Taylor Rapp, Cedric Tillman Jr., and Early NFL Cuts Who Should Be on Teams' Radar Ahead of Deadline

With the NFL preseason winding down and the 2026 regular season rapidly approaching, teams are scrambling to fine-tune their depth charts.

Teams have until 6 p.m. ET on Sunday to cut their 90-man offseason rosters down to 53 players, and some have gotten an early jump on the deadline.

Unsurprisingly, the list of early cuts—and players who are expected to be cut—includes many NFL hopefuls who will land on practice squads or bide their time as street free agents.

However, some experienced veterans have suddenly become available and ready to help a new team in 2026.

Here, we'll examine the most notable early cuts, what they could provide with a change of scenery, and any relevant recent buzz surrounding them.

WR Noah Brown

AP Photo/Nick Wass

On Monday, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that they had released wide receiver Noah Brown. The veteran pass-catcher lasted just over a week with Las Vegas, and he apparently failed to impress enough to stick.

While the 30-year-old didn't mesh with a Raiders team looking to skew young, he could be a strong addition to a contender in need of veteran depth. Brown played just four games with the Washington Commanders last season because of groin and rib injuries. However, the previous season, he caught 35 passes for 453 yards and a touchdown.

In all, Brown has appeared in 91 regular-season games and caught 151 passes for 2,083 yards. He'd make a ton of sense for a playoff hopeful that has employed him before, like Washington or the Houston Texans.

Logical Landing Spots: Houston Texans, Washington Commanders

OL Cody Ford

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Offensive lineman Cody Ford has logged snaps at left guard, right guard and offensive tackle since entering the NFL as a 2019 second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills.

He spent the last three years as one of the Cincinnati Bengals' primary backups. While he hasn't been a full-time starter since his rookie season, he has appeared in 99 regular-season games overall.

The Bengals are releasing Ford, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

While the Bengals have decided to go in a different direction with their line depth, Ford's experience and positional versatility make the 29-year-old an attractive option for rebuilding teams and contenders alike.

Practically any team in the midst of an offensive-line overhaul should have some level of interest in Ford.

Logical Landing Spots: Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans

RB Jerome Ford

AP PhotoNick Wass

After four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, running back Jerome Ford made his way to the Commanders this offseason. However, Washington also added Rachaad White and rookie Kaytron Allen behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt, meaning Ford faced an uphill battle to make the roster.

After he suffered a hamstring injury, Ford was waived with an injury settlement, according to ESPN's John Keim.

Naturally, teams will want to know that Ford is healthy before making any contract offers, but the 2022 fifth-round pick should have a lot of value as a depth player. He topped 1,100 scrimmage yards with the Browns in 2023, and he has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over the course of his career. He also won't turn 27 until next month.

If healthy, Ford would be a great insurance policy and change-of-pace back for a potential playoff team with a lack of proven RB depth.

Logical Landing Spots: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers

S Will Harris

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

The Commanders signed safety Will Harris to a two-year deal last offseason, but he missed nearly half of the season with a fractured fibula. Washington announced on Tuesday that it had released Harris.

Some teams will undoubtedly be concerned with Harris' age (30), recent injury, and level of play in 2025 (117.1 opposing quarterback rating). However, others will be intrigued by his positional versatility and past performances.

Harris has played free safety, strong safety, cornerback, and nickelback. With the New Orleans Saints in 2024, he made 13 starts and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 79.4.

New Orleans is one of two former employers that would make sense for Harris. The other is the Detroit Lions, who are dealing with multiple injuries at safety. Kerby Joseph is battling a knee issue, while Brian Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles. Offseason addition Christian Izien has an undisclosed injury and could miss the start of the regular season.

"I don't know if we will have him for the opener or not," head coach Dan Campbell said of Izien.

Logical Landing Spots: Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints

CB Nick McCloud

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Cornerback Nick McCloud signed with the Miami Dolphins on August 10, but he didn't stick with the rebuilding team for long. They announced that they had released the 28-year-old defender on August 22.

A 2021 free agent out of Notre Dame, McCloud has logged starts with the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears. While he's never been a high-end defender—he has allowed an opposing QB rating of 114.9 during his career—he has appeared in 63 games with 20 starts and has also contributed on special teams.

Most teams looking for experienced depth in the secondary and on special teams should at least consider McCloud. However, he might be the most intriguing to a team with schematic familiarity at this point in the offseason. A Bears reunion could make sense, as could a reunion with Colts defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson.

Henderson was New York's DB coach during McCloud's career-best 2023 campaign (17 games, 72.4 opposing QB rating).

Logical Landing Spots: Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts

S Taylor Rapp

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Safety Taylor Rapp started 24 games for the Bills over the past three seasons, but he was limited to only six games in 2025 by a knee injury that required surgery.

The 28-year-old signed with the Denver Broncos on August 20, but they released him less than a week later.

However, there is a chance that Rapp returns to Denver in the near future. Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters that the safety needed to attend to a personal matter and is a strong candidate to re-sign (h/t Zac Stevens of DNVR).

The Broncos already have a loaded defense. However, they should be interested in bringing back Rapp, who has made 72 starts while allowing an opposing passer rating of 91.0 in his career and who has experience at both strong and free safety. Other teams with questionable safety depth should have an eye on Rapp, too.

Logical Landing Spots: Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions

WR Cedric Tillman Jr.

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

The Cleveland Browns used two of their first three picks in the 2026 draft on receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.

With those two in the fold, Cleveland decided it doesn't have room for 2023 third-rounder Cedric Tillman Jr.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Browns will release Tillman.

The Tennessee product recorded just 833 yards in three seasons with the Browns, though it's worth noting he often played in an underwhelming Cleveland offense.

The 26-year-old is still a promising 6'3", 215-pound pass-catcher who did periodically flash for the Browns.

Tillman had 330 yards and three touchdowns in a five-game stretch late in 2024 before suffering a season-ending concussion.

Rebuilding teams with a lack of proven receiver depth should be willing to take a flier on Tillman.

Logical Landing Spots: Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins