NFL Cuts 2016: Release Predictions for Some of League's Toughest Decisions

From rookies to longtime veterans, roster cuts are always a scary time for everyone in the NFL. As teams try to settle on a final roster before the season begins, noteworthy players will end up without a job.

Organizations are allowed to keep 90 players on their rosters for the first few weeks of the preseason before being forced to drop down to 75 after Week 3. The deadline to lose these 15 players is Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. ET.

It is just one step before eventually cutting down to 53 players for the regular-season roster. Whether it is due to injury concerns, too high of a salary or simply poor performance, here are some notable names that could end up being cut before the start of the 2016 season.

Matt Elam, S, Baltimore Ravens

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The Baltimore Ravens have been known for their great drafting ability, especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, Matt Elam might be one first-round pick who doesn't make it through his rookie contract.

After losing his starting job during his second season in the league, Elam missed all of 2015 with a torn bicep. The safety knew how important it was to get off to a good start in 2016, per Ryan Mink of the team's official site:

"

This is my last chance, my last go-round.

I've been here for three years, didn't live up to what I wanted to live up to. It's my chance to prove everybody wrong and prove it to myself. This is it, do or die, winner take all. Every day is a championship game for me.

"

Elam might not even get that last chance after suffering a knee injury that would require arthroscopic surgery. As Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com noted, the injury could signal the end of his time with the Ravens.

"[General Manager] Ozzie [Newsome] will deal with it rosterwise however he decides to deal with it," head coach John Harbaugh said, per Hensley.

This isn't exactly a vote of confidence from the head coach, who hasn't seen enough to defend his player with a roster spot.

Baltimore already has solid starting options at safety after signing Eric Weddle to join Lardarius Webb in the secondary. Keeping Elam would only be for depth, something it will be missing with an open roster spot until the young player is healthy.

It's an unfortunate situation, but the odds aren't in his favor.

Justin Gilbert, CB, Cleveland Browns

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It's rare to see a team give up on a top-10 pick after just two years, but Justin Gilbert is giving the Cleveland Browns every reason to cut him.

As the No. 8 pick in the 2014 draft, scouts loved Gilbert's combination of size (6'0"), athleticism and playmaking ability with the ball. Unfortunately, he hasn't turned that into quality play on the field.

Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton provided harsh criticism of the 24-year-old cornerback:

Gilbert has made just three starts in his two seasons in the league and managed just four tackles and zero interceptions in nine games last year. Stats don't always tell the story with defensive backs, but he has made little impact in the NFL to this stage.

Meanwhile, Cleveland has shown it isn't afraid to part with high draft picks under the new administration. The team announced a trade of former first-round pick Barkevious Mingo on Thursday, making Gilbert one of the few high picks still left on the roster.

That could change before the start of the regular season.

Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys

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A year ago, Darren McFadden was the Dallas Cowboys' leading rusher with 1,089 yards, marking just the second 1,000-yard rushing season in the veteran's career.

However, things change quickly in the NFL.

Dallas selected Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the draft and expect him to take on the majority of carries. The team also added Alfred Morris, who rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in the second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News discussed the problem for McFadden going forward:

The 28-year-old running back has missed much of the preseason with an elbow injury, which isn't helping his case that he should keep his roster spot. Lance Dunbar will also likely be on the roster while sixth-round pick Darius Jackson might also enter the equation.

It is simply a numbers crunch that doesn't work favorably for McFadden, who could be the odd man out when the season begins.

Geno Smith, QB, New York Jets

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This would be a relative surprise, especially considering head coach Todd Bowles recently announced Geno Smith was his clear No. 2 quarterback, according to Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press.

At the moment, Smith might legitimately be the second-best option for the team if projected starter Ryan Fitzpatrick is unable to play. However, there are still too many quarterbacks on the roster.

Fitzpatrick isn't going anywhere after re-signing to be the team's starter in 2016. The same could be said about Christian Hackenberg, who is too raw to play but was taken in the second round of the draft and considered the quarterback of the future.

This likely leaves Smith and Bryce Petty battling for one more spot, assuming the Jets don't keep four quarterbacks on the roster.

We know what Smith can be at this point. The former second-round pick has played in 31 games (29 starts) and has just 27 touchdowns to go with 35 interceptions. His 57.9 completion percentage is also not ideal.

Meanwhile, Petty continues to shine when he gets a chance, including the most recent preseason game when he threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions against the Washington Redskins. The competition was questionable, but he possesses the upside Smith has never shown at the NFL level.

If the Jets decide Petty is a better fit on the roster, Smith will be gone.

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