2025 NFL Roster Cuts: Predicting the Biggest Names Who Could Hit the Market

While it may be hard to believe, the 2025 NFL preseason is already winding down. The final exhibition games will be played on Saturday, and rosters must be trimmed to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on August 26.

Over the next week, teams will make some incredibly difficult roster decisions. As a result, several former starters, high draft picks and seasoned vets will find themselves back on the open market. Some will quickly find new homes on active rosters or practice squads, while others will loom as potential in-season injury replacements.

Here, you'll find 10 of the biggest names who could soon hit the market, based on recent production, contract implications, health, positional value, team fit, roster makeup and any other situation-specific factors.

Denico Autry, DE, Houston Texans

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

One reason why good players get released in late August is the NFL's salary-cap parameters. During the offseason, only the top 51 contracts count against the salary cap. Once rosters flip to the active 53-player limits, all count. This is why the Houston Texans, who currently have $11.5 million in cap space, need to cut $26.6 million in salary by cutdown day.

This is also why veteran defensive end Denico Autry could be out. Even after restructuring Autry's contract in March, Houston still stands to save $5.1 million by releasing the 35-year-old.

While a team with Super Bowl aspirations like Houston can't have too much pass-rushing depth, the Texans have a terrific tandem in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Given the cap situation, Houston may decide that Autry's salary is too rich for a complementary pass-rusher.

While Autry had just three sacks in 2024 and was sidelined by a knee injury to open camp, he should draw interest if released. He recorded at least 7.5 sacks per season between 2021 and 2023, with 36 sacks over that span.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

The Green Bay Packers used two of their first three draft picks on wide receivers, taking Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in Rounds 1 and 3, respectively. The addition of the youngsters almost certainly means that an incumbent receiver or two will be out.

Assuming the Packers keep six wide receivers—which is what they had on their initial 2024 roster—Mecole Hardman, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath, Cornelius Johnson, Will Sheppard and Isaiah Neyor could be competing for just four roster spots. Christian Watson is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a torn ACL.

Of the Packers receivers who could realistically be cut, Doubs is the most noteworthy. He's been an impactful pass-catcher at times and has recorded 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns through three seasons. However, he's also struggled with drops (22 in 43 games) and might not be in Green Bay's long-term plans.

Doubs, who is scheduled to be a free agent in 2026, should interest teams with less-promising receiver depth. Green Bay would save $3.4 million in cap space by cutting him.

Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos has been a solid contributor throughout his NFL career. In 11 games last season, his first with the San Francisco 49ers, the 27-year-old recorded 19 tackles, four sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.

However, Gross-Matos was sidelined by a knee injury to open training camp and could have a hard time securing a spot among a crowded roster.

Earlier this offseason, the 49ers used a first-round pick on Mykel Williams and acquired Bryce Huff in a post-draft trade. Nick Bosa still headlines the defensive end group, and San Francisco recently signed William Bradley-King.

Other franchises might have an easier time justifying Gross-Matos' $7.4 million base salary, given his past production in a rotational role. However, the 49ers made it a point to purge salary this offseason and could save $7.8 million by releasing him.

DeMarvin Leal, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping they can make a deep playoff run with Aaron Rodgers this season. Therefore, they can ill-afford to keep players who don't contribute, regardless of their draft pedigree.

Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal was a 2022 third-round pick who has gotten legitimate opportunities (432 career snaps) but struggled to make an impact (33 career tackles). He appeared in just five games last season before suffering a season-ending neck injury and may not get to play out his rookie contract.

After adding first-round pick Derrick Harmon, the Steelers are fairly full along their defensive front. This has led to Pittsburgh giving Leal a shot at outside linebacker, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show.

The problem for Leal is that, with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer leading the group, Pittsburgh is pretty deep at outside linebacker too.

The Steelers would save $1.4 million in cap space by cutting Leal, which would leave a promising but unproven defender looking for work.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Teams in need of running back help should keep an eye on the Denver Broncos over the next week. There's a good chance that Denver's best back from a year ago fails to make the roster.

Jaleel McLaughlin didn't lead the Broncos in rushing last season. However, he was the most efficient ball-carrier in the backfield among players who saw more than a handful of rushes. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and tallied 572 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns.

The problem for McLaughlin is the numbers game. Denver used a 2024 fifth-round pick on Audric Estimé, signed J.K. Dobins in April and then drafted RJ Harvey in the second round.

While Denver kept four running backs on its initial 53-player roster last year, there's no guarantee that it will this year—or that McLaughlin will outlast Tyler Badie and Blake Watson. Cutting McLaughlin would save $1 million.

