has impressed enough to carve out a roster spot this year.
Theo Johnson, who flashed talent at times in his rookie campaign, is expected to be the starter in 2025. Daniel Bellinger is also in the mix for snaps.
What's next for Dulcich
Dulcich has struggled to remain healthy, but after hauling in seven catches for 53 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason, he'll almost certainly attract attention as a free agent.
Cleveland Browns release journeyman wide receiver Diontae Johnson
Few players have moved teams as often as 29-year-old wideout Johnson in recent years.
Now, after only four months with the Browns, Johnson will be part of their roster cuts, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
What it means for the Browns
Johnson's release, while not surprising, creates opportunities for youngsters Isaiah Bond and Jamari Thrash behind starters Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman.
What's next for Johnson
In 2024, while with the Carolina Panthers, Johnson showed brief glimpses of the talent that helped him earn a Pro Bowl nod earlier in his career .
Several teams need depth at wide receiver, but at this point in his career and after three years of declining production, it's reasonable to assume we've seen the best of Johnson.
Jacksonville Jaguars release linebacker Chad Muma
Muma, 26, was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Per PFF , he achieved the second-highest tackling grade among all Jaguars' linebackers last year.
Unfortunately for him, his efforts were not enough to secure a roster spot with Jacksonville in 2025.
What it means for the Jaguars
Jacksonville has ample depth at linebacker.
They have two clear starters in Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd, preferred Ventrell Miller over Muma for long stretches of last year, and invested a fourth-round pick in highly-rated rookie Jack Kiser.
What's next for Muma
Muma should quickly find a spot on another team, but his future as a starting linebacker is contingent on his ability to improve in coverage.
Las Vegas Raiders sign wide receiver Amari Cooper
Cooper, once considered among the NFL's best wide receivers, has reportedly signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal to return to the team that drafted him in 2015.
The move follows a report that Raiders wideout Jakobi Meyers requested a trade.
What it means for the Raiders
Las Vegas lacks proven playmakers at wide receiver. Cooper provides insurance for Meyers and can help to bridge the gap while promising rookies Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. continue to develop.
What's next for Cooper
Cooper, 31, looked like a shadow of his former self for the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills last season, but he has a chance to bounce back with Geno Smith at quarterback.
Cleveland Browns trade quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas sent a fifth-round pick to the Browns for Pickett, who will serve as insurance for new starter Geno Smith following the injury Aidan O'Connell suffered in the Raiders' preseason finale .
What it means for the Browns
While Cleveland suggested they were open to retaining four quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster, the promising preseason performances from Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders likely made Pickett expendable.
Cleveland named Joe Flacco the starting quarterback last week and must be comfortable with the idea of Gabriel or Sanders as backup options.
What it means for the Raiders
The trade also made sense for the Raiders. O'Connell is out for up to eight weeks , and rookie Cam Miller was not ready to be Smith's primary backup.
What's next for Pickett
A first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickett's career has been disappointing. He's still an injury away from playing, but at least he's the clear-cut backup until O'Connell recovers, which is more than we could say if he remained on the Browns' roster.
Detroit Lions release quarterback Hendon Hooker
Hooker struggled throughout the preseason, completing only 55% of his passes, throwing no touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The writing seemed on the wall for the 2023 third-round pick when head coach Dan Campbell, talking specifically about Hooker following the Lions' games against the Houston Texans last weekend, suggested some players need a "change of scenery. "
What it means for the Lions
Detroit now turns to 29-year-old journeyman Kyle Allen, who played significantly better than Hooker in the preseason, as the backup to Jared Goff.
What's next for Hooker?
The 27-year-old is subject to waivers, so he could yet land with another team. He's also a candidate for the Lions' practice squad.
New Orleans Saints release running back Cam Akers
Akers, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, was competing for a backup role behind Alvin Kamara.
Only two years removed from a season where he accounted for 903 scrimmage yards, Akers will be looking for his fourth team in three years following the move.
What it means for the Saints
Head coach Kellen Moore has been impressed with third-year back Kendre Miller, who he said has done a "phenomenal job. "
Miller should be Kamara's primary backup, with sixth-round rookie Devin Neal and former Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire providing depth.
What's next for Akers
Akers, 26, has not looked like the same player since suffering a second Achilles tear and may struggle to find a team.
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