Next week will be one of the busiest on the NFL calendar, all 32 teams required to finalize their (initial) 53-man rosters by 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. Clubs are authorized to carry 80 players heading into the final weekend of preseason, but that means more than 1,000 – all rosters have already been trimmed by at least 10 players over the course of August – will be available as teams stock their practice squads and continue to tweak depth charts once the Aug. 31 deadline passes.
Invariably, several prominent veterans will shake loose, typically losing their jobs to younger and/or cheaper talent. Here are a few who could be on the bubble in the coming days and possibly looking for new employment thereafter:
Eagles WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
A second-round pick in 2019 – taken 57th overall, seven spots ahead of Seattle’s DK Metcalf – Arcega-Whiteside has 14 career receptions for a Philadelphia team that’s been desperate for production at the position in recent seasons. Nevertheless, he’s probably no better than fifth on the depth chart at this point and doesn’t offer any value on special teams.
Washington RB Peyton Barber
Useful as a goal-line option, he’s otherwise fairly limited given his 3.5 yards-per-carry career average and inability to provide much on passing downs. Hard to believe undrafted rookie Jaret Patterson, who’s flashed as a rusher and receiver, won’t stick behind Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic … which puts Barber in a precarious position.
