Carter Bahns· Aug 27, 2026
A CBS Sports piece names 20 notable veterans it considers at risk of being cut before the 53-man roster deadline, with several pegged for the practice squad or outright release, and also sketches a few depth-chart pecking orders (Titans QBs, Panthers tight ends, Texans receivers, Eagles backfield).
“Here are 20 notable veterans at risk of being cut.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
26 checkable claims — 20 roster spot calls and 6 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 41 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
7 of 26 have settled so far, averaging 0 out of 100, against 85.7 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 3 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
- Darren Waller
- Carolina Panthers
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- New York Giants
- Trevor Penning
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Jerry Tillery
- Indianapolis Colts
- Cooper Rush
- Atlanta Falcons
- Ameer Abdullah
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Laquon Treadwell
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Tennessee Titans
- Evan Neal
- Van Jefferson
- Washington Commanders
- Will Levis
- Sterling Shepard
- Houston Texans
- Saquon Barkley
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Mecole Hardman
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Dallas Cowboys
- Tim Patrick
- Phillip Dorsett
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Noah Igbinoghene
- Seattle Seahawks
- Mitchell Evans
- Mazi Smith
- New York Jets
- Tommy Tremble
- Dameon Pierce
- Khalil Herbert
- San Francisco 49ers
- Cam Ward
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Kansas City Chiefs
26 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Roster Spot CallsDarren WallerCarolina PanthersAug 27, 2026
Darren Waller to make the roster
“the question is whether there is room for both Ja'Tavion Sanders and Waller”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- CAR
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Darren Waller
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Odell Beckham Jr. to make the roster
“It is still an uphill battle for the three-time Pro Bowler to stay on the right side of the cut line”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 0+0 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- NYG
- skill:
- 0
- player:
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 0
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Trevor Penning to make the roster
“Considering all it cost to get him was a sixth-round pick, the Chargers can easily cut bait.”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- LAC
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Trevor Penning
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsJerry TilleryIndianapolis ColtsAug 27, 2026
Jerry Tillery to make the roster
“while Tillery is arguably good enough to make the roster, there is only room for so many defensive tackles”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- IND
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Jerry Tillery
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
- Roster Spot CallsCooper RushAtlanta FalconsAug 27, 2026
Cooper Rush to make the roster
“Complicating things for Rush is the emergence of undrafted free agent Jack Strand ... Rush remains among the NFL's most respected backup quarterbacks but might have to sign elsewhere”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- ATL
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Cooper Rush
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Ameer Abdullah to make the roster
“would be hard-pressed to justify using a roster spot on Abdullah solely as a returner, so he appears destined for the practice squad”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- JAX
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Ameer Abdullah
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he lands on the practice squad
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Laquon Treadwell to make the roster
“there is already precedent for his release”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- club:
- IND
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Laquon Treadwell
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- he does not make the 53
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he was on somebody's 53 last season, so he makes one again
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks on the53:
- 3
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- first week on the53:
- 1
- weeks on the practice squad:
- 0
Mitchell Trubisky to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Mitchell Trubisky is the clear choice to be his backup given his familiarity with Brian Daboll's scheme”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsEvan NealNew York GiantsAug 27, 2026
Evan Neal to make the roster
“His value has tanked, and there is a new coaching staff in place, so it is entirely possible that Neal goes from a highly touted potential cornerstone tackle to an afterthought on the interior in just four years.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Van Jefferson to make the roster
“He could carve out that same role with the Commanders, but it could be difficult considering the team's wide receiver depth.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsWill LevisTennessee TitansAug 27, 2026
Will Levis to make the roster
“Three years after Tennessee made him the first player off the board on Day 2 of the 2023 draft, he could be out the door.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsSterling ShepardHouston TexansAug 27, 2026
Sterling Shepard to make the roster
“so his stay in Houston might be extremely short-lived”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Saquon Barkley to be 1st on the depth chart
“The problem is that Saquon Barkley exists, while Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are already locked into backup roles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMecole HardmanAug 27, 2026
Mecole Hardman to make the roster
“Three Super Bowl titles and an All-Pro selection as a rookie give Mecole Hardman Jr. an illustrious résumé for someone on the roster bubble.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to make the roster
“There are probably not enough scraps left to pick up behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and the rest.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsTim PatrickAug 27, 2026
Tim Patrick to make the roster
“His comeback story might reach a roadblock in New York”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Phillip Dorsett to make the roster
“Dorsett spent the 2025 season on the Raiders' practice squad and is likely destined for the same fate this year”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Noah Igbinoghene to make the roster
“he might be able to secure a backup cornerback job in Seattle now that he has shown more ability to cover on the perimeter”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsMitchell EvansCarolina PanthersAug 27, 2026
Mitchell Evans to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans are the top two options”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Roster Spot CallsMazi SmithNew York JetsAug 27, 2026
Mazi Smith to make the roster
“the Jets have a new-look defense that might not include Smith”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsTommy TrembleCarolina PanthersAug 27, 2026
Tommy Tremble to be 1st on the depth chart
“Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans are the top two options”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Dameon Pierce to make the roster
“now he is seeking to latch on with the Eagles. The problem is that Saquon Barkley exists, while Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are already locked into backup roles.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Khalil Herbert to make the roster
“Herbert ... looks to be one of multiple roster-limit casualties, as San Francisco can only carry so much insurance for Christian McCaffrey”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsCam WardTennessee TitansAug 27, 2026
Cam Ward to be 1st on the depth chart
“Cam Ward is the face of the franchise, and Mitchell Trubisky is the clear choice to be his backup”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Depth Chart CallsSterling ShepardHouston TexansAug 27, 2026
Sterling Shepard to be 6th on the depth chart
“Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson and now Boutte are all ahead of Shepard in the pecking order”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Emmanuel Ogbah to make the roster
“the summer acquisition is no guarantee to stick around into the regular season”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 100Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Connor RogersGame Outcome Picks · New York GiantsHit · 100Rogers picked Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle and the Giants to win their Week 3 games, saying the Chiefs win by two touchdowns and the Giants by a field goal.
