NFL Veterans Who Could Get Cut at Training Camp

If there’s a common Achilles' heel with dynasty league owners, it’s the fact they tend to hold on their players for a little too long. If you’re out there with JaMarcus Russell on your roster, that’s pretty much you in a nutshell.  I mean, really, Kurt Warner is still owned in nearly 40 percent of dynasty leagues.

Let’s move on people!

Here’s a list of 10 offensive skill position players who could be cut in training camp, finally giving their stubborn owners in deep dynasty leagues a reason to cut them loose. Many owners in shallow leagues already have.

Desmond Clark, TE, Chicago Bears

There’s some talk out there that he could be pushing Greg Olsen for the starting job, but we just don’t buy it.

The 33-year-old Clark was only able to muster 19 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last season. Even in his best of seasons, Clark was really only a borderline No. 1 tight end, with career highs of 626 yards and six scores.

With Brandon Manumaleuna on board as well, it would be surprising to see Clark actually secure a roster spot, no less a starting job.

Willie Parker, RB, Washington Redskins

Fast Willie is a prime candidate for this list since so many owners still carry him on their rosters.

Parker was a waiver wire darling before the 2005 season and turned in three great seasons of at least 1,200 yards for Pittsburgh between 2005 and 2007.

After taking a backseat to Rashard Mendenhall, Parker only produced 389 yards last season and all reports from Redskins camp have indicated he’s lacking his trademark explosiveness.

Dennis Northcutt, WR, Detroit Lions

Some thought Northcutt would finally reach his potential on the receiver poor roster of the Lions last season. Unfortunately, his 348 yards just didn’t cut it.

It’s likely the end of the road for the man known for cutting North. At 32, he’s had a productive, yet unspectacular career.

Torry Holt, WR, New England Patriots

Holt had an awful season in Jacksonville last year, posting just 722 yards with no touchdowns.  He’s lost a lot of his explosiveness and now finds himself buried on the depth chart in New England.

With Wes Welker ready for camp and rookies Brandon Tate and Taylor Price seemingly locked into the roster, there simply may be no room for him. “Big Game” Torry Holt has likely had his last big game in dynasty leagues.

Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, Oakland Raiders

Oddly enough, you may be able to trace the exact end of his career in Oakland to one single hit.  After being waxed by Eric Weddle early on, Higgins was extremely tentative the rest of the season.

The Raiders picked up speedster Jacoby Ford in the draft to help with the return game. If Higgins really isn’t much of a receiver and Ford is a more dynamic return guy, you can pretty much connect the dots here.

Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are saying all the right things at this point. However, if something materializes from the recent incident involving Vick, they’ll be left with few choices.

Personally, I gave up on Vick long ago due to his sickening character concerns. I’ve also seen little to believe he could ever get back to the player he once was. Even then, he wasn’t anything to write home about in fantasy.

Maurice Morris, RB, Detroit Lions

His fate likely rests on the knee of Kevin Smith. If Smith is cleared for the beginning of the season, it’s going to be awfully tough for Morris to make the team. If he’s not, it gets interesting.

Regardless, Aaron Brown and Jahvid Best have two of the running back spots sewn up. The best case scenario for Morris is likely some type of time share with Best.

Is that really worth a roster spot for a guy who’s 30 years old?

Chris Jennings, RB, Cleveland Browns

He’s young at just 24, but hasn’t shown much to make you think he can be a No. 1 or even a No. 2 running back in the league.

With Montario Hardesty, Jerome Harrison, and James Davis all likely ahead of him, he looks like a camp casualty waiting to happen.

Add the recent assault issues and his future is bleak in dynasty leagues.

He’s on the bubble, but like most on this list, it really shouldn’t matter.

Fred Taylor, RB, New England Patriots

He and Holt have certainly had the best careers of anyone on this list. It’s winding down quickly, though.

As with most of his career, injuries have been an issue. He missed all but six games last year, running for 269 yards, and four touchdowns.

Taylor still runs effectively when healthy, but you have to wonder if the Pats are going to want to pay him $2 million with Morris, Maroney, and others in a committee with him.

He needs to show up big next week to secure his spot. Don’t cut him quite yet, but have the finger on the trigger if he gets released.

If the Pats let him go, it’s probably the end of the line for one of the most underrated fantasy players in dynasty league history.

Keep an eye on the roster moves over the next few weeks and months. We’re going to have some semi-expected moves like these, but also some surprise transactions that impact dynasty leagues across the land.

Article written by Ken Kelly
DynastyLeagueFootball.com 
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