NFL Cutdown Day Fantasy Reaction

Tuesday was cutdown day around the NFL. It used to be that the league had cutdowns in shifts, taking teams from a full roster down to 53 over the course of the preseason. Now, though, the deadline is all at once, meaning more than a 1,000 players saw their fates decided (or at least dramatically changed) in one fell swoop Tuesday.

It also means there’s a lot of new information for fantasy football drafters and managers to wade through after all of Tuesday’s moves. Below, I’ll look at the impact of Tuesday’s major moves with an eye toward what it means for fantasy football.

NFL Cutdown Day 2024 — Fantasy Football Impact

For the most part, moves to get under the roster limited came down to one of four:

• Trade — Finding a new home for a player you can’t fit or might otherwise release.
• PUP/NFI — Committing to a player missing the first four weeks of the season but with the chance at returning later in the season.
• Injured Reserve — Previously, a player landing on injured reserve before the cutdown was guaranteed to miss the entire season. However, this year, the rules have been changed so that a team can designate up to two player on injured reserve before cutdown to potentially return later in the season, opening up just a few more options.
• Release/waivers — Letting go of a player altogether (often with an eye on re-signing him to the practice squad).

So let’s look at those lenses, and then at the bottom we’ll take an incomplete look at roster spots that either newly opened up Tuesday or simply haven’t been filled yet.

Trades

QB Malik Willis Traded to Green Bay

This move came a day ahead of cutdown day. Willis was on the outs in Tennessee, with the front office that selected him gone and with Will Levis and offseason signee Mason Rudolph supplanting him on the depth chart. He’ll back up Jordan Love in Green Bay, where Sean Clifford was released Tuesday. Willis obviously has no standalone fantasy value, but given the weaponry in Green Bay and his rushing ability, he’d at least be interesting if anything were to happen to Love.

TE Peyton Hendershot Traded to Kansas City

If a target depth chart as shallow as the Cowboys’ can’t find room for you, it’s not a good sign. But Hendershot, who had two touchdowns and 141 yards on 23 targets over his two years in Dallas, will get a chance to back up Travis Kelce in Kansas City.

Physically Unable to Perform/Non-Football Injury

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers

The original expectation was that Brooks would hit the NFI to start the season after a torn ACL at Texas last year. After some murmurs that he was progressing better than expected and might make it for Week 1, he did just that Tuesday. He’ll miss the first month but will be one of the more interesting returnees when he’s ready to go.

Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
Nyheim Hines, RB, Cleveland Browns

A valuable lesson in not letting clips of players lifting weights influence your fantasy decision-making, Nick Chubb hit IR Tuesday, exactly as most expected. We’ll see if and when he makes it back from his devastating knee injury a year ago, but it could still be a while, and he won’t get a full workload even when he is back.

Hines is also working his way back from a bad knee injury, though his was on a jet-ski a year ago. He’s off the value board until we see something.

Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Mitchell was never expected to be ready at the start of the season. He could be an interesting lightning to Derrick Henry’s thunder later in the season.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams

Two high-profile tight ends with the initials T.H. who suffered late-season ACL tears last year both land on PUP to start the 2024 season. Higbee’s value is nil at least until he returns, and even then he’s only a desperation play. Hockenson, whose injury came a little earlier than Higbee’s and whose ceiling is far higher, is a fine late-round stash for deeper leagues.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins always knew this would be possible for Beckham after signing him in May. He’s the No. 3 receiver on a team with two target monsters at Nos. 1 and 2 and with plenty of firepower out of the backfield as well. He’s an interesting late-season option for DFS, but there’s no reason to stash him in fantasy.

Kendrick Bourne, WR, New England Patriots

Another player working his way back from a 2023 ACL tier, Bourne isn’t ready yet, but when he is ready to return, he could be the 1 or 1A in the Patriots’ WR room.

Injured Reserve

Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Mitchell landed on IR Tuesday with no designation to return. That eliminates one of the league’s top handcuff options for the year. Jordan Mason becomes one of the league’s most interesting flyers for fantasy, especially for managers who roster Christian McCaffrey.

Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints

The long strange Kendre Miller saga continued Tuesday, with the second-year back slated to open the season on IR with a designation to return. At this point, there’s no reason to count on anything out of Miller, but the Saints don’t have much behind Alvin Kamara (unless you are a particular Taysom Hill fan), so Miller will likely still get a chance if he can ever get healthy enough to stay on the field.

AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers

When injuries starting dogging MarShawn Lloyd in the preseason, there was some question that Dillon could again be the RB2/top handcuff in Green Bay, and that became more interesting when there were rumors Lloyd could start the season in IR. Instead, Lloyd made the 53-man roster and Dillon hit IR, and with no designation to return, the veteran is officially out for 2024, and you’d have to assume he’s done in Green Bay as well.

Ainias Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Two pass-catching Eagles without any real path to targets both get the return designation, although it will be really hard to generate much excitement even when they get back.

Jelani Woods, TE, Indianapolis Colts
Chase Edmonds, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Case Keenum, QB, Houston Texans

None of these three was given a return designation when they landed on IR, so their seasons are all over. Woods was the only one with even theoretical fantasy value, and even in his case it was scant.

Release/Waivers

D’Onta Foreman, RB, Cleveland Browns

This was the most eyebrow-raising release of Tuesday, though news came out pretty quickly afterward that it was largely procedural, with Foreman expected to land on the practice squad and get promoted back to the active roster once the Browns find a way to get rid of one (or more) of their four quarterbacks. Foreman should have a sizable role in this offense at least until Nick Chubb is back.

Royce Freeman, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Remember when there were whispers that Royce Freeman could actually be the lead back in Dallas? That was a funny time. He’s gone now, and it’s hard to imagine he finds another home unless the Cowboys themselves bring him back on the practice squad.

Noah Brown, WR, Houston Texans

After the Texans guaranteed Noah Brown $3 million this offseason, it seemed a fait accomplis that he’d make the roster over guys like Robert Woods and John Metchie. Instead, Brown finds himself richer but unemployed now. He was electric in spurts for the Texans last year, including a two-game stretch where he went 13-325-1 on 14 targets in Weeks 9-10. He’ll likely land on an active roster somewhere.

Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Justyn Ross, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Irv Smith Jr., TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Three players with tantalizing talent who have never put it together, three now ex-Chiefs. Toney in particular will likely get a job somewhere as some GM says “I can fix him,” but it’s hard to imagine any of these three being fantasy names to consider any time soon.

Samaje Perine, RB, Denver Broncos
Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos

Both players were rumored to be on the trade block Monday, but the Broncos just cut bait Tuesday after failing to find a taker. Both are all but locks to find active-roster jobs pretty quickly, even if their fantasy value is very low at the moment.

Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Carter got some late-preseason buzz as perhaps the No. 2 in Arizona, especially after the ex-Jet didn’t play in the preseason finale. Instead, he’s gone, opening the door for Trey Benson and/or Emari Demercado to lock in the handcuff job.

Isaiah Hodgins, WR, New York Giants
Allen Robinson, WR, New York Giants

The Giants pared down their receiver room Tuesday, axing Robinson and Hodgins. The cliff came fast for Robinson, who had 1,250 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2020 and has 1,029 and 4 in three years since split between the Bears, Rams and Steelers. With him not even making the Giants, the road is probably all but done for the one-time star. Meanwhile, Hodgins kind of saved the Giants in 2022 after attrition in the receiver room forced him into action, scoring four times in five games, but he got very little playing time in 2023. He’ll likely float around on practice squads in pursuit of another chance.

Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders

The former Kentucky back had a big Week 16 last year, with 2 touchdowns and 58 yards on 10 carries. That was his last time on the field as a Commander, though, as he landed on IR after that and is now unemployed, rendered irrelevant in a backfield that has Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler.

Bailey Zappe, QB, New England Patriots

Zappe looked to have a line on the QB3 job in New England behind Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye (in some order), but an electric preseason out of Joe Milton rendered Zappe expendable. Milton is extremely raw, so the Patriots certainly hope to not have to use him, but they didn’t want to let the toolset go. Meanwhile, Zappe is likely to float around as a practice squad/QB3 guy for a few years.

Kene Nwangwu, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Nwangwu never saw much playing time on offense in Minnesota, with 27 carries and 6 receptions over three seasons, but he was a good return man, with a second-team All-Pro nod in 2022. For fantasy leagues with return scoring, this opens up an interesting job for someone (Brandon Powell? Jalen Nailor? Ty Chandler?).

Desmond Ridder, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Ridder was likely seen as the favorite to be the QB2 in Arizona after being traded over from Atlanta this offseason. Instead, Clayton Tune is the backup, Ridder is out of a job, and the man he was traded for (Rondale Moore) is on IR.

Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers

It never came together for Marshall in Carolina, with the 2021 second-rounder totaling only 767 yards and a single touchdown in three years, coming in under 140 yards twice. Still, on a relatively shallow depth chart, there was a theoretical path to playing time that is now closed.

Anders Carlson, K, Green Bay Packers
Chad Ryland, K, New England Patriots

Two rookie kickers from 2023 find themselves unemployed for 2024. Both Carlson and Ryland struggled pretty mightily in 2023, though there’s often a learning curve for kickers. Greg Joseph (Green Bay) and Joey Slye (New England) are expected to be their replacements.

Other Names Released/Waived

This is not comprehensive, but it’s a look at some names that at one point or another were in the news and now will be looking for jobs elsewhere or on practice squads.

Russell Gage, WR, Baltimore Ravens
KJ Hamler, WR, Buffalo Bills
Damiere Byrd, WR, Buffalo Bills
Justin Shorter, WR, Buffalo Bills
Andy Isabella, WR, Buffalo Bills
Frank Gore Jr., RB, Buffalo Bills
Mike Strachan, WR, Carolina Panthers
Jacob Hollister, TE, Carolina Panthers
Brett Rypien, QB, Chicago Bears
Brandon Johnson, WR, Denver Broncos
Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR, Denver Broncos
Daivd Sills, WR, Denver Broncos
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Denver Broncos
Michael Burton, RB, Denver Broncos
Nate Sudfeld, QB, Detroit Lions
Samori Toure, WR, Green Bay Packers
Sean Clifford, QB, Green Bay Packers
Michael Pratt, QB, Green Bay Packers
Ben Skowronek, WR, Houston Texans
Quintez Cephus, WR, Houston Texans
Jawhar Jordan, RB, Houston Texans (injury settlement, will move to IR if he clears waivers)
Tim Boyle, QB, Houston Texans
Evan Hull, RB, Indianapolis Colts
C.J. Beathard, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Louis Rees-Zammit, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Nathan Peterman, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Isaiah Spiller, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Donald Parham Jr., TE, Los Angeles Chargers
Zach Evans, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Boston Scott, RB, Los Angeles Rams (already signed to Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad)
Myles Gaskin, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, New Orleans Saints
James Robinson, RB, New Orleans Saints
Joshua Kelley, RB, New York Giants
Parris Campbell, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
John Ross, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Quez Watkins, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Robbie Chosen, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Dee Eskridge, WR, Seattle Seahawks
PJ Walker, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Sterling Shepard, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Wolford, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyle Philips, WR, Tennessee Titans
Sam Hartman, QB, Washington Commanders
Trace McSorley, QB, Washington Commanders
Martavis Bryant, WR, Washington Commanders

Remaining Roster Holes

Every time is always looking to improve everywhere, but these areas are of particular need coming out of cutdown day.

Bengals RB

Zack Moss and Chase Brown could be a fine 1-2 punch, but it’s still kind of a mystery bag, and Trayveon Williams isn’t very exciting behind them. Samaje Perine reunion?

Browns RB

The expectation is that D’Onta Foreman will land back on the team via the practice squad and probably rejoin the active roster once the QB logjam is resolved, but until then, the Browns only really have Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong.

Cowboys RB

The story of the summer, really. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle will open as the 1/2 (or 1A/1B) in Dallas, but the next person excited about that duo will be the first. Don’t be surprised if the Cowboys are linked to several free agent RBs in the coming days.

Giants RB

Devin Singletary, Eric Gray and injured-but-expected-to-be-fine Tyrone Tracy Jr. is not an intimidating group.

Packers RB

Josh Jacobs is locked in as the bell cow. But behind him is rookie MarShawn Lloyd (who has battled injury all preseason and was thought to be headed to IR as of early afternoon Tuesday) and Emanuel Wilson. There’s a clear opening for a No. 2 in Green Bay.

Ravens WR

Zay Flowers is the sure-fire No. 1. After that it’s Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor, and while the Ravens could go forward with them — especially given Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at TE and Lamar Jackson’s tendencies to not be exactly pass-dominant — there’s room for improvement.

Steelers WR

Pittsburgh has either Van Jefferson or Calvin Austin III as the WR2 right now behind George Pickens. If the team isn’t going to find a way to trade for Brandon Aiyuk, it’s going to need to find another way to improve that.

Commanders WR

Washington sent Jahan Dotson to Philadelphia last week, meaning there’s nothing resembling a sure thing behind Terry McLaurin. Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus and Luke McCaffrey (in some order) could all fill the role, but the Commanders could also sniff around at alternatives.