5 NFL Roster Cuts That Teams Could Regret in 2025 Season

NFL teams trimmed down rosters to 53 players, and a handful of those cuts left glaring holes and created question marks.

General managers had to make tough decisions, and some of them will come back to bite their teams during the regular season.

Let's take a look at five roster cuts that raise the most concerns.

All five players listed below could've had a significant impact with the teams that released them, but they may flourish elsewhere after being claimed off waivers or remain free agents.

Atlanta Falcons: S Jordan Fuller

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

S Jordan Fuller

The Atlanta Falcons have three safeties on their 53-man roster, which makes the team's decision to cut Jordan Fuller questionable, barring an addition at the position.

Though defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will call plays, Fuller is familiar with head coach Raheem Morris, who has some influence over the defense. Also, the versatile safety has experience in the slot and would've been an upgrade over Dee Alford.

In 2024, Alford allowed a 117.9 passer rating and eight touchdowns in coverage. As a starting safety, Fuller struggled within the Carolina Panthers' historically poor defense, but he allowed a passer rating below 87 in his last two campaigns with the Rams between 2022 and 2023.

Jessie Bates III, Xavier Watts and DeMarcco Hellams are a solid trio, though Fuller could've been a valuable chess piece in the secondary.

Editor's note: The Atlanta Falcons signed Jordan Fuller to their active roster after this was published.

Dallas Cowboys: DB Israel Mukuamu

AP Photo/Wally Skalij

DB Israel Mukuamu

The Dallas Cowboys parted ways with a homegrown talent in Israel Mukuamu, who has the skill set to play multiple positions.

In 2022, Mukuamu briefly earned a spot in the starting rotation, logging 17 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, splitting time between safety and slot cornerback. Though he reverted to a reserve role thereafter, the 25-year-old had been a core special teamer since Dallas selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.

The Cowboys lost nickelback Jourdan Lewis in free agency. So, DaRon Bland is set to move into the slot where he took most of his snaps as a rookie in 2022. Dallas could've kept him on the boundary and given Mukuamu a shot at the nickelback job.

The Cowboys' decision to cut Mukuamu may be a byproduct of changes within their defensive coaching staff or an underestimation of his potential.

Indianapolis Colts: CB JuJu Brents

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Dolphins CB JuJu Brents

When the Indianapolis Colts look back on the 2025 offseason, the front office may realize it gave up on JuJu Brents too soon.

The Colts selected Brents in the second round of the 2023 draft. As a rookie, he registered 43 tackles, six pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

However, Brents has been plagued by injuries.

In two campaigns, the 25-year-old missed 23 outings and sat out all but two games last season because of a knee injury. Perhaps the Colts didn't see a clear pathway for his recovery and rise up the depth chart due to his extended absence.

Nonetheless, Brents has intriguing size (6'3", 198 lbs) and flashed the ability to contribute on the pro level in his first term. Of course, he has to stay healthy, and if that happens, the third-year pro could make an impact with the Miami Dolphins, who claimed him off waivers on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Rams: CB Derion Kendrick

AP Photo

Seahawks CB Derion Kendrick

The Los Angeles Rams cut Derion Kendrick, an 18-game starter, weakening their depth at a position with average starters.

In 2024, Darious Williams allowed a 101.7 passer rating in coverage. Ahkello Witherspoon was decent, permitting a 96.9 passer rating, but he's played through a full season once in eight years.

Cobie Durant has upside, though Emmanuel Forbes is a former first-round reclamation project.

The Rams don't have enough margin for error at cornerback to release a player with starting experience on the boundary.

Kendrick missed the entire 2024 campaign because of a torn ACL, but he logged 10 pass breakups and an interception as a starter in 12 out of 17 games during the 2023 term. The Seattle Seahawks claimed him off waivers.

Miami Dolphins: TE Pharaoh Brown

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

TE Pharaoh Brown

Darren Waller had an extensive injury history before his retirement in 2024. If he misses time this year, the Miami Dolphins don't have the depth to fill his void.

Between 2021 and 2023, Waller missed 19 games because of injuries. Entering his age-33 term, he's unlikely to play through a full season. The Dolphins need an experienced backup to take on some of the snaps at tight end.

Pharaoh Brown isn't a prolific pass-catcher who can compensate for Waller's receiving production, but early in his career, he performed well in his blocking assignments.

Primary backup Julian Hill has played less than 49 percent of offensive snaps in two seasons. Third-stringer Tanner Conner has played just 70 career offensive snaps.

While Brown's departure isn't a huge loss, he could've been a stabilizing asset for a shaky, unproven tight end unit.

Preseason statistics are provided by CBS Sports.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.