NFL Roster Cuts: Breakthrough Youngsters Who Drove Out Veteran Players

Monday marked the conclusion of the first round of NFL player cuts as teams across the league trimmed their 90-man rosters down to 75 in time for a 4 p.m. ET league-mandated deadline.

With less than two weeks remaining until most teams open the season on Sept. 9, this is the time in the NFL where jobs are won and lost. Although most of the names sent packing so far are relative unknowns, there were some notable veterans released on Monday.

As is always the case in the NFL, replacing those veterans will be breakthrough youngsters who flew up the depth chart in camp. 

Who are these young guys whose play forced out notable names? Here's a quick look at some of the best names so far. 

Golden Tate (WR, Seattle Seahawks)

Who He Drove Out: Terrell Owens

Most will point to fellow veteran wideout Braylon Edwards' stellar play in the preseason as to why T.O. no longer has employment. In reality, it's head coach Pete Carroll's willingness to go forward with Tate as his No. 3 receiver that is to blame.

Had Carroll disliked what he had seen from Tate so far in the offseason, Owens would still be on the roster. The 38-year-old former All-Pro is still a talented, hard-working player who seems desperate to do whatever is necessary to stay in the league.

However, top receiver Sidney Rice seems ready to play in the Week 1 opener, making T.O. expendable, as Tate has looked strong both catching the ball and in punt returns this preseason.

The former Notre Dame star was the team's second-round pick in 2010 and could be due for the hallowed third-year receiver bump after two middling campaigns in the league.

J.R. Sweezy (OG, Seattle Seahawks)

Who He Drove Out: Deuce Lutui 

A converted defensive tackle out of North Carolina State, Sweezy was supposed to come into Seattle as a long-term project player.

However, the seventh-round pick quickly ascended up the Seahawks' depth chart, impressing coaches with how quickly he adapted to his new position. The 23-year-old started two games at right guard during the preseason in place of John Moffitt and outworked Lutui for a spot as the team's top backup.

Sweezy's ascent leaves Lutui, an All-American at USC and second-round pick in 2006, looking for his fourth franchise in the past year. A stellar run-blocker, Lutui has struggled with weight and commitment issues, even losing a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals after failing a physical.

For Seattle, finding Sweezy late in April's draft represents a huge coup. He should fit right into the guard rotation and help shore up an offensive line that came into the preseason with some questions. 

Justin Tucker (K, Baltimore Ravens)

Who He Drove Out: Billy Cundiff

Despite a tenure that included a Pro Bowl appearance and many clutch kicks, most will remember Cundiff for how he ended his time in Baltimore. With the Ravens down 23-20 in the AFC championship game of last season's playoffs, Cundiff missed a 32-yard gimme that sent the Patriots to the Super Bowl and his team back to Baltimore empty-handed.

Regardless, the 32-year-old came into camp as the overwhelming favorite to beat out Tucker, an undrafted free agent out of Texas. It just didn't happen. Tucker came into camp and impressed the Ravens coaching staff with his massive leg and some surprising accuracy in the preseason.

Uninitiated fans will point to Cundiff's playoff failure as the reason behind his departure, but Tucker simply won the job by being a better kicker.