50 Players Who Need Huge Performances in Preseason Week 4 to Make Their Teams

Every year this time, there are hundreds of players on NFL rosters that are barely hanging on, and the final preseason game can be the difference between them playing in the NFL or trying to find work in another field.  Here is a list of 50 players that need to come up big in their finales to make their team.

Houston Texans RB Steve Slaton

Just two years ago, Steve Slaton was a first round pick in your fantasy draft.  Now, he is battling just to make the Texans roster.

New England Patriots WR Brandon Tate

Some people speculated that Brandon Tate was going to take the Randy Moss role when Moss was traded last season.  Now, he is fighting just to prove that he deserves a spot on the roster.

Tennessee Titans WR Justin Gage

Justin Gage needs to show the Titans something in the final preseason contest to justify his contract for 2011.

Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown

Donald Brown was a second round pick but hasn't produced on the field.  The Colts might look to replace him with a cheaper option if they don't show him something.

Buffalo Bills TE Shawn Nelson

Time could be running out for Nelson, who was a fourth round pick back in 2009.

Buffalo Bills DE Lionel Dotson

Lionel Dotson hasn't made enough plays at this point to make the 53 man roster in Buffalo.  Can he change that his week?

2011 NFL Roster Cuts: Chicago Bears RB Chester Taylor

Chester Taylor was reportedly cut earlier this week, but that turned out not to be true.  He still seems to be the odd man out in Chicago.

Detroit Lions RB Jerome Harrison

Jerome Harrison could be the odd man out in Detroit without a big game this week.

Tennessee Titans S Vincent Fuller

Vincent Fuller took a pay cut a few weeks ago in an attempt to say on the team.  Will it be enough?

Green Bay Packers DE Eli Joseph

Joseph appears to be on the chopping block at a crowded position in Green Bay.  A big game this week could change that.

Minnesota Vikings CB Asher Allen

Allen only has three picks in his first two seasons in the league.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Ahmad Black

Black hasn't been impressive so far this preseason.  He will have one more shot to convince the Bucs to keep him around.

Carolina Panthers DE Malcolm Tatum

Tatum has yet to impress in camp.  It might take a big game to keep him around.

New York Giants WR Michael Clayton

Clayton has been impressive on special teams, but will need more than that to make the team.

Tennessee Titans WR Kevin Curtis

Kevin Curtis just joined the Titans at the end of last week.  He has one game to make an impression.

Oakland Raiders WR Chaz Schilens

Chaz Schilens has been banged up this preseason and could need a big game to stick.

Oakland Raiders CB Walter McFadden

McFadden is a second year player who will need to prove worthy of a roster spot in this final game.

Oakland Raiders CB Lito Sheppard

Veterans have to clearly beat out younger guys to earn a spot.  Sheppard is on the proverbial bubble heading into the final preseason contest.

Oakland Raiders LB Quentin Groves

Groves has been underwhelming so far in the preseason.  It could take an extraordinary effort in the finale to get him on the Week 1 roster.

Oakland Raiders DE Jarvis Moss

Jarvis Moss needs a big push this week to show the he belongs on the 2011 version of the Raiders defense.

Dallas Cowboys QB Jon Kitna

Jon Kitna is an expensive back-up.  He will need a big final game to justify keeping his salary on the books.

Dallas Cowboys Igor Olshansky

Olshansky has already been demoted.  The next step could be unemployment if he doesn't step it up.

San Diego Chargers RB Scott Tolzien

Tolzien could be a guy that falls victim to the new rules about the third quarterback counting towards the active number on game day. 

San Diego Chargers LB Darryl Gamble

Gamble has been injured, and that might hurt his chances, but a big game this week could lock up a spot.

San Diego Chargers LB Stephen Cooper

Cooper needs to be impressive this week to make sure he isn't on the cut list come Saturday.

San Diego Chargers CB Shareece Wright

Wright was an third round pick who hasn't been impressive so far.

Tennessee Titans LB Rennie Curran

Curran doesn't fit the new scheme in Tennessee, but he can force them to keep him around with a big game Thursday.

Tennessee Titans DE Pannel Egboh

The Titans have some injuries at DE, which will help Egboh's chances, but a good effort this week will lock up a spot.

Buffalo Bills WR Buster Davis

Buster Davis was a first round pick who hasn't lived up to the hype.  He needs a big game this week to prove he isn't a bust.

Buffalo Bills S Jon Corto

It will take a big effort from Corto this week to get off the roster bubble.

Seattle Seahawks WR Golden Tate

Things don't seem to be going so well between Tate and Pete Carroll.  It might take a big effort in Week 4 to keep Tate from being without a job.

Houston Texans Scott Albritton

Albritton will be fighting for his life in the Texans preseason finale.

Houston Texans WR Trindon Holliday

Holliday can fly, but that doesn't mean he can play in the NFL.  He needs to give the Texans a reason to keep him around this week.

Indianapolis Colts DE Jerry Hughes

Hughes was a first round pick in 2010.  He looks like he might be a bust.

Jamaal Anderson DE Indianapolis Colts

Anderson was a high pick just a few years back but was cut by the Falcons.  Will he save his job with the Colts this week?

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer

Dwyer is buried on the Steelers depth chart.  Can he make some plays this week to get him a spot on the roster?

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Arnaz Battle

Arnaz Battle is competing for a spot in the deep Steelers wide receiving corps.

Tennessee Titans S Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith is a veteran who could be off the roster if he doesn't make a play to prove he deserves a spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers DB William Gay

Gay will need to prove he is worth a spot on that vaunted Steelers defense.

Baltimore Raves WR James Hardy

Hardy was a big play guy in college, but hasn't been that yet for the Ravens. He is going to need a few this week.

Baltimore Ravens WR Brandon Jones

Brandon Jones needs a big game this week to make the squad.

Baltimore Ravens WR Jalen Parmele

Parmele needs to prove this week that he can cut it as an NFL running back.

Baltimore Ravens RB Anthony Allen

Allen will need to make more plays than Parmele this week for a spot.

Cleveland Browns QB Jarrett Brown

Jarrett Brown will need a big game to convince the Browns to keep three QBs.

Indianapolis Colts QB Dan Orlovsky

The Colts signed Kerry Collins, and it looks like Curtis Painter is the No. 3.  Can Orlovsky change that this week?

Cleveland Browns WR Demetrius Williams

Williams has bounced around the league, and he will need a big play or two to keep from getting bounced again.

St. Louis Rams DE C.J. Ah You

Ah You has only seen late game reps in the preseason.  He appears to be behind the eight ball unless he makes some plays.

St. Louis Rams DT Darrell Scott

Scott hasn't played well early on.  Can he change his fate this week?

St. Louis Rams S James Butler

Butler needs to step up and make more plays this week.

Indianapolis Colts QB Curtis Painter

Curtis Painter will need to prove he deserves to be there over Dan Orlovsky.