NFL Cuts 2015: Predictions for Likeliest Big-Name Releases Before Season

One of the staples of the oft-labeled-meaningless NFL preseason is cuts. 

The nature of the business decrees teams whittle away at rosters throughout the preseason before a major reduction with the regular season on tap. This creates quick turnover, as most players except the best of the best must re-earn their roster spots year after year.

This year seems especially interesting after two consecutive years of what most hail as deep draft classes. Sprinkle in some underperformers, odd contracts dished out by front offices and more, and it's something worth watching. 

Below, let's peg down some of the most notable names sure to head out the door. 

Predicting Likeliest Big-Name Releases

Trent Richardson, RB, Oakland Raiders

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

There was a time when Trent Richardson rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns in a season.

It was 2012, the perfect example of how fast things change in the NFL.

Richardson has bounced around the league due to his plodding ways, having still never averaged four yards a carry in a season. He's now with the Oakland Raiders, a team with a front office full of decision-makers who saw fit to give him $600,000 in guaranteed money, per Spotrac.

In two preseason games, Richardson has 23 yards on 10 carries. With Latavius Murray, Roy Helu and Taiwan Jones as proven backs, it's beginning to look like Richardson will be out of a job by the regular season. 

To be fair, Oakland was smart to take the risk. It's a gamble great teams take without hesitation on the chance things turn around for the 25-year-old back. So far, though, this outcome looks obvious.

Andy Levitre, G, Tennessee Titans

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

There was a time when Andy Levitre was one of the league's most respected guards. 

Now, he's not a starter in a preseason contest.

The Oregon State product's decline hasn't been difficult to track. In 2013, he ranked as the No. 13 guard in the league at Pro Football Focus after years in the top 10. Last year, he plummeted to No. 45.

He told Jim Wyatt of Titans Online about his future: "I am on the team, so I'd love to stay. But it's above my pay grade. [My mindset] is to do the best that I can and see how things shake out from there."

The Titans owe Levitre at least $7.8 million in each of the next four seasons, so it's doubtful the front office will want to pay him starter cash while he sits on the bench.

Levitre might be a high-upside pickup once on the market, because it seems a lock his time in Tennessee is almost up.

Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

The Jacksonville Jaguars wanted more explosiveness at tight end and went out and got it this offseason with former Denver Broncos star Julius Thomas. 

As a result, 2006 first-round pick Marcedes Lewis wound up needing to take a pay cut in order to keep his job. He sounds willing to do whatever it takes to stick around, too, per the team on Twitter: 

After missing 13 games over the past two seasons, Lewis just hasn't been able to contribute meaningful numbers. His career-high 88 targets and 10 touchdowns in 2010 seem forever ago, especially with the team loading up on talented wideouts such as Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and others in recent years.

At tight end, the Jaguars also boast Clay Harbor, Ben Koyack and others, so there's no guarantee Lewis stands tall as the best man for the blocking job by the time the regular season arrives.

Zac Stacy, RB, New York Jets

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Back in May, the New York Jets shipped away a seventh-round pick for Zac Stacy, a bruising back who lost ground in St. Louis as the team added younger players and rounded out a rotation.

It might be a case of deja vu for Stacy, who finds himself slipping on yet another depth chart.

SEASON	YDS	AVG	TD
2013	973	3.9	7
2014	293	3.9	1

The Jets had the right idea making a move for Stacy, as his numbers show. In the right role, he's a strong contributor to a rotation as the between-the-tackles workhorse. 

The thing is, the Jets already have a similar back in Chris Ivory. Bilal Powell is a solid backup, and Stevan Ridley is the pass-catching back the team needs once he leaves the physically unable to perform list. And don't forget Stacy's former teammate in St. Louis, Daryl Richardson.

With a potential three-back rotation in place when everyone is healthy, it won't come as a shock to see the Jets cut their losses with Stacy.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of Aug. 26. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.