NFL Cut Candidates 2026: 10 Notable Players on the Roster Bubble

NFL Cut Candidates 2026: Notable Players on the Chopping Block Before the 53-Man Roster Deadline

The 2026 NFL preseason is entering its final stretch, and teams are facing one of the toughest decisions of the year. Every club must reduce its roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 30.

With cutdown day approaching, several established players, recent draft picks, and former top prospects are fighting to remain on NFL rosters. Depth chart battles, injuries, special teams value, coaching preferences, and emerging young players could all influence the final decisions.

Some of the players below could be traded rather than released. Others could land on practice squads or become available to another team through waivers.

Here are the most notable NFL cut candidates to watch before the 2026 53-man roster deadline.

Titans QB Will Levis

Will Levis faces one of the most uncertain roster situations in Tennessee.

The Titans benched Levis in December 2024 before selecting Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Levis then missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Now healthy, Levis currently sits behind Ward and veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on the depth chart. Keeping three quarterbacks could be difficult for a team that wants to use its roster spots for younger players at other positions.

Trubisky's recent right biceps injury could give Levis another opportunity. However, Titans coach Robert Saleh has expressed optimism that Trubisky's injury will not keep him out for long.

Levis may need an impressive final preseason performance to remain in Tennessee. A trade could also provide another possible outcome.

Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson was a third-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he has struggled to establish a clear role behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle.

Steelers coach Mike McCarthy has stressed the importance of players who can contribute on offense and special teams.

That versatility could work against Johnson.

Travis Homer, a strong special teams contributor, started Pittsburgh's first preseason game, while Johnson recorded only two carries for three yards.

Johnson still has time to strengthen his case, but he needs to show that he can offer more than depth at running back. If he cannot expand his role, he could become one of the more surprising cuts before the deadline.

Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. and Jalin Hyatt

The Giants have another difficult decision at wide receiver.

Odell Beckham Jr. has looked sharp in limited action during his return to New York after spending more than a year away from the field. He has regularly created separation despite modest production so far.

General manager Joe Schoen has praised Beckham's early form, while head coach John Harbaugh has remained cautious about making a final commitment.

Beckham is not the only receiver facing uncertainty.

Former third-round pick Jalin Hyatt has struggled to build momentum after three seasons. Leg and ankle injuries have limited his availability, while his production has declined.

The Giants could face a difficult decision involving both experienced talent and younger players as they finalize their receiver group.

Browns WR Cedric Tillman

Cedric Tillman could also be vulnerable as Cleveland reshapes its wide receiver room.

The Browns are investing heavily in young talent, with high draft picks KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston expected to receive opportunities alongside Jerry Jeudy.

Tillman, a 2023 third-round selection, started 10 games last season and has shown flashes of potential. However, his limited special teams value could hurt his chances in a crowded position group.

Cleveland already has a big-bodied perimeter receiver profile on the roster. Tillman may need a strong preseason finish to secure his place.

If the Browns move on, another team could view Tillman as a developmental opportunity.

Cowboys WR Jonathan Mingo

Dallas acquired Jonathan Mingo for a fourth-round pick in November 2024, hoping the former second-round selection could develop into a reliable target.

His production with the Cowboys has been limited.

Mingo has recorded only six catches for 71 yards across 14 games with Dallas. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Camden Brown has emerged as one of the team's most intriguing training camp performers.

Brown's two-touchdown preseason performance against the Seahawks added to the competition. Coach Brian Schottenheimer has also praised the rookie's poise.

If Brown continues to build momentum, Mingo could find himself fighting for one of the final receiver spots.

Bengals DT McKinnley Jackson

McKinnley Jackson entered Cincinnati as a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and was viewed as a potential run-stuffing successor to DJ Reader.

His development has not gone as planned.

Jackson has received limited opportunities and requested a trade during the 2025 season. He appeared in only nine games that year.

The Bengals now have significant depth along the defensive line, including Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill, T.J. Slaton Jr., Kris Jenkins Jr., and seventh-round rookie Landon Robinson.

An ankle injury suffered during the preseason opener has made Jackson's situation even more complicated.

Cincinnati could ultimately decide that another team is a better landing spot for the young defensive tackle.

Buccaneers OLB Chris Braswell

Chris Braswell has another difficult roster battle in Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers selected Braswell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he has produced only 2.5 sacks during his first two seasons.

Tampa Bay has continued to add talent at edge rusher. First-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. joins a group that includes YaYa Diaby, Anthony Nelson, Al-Quaddin Muhammad, recovering 2025 fourth-round pick David Walker, and undrafted standout Jack Pyburn.

With several players competing for opportunities, Braswell could find himself outside the team's preferred rotation.

A release or trade could give the young pass rusher a chance to restart his development with another franchise.

Chargers LB Junior Colson

Junior Colson's roster outlook is complicated by injuries and competition.

The Chargers selected Colson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft after his standout career at Michigan. However, injuries have limited his development.

An appendectomy and hamstring issue affected his rookie season, while shoulder surgery forced him to miss the entire 2025 season.

Colson currently sits behind Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, and Troy Dye. The Chargers also have special teams contributors competing for valuable roster spots.

Los Angeles may still be reluctant to give up on a young player with Colson's potential, but his position on the depth chart leaves him with little margin for error.

Eagles CB Kelee Ringo

Kelee Ringo continues to show the potential that made him an intriguing prospect, but consistency remains a concern.

Ringo recorded an end-zone interception in the preseason opener, giving him an important highlight. However, the interception came immediately after he was flagged for pass interference.

He has yet to secure a starting position and could sit behind Mac McWilliams and Jonathan Jones in the Eagles' cornerback rotation.

Special teams could play an important role in his roster chances. His ability to contribute as a gunner could help separate him from other defensive backs competing for the final spots.

Still, Ringo needs a strong finish to preseason action to remove doubts about his place on the 53-man roster.

When Is NFL Cutdown Day 2026?

NFL teams must finalize their 53-man rosters by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

The deadline will trigger another major phase of roster movement across the league. Teams will begin building practice squads, while players released or waived could quickly find opportunities with other franchises.

The final preseason games will be especially important for players on the roster bubble.

A strong performance could save a player's roster spot. A poor outing could lead to a release, trade, or practice squad assignment.

What Happens After NFL Roster Cuts?

The 53-man roster deadline does not end roster movement.

Teams can continue making changes through trades, waiver claims, practice squad signings, and free-agent additions. Players released by one team could quickly become valuable additions for another.

That makes the final roster decisions difficult to predict.

Some of the players listed above could remain with their current teams. Others could be traded before the deadline or released and claimed by another franchise.

The final preseason games will provide one of the last opportunities for these NFL cut candidates to make their case.

NFL Cut Candidates 2026 Summary

The 2026 NFL roster deadline is approaching, and several recognizable names are facing uncertain futures.

Will Levis, Kaleb Johnson, Odell Beckham Jr., Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman, Jonathan Mingo, McKinnley Jackson, Chris Braswell, Junior Colson, and Kelee Ringo are among the players worth watching closely.

Roster battles can change quickly during the final days of preseason. Injuries, trades, special teams contributions, and standout performances could reshape the depth charts before August 30.

For players on the bubble, every preseason snap now carries added importance.



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