NFL Cuts 2015: Predictions for Veterans in Danger of Being Released

NFL teams have already begun trimming rosters in preparation for the regular season. While notable names such as Tim Jennings have already been cut loose by the Chicago Bears, per the team's Twitter account, there are more veterans who still haven't learned their fate.

We've spotlighted three and put in predictions for each.

Terrelle Pryor, WR, Cleveland Browns

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Making a positional change such as the QB-to-WR move Terrelle Pryor is making with the Cleveland Browns is tough. It requires patience on the part of the player and the team. It can take time for everything to fall into place.

There's a question as to whether Browns head coach Mike Pettine is willing to wait. That's especially the case since Pryor has been injured during the preseason. Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Pettine said this of the hobbled Pryor's chances of making the team back on August 22:

“That window narrows every day that he’s not out there."

Pryor has been hampered by a bad hamstring that he re-injured during a preseason joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. While it may seem as though Pryor is treading on thin ice, Pettine wouldn't say that he has to play in the team's final preseason game against the Bears on Thursday to be considered.

In another piece from Cabot, Pettine says: 

"

I don’t want to say make or break. I’m not going to deal with an absolute, saying he has to play, but we want to see him out there. I can’t say today that he definitely will, but he should be. He was close to being able to go, and give it another week, we’re hopeful he’ll be out there and we’ll be able to see him.

"

The Browns don't have a wealth of receivers, and they obviously believe in the potential of the 26-year-old, 6'4" 223-pound man with freakish athleticism. While he may not pay big dividends this season, Pryor could be an asset down the line.

Were the Browns closer to being a contender, the prediction would be that he'd get released. In this scenario, I think he makes the team.

Tim Tebow and Matt Barkley, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

The Philadelphia Eagles have their starting quarterback in Sam Bradford. The oft-injured former No. 1 overall pick has looked excellent in the preseason, and he's taken to Chip Kelly's offense.

Mark Sanchez looked good enough in spots in 2014 to be the backup, but the competition is for the No. 3 spot. Let's just end the drama now: Tim Tebow is getting the nod over Matt Barkley.

You know Kelly's alternative mindset has to be intrigued with the idea of having Tebow on his roster. Having him as the No. 3 guy keeps him far enough away from the field to prevent people from calling Kelly insane, but close enough to go to him if things get really bad.

Vinnie Iyer of SportingNews.com seems to agree. Iyer wrote:

"

Tebow should never have been a first-round draft pick or starter, but he also shouldn't have been tabbed as a gadget athlete who couldn't be figured out. In Philadelphia, everything lines up for his pro career. A just-in-case No. 3 who has the versatility to keep a run- and tight end-heavy offense moving? That's just right.

"

Unfortunately for Barkley, this match made in college football heaven will leave the former USC Trojans standout looking for work.

EJ Manuel, QB, Buffalo Bills

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

When a new coaching regime comes in, changes are inevitable. That could be good news for some players and bad for others.

In EJ Manuel's case, things weren't looking very good until he completed seven of eight passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That performance more than likely solidified Manuel's spot on the roster, and quite possibly made him the front-runner for the starting position.

Up to now, new Bills head coach Rex Ryan has been mums on the decision. Per Mik Rodak of ESPN.com, Ryan is going to make the decision on Sunday, but he won't make the pick public.

We may not need to hear from Ryan as Manuel's last performance made the statement.