Tommy DeVito, QB, New York Giants

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

We'll see quite a few quarterbacks hit the market at the end of the month, though experienced backups tend to stick. However, it's hard to envision the New York Giants keeping Tommy DeVito for another year.

Russell Wilson has essentially been entrenched as the starter since signing this offseason, and New York also added a high-end backup in Jameis Winston. Rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart isn't going anywhere, so DeVito will almost certainly be the odd man out.

Teams in need of quarterback depth should be on notice. DeVito never threatened to become a full-time starter for the Giants. However, he started eight games over the past two seasons and played at a respectable level (88.4 QB rating) for a bridge quarterback.

The 27-year-old has long-term backup potential. While the Giants may hope to stash him on their practice squad, it'd be surprising to see him clear waivers.

Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Edge-rusher Azeez Ojulari has shown flashes during his four years in the NFL and still has the upside of a quality rotational rusher. A 2021 second-round pick of the Giants, Ojulari has recorded 22 sacks and 66 quarterback pressures in 46 career games.

Now with the Eagles, Ojulari has a chance to fit into a rotation that lost two contributors in the offseason. Josh Sweat departed in free agency before Philly traded Bryce Huff. The problem is that the Eagles also added Josh Uche this offseason, and the former New England Patriot quickly moved into a role behind Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr.

The Eagles also drafted Antwaun Powell-Ryland and signed Ogbonnia Okoronkwo just before the start of camp. According to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Okoronkwo has also grabbed some attention in camp.

"He's flashed lately," Frank wrote. "...So far, Josh Uche is the third edge behind Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, and Okoronkwo is probably next."

The Eagles may decide that saving $1.5 million in cap space is better than keeping Ojulari as a deep reserve. That doesn't mean, though, that he can't flourish elsewhere with a fresh opportunity.

Kenny Pickett, QB, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

The Cleveland Browns have publicly said that they're open to keeping four quarterbacks on the active roster. However, the Browns don't need three guys standing around with clipboards on Sundays and they need to clear $15.5 million in salary by cutdown day.

Cutting Kenny Pickett would save $2.6 million in cap space, which is a significant amount for a spare quarterback. And that's what Pickett may be by the time Cleveland's four-way QB competition has ended.

Joe Flacco remains the most likely candidate to start in Week 1, and the Browns probably aren't moving off of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland has already turned down trade offers for Gabriel this offseason, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer. Sanders fared well enough in his preseason debut to justify a longer look,

Pickett, who has missed time with a hamstring injury, could easily be the odd man out. However, he'll undoubtedly interest QB-needy teams if he reaches the market.

A 2022 first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickett has 25 starts on his resume, including one quality start (119.6 QB rating) last season with the Eagles. While he often struggled in Pittsburgh, it's worth noting that he dealt with a mediocre receiving corps and a bland Matt Canada offense during his time there.

Cole Strange, OL, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Patriots offensive lineman Cole Strange is mostly notable for being a surprising first-round pick in the 2022 draft. The Chattanooga product didn't appear to be on anyone's first-round radar, though former Patriots coach Bill Belichick insisted he wasn't a reach.

"He wouldn't have lasted much longer," Belichick said, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

With the Patriots now on their second post-Belichick head coach, Strange may not last much longer in New England. The 29-game starter appears to have already lost his job to rookie Jared Wilson and isn't likely to emerge in another starting role.

According to Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston (h/t NESN's Jay Pritchard), Strange was working as the backup center while Garrett Bradbury was sidelined, suggesting he'll be buried on the depth chart as long as Bradbury remains healthy.

New England has already declined the fifth-year option on Strange's contract, and cutting the final year of his contract would save $2.4 million in cap space. It would also send a promising former first-round pick to the open market.

Cordell Volson, OL, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Teams need experienced offensive line depth, which is why they'll have an eye on Cordell Volson if he hits the market. A 2022 fourth-round pick out of North Dakota State, Volson has appeared in 50 games for the Cincinnati Bengals with 48 starts. The problem is that, like Cincinnati's line as a whole, Volson has often struggled in pass protection.

Pro Football Focus graded Volson 97th among guards in pass protection last season.

This offseason, the Bengals signed Lucas Patrick and used a third-round pick on Dylan Fairchild, which has left Volson without a defined role. According to Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media, Cincinnati has given Volson some reps at center with the second team.

If Volson shows the ability to play multiple spots along the interior well enough, the Bengals will likely keep him for depth. If he doesn't, though, they could save $2.5 million in cap space by cutting him.

Such a move would be far from unprecedented for the Bengals. Last offseason, Cincinnati waived 2021 second-round pick Jackson Carman.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.