- Steven RuizGame Outcome Picks · Las Vegas RaidersHit · 100Previewing Week 3, Ruiz picked the Ravens to beat the Cowboys in Brazil, Jacksonville over New England in a low-scoring game, an upset by the Broncos over the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears, the Lions over the Jets, and his Hail Mary that Houston beats Indianapolis by two touchdowns.
- Nate TiceGame Outcome Picks · Philadelphia EaglesMiss · 0Tice matched his guest on every Week 3 game, picking the Ravens over the Cowboys, the Jaguars over the Patriots in a close game, the Broncos to upset the Rams, the Raiders over the Saints, the Eagles over the Bears and the Lions over the Jets.
- Sam MonsonGame Outcome Picks · Seattle SeahawksMiss · 0Monson picked the Chargers to beat the Bills outright (jokingly crediting Buffalo's gray 'Nickel City' jerseys), took the Vikings to win outright in Tampa, and said Seattle would destroy Washington. He also reiterated his Super Bowl pick of Denver over the Rams, called the Dolphins destined for the No. 1 overall pick, and said the Saints are a worst-to-first candidate in the NFC South.
- Jake ArthurScore Predictions · Kansas City ChiefsHit · 98Arthur expects a close Chiefs win on Sunday Night Football at Arrowhead, predicting a final score of 27-23 for Kansas City.
More roster spot calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ralph VentreRoster Spot Calls · Christian BenfordMiss · 0Ventre expects Christian Benford's toe injury to sideline him for at least the Week 4 game against New England, and believes the Bills will have to add a cornerback to the 53-man roster this week — likely by moving Benford to injured reserve — with practice squad rookie Kani Walker the most likely player elevated.
- Ethan HurwitzRoster Spot Calls · Jeremiah Pharms Jr.Miss · 0Hurwitz writes that the elevations of Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Mike Brown likely mean Leonard Taylor III stays a healthy scratch and Joshua Farmer could be one too for the Week 3 game at Jacksonville, and that both elevated players will revert to the practice squad after Sunday.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Te'Cory CouchMiss · 0Gurzi predicts the Buffalo Bills' final 53-man roster ahead of Week 1 against Houston, naming every player who makes it, who gets cut, and a few depth-chart outcomes (Damar Hamlin as backup safety, Alec Anderson as a new starter on the offensive line, Shane Buechele back on the practice squad).
- Joe MarinoRoster Spot Calls · Te'Cory CouchMiss · 0Joe Marino gives his final projection of the Buffalo Bills' initial 53-man roster after the preseason finale, naming who makes it, who gets cut, and who lands on injured reserve/PUP, along with several starting-job calls (Kyle Allen as QB2, TJ Sanders starting over Landon Jackson, Maxwell Hairston starting opposite Christian Benford, and Tommy Doman winning the punting job).
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsMiss · 0Grisak argues Wesley Bailey has essentially played his way onto the Rams' roster after a 10-pressure preseason game, suggests Dean Connors and Tim Keenan III could be cut and stashed on the practice squad, and makes a case for Jarquez Hunter making the 53 despite bubble status.
- Blaine GrisakRoster Spot Calls · Dean ConnorsHit · 100After the Rams' first preseason game, Grisak predicted the full 53-man roster, naming three quarterbacks, four running backs, five receivers, five tight ends, nine offensive linemen, four linebackers, six defensive linemen, four edge rushers, five cornerbacks, five safeties and three special teamers, with Dean Connors headed for the practice squad instead.