The NFL preseason is now (mostly) behind us, with most of the teams having already completed their third and final preseason game.
That leaves coaches and general managers in the position of having to cut their rosters down from 90 to 53 before Tuesday at 4:00 pm ET. That also means countless players across the country in NFL camps will be on pins and needles until their team reaches that threshold.
A number of Tennessee Vols rookies are in that same boat. As such, I will assign on a scale of 10 the confidence level I have that he will end up being included on the final 53-man roster. Obviously 10 is the highest and 1 is the lowest.
2024 DRAFT PICKS
Jaylen Wright: 8/10
The Miami Dolphins rookie is as much of a roster lock as there is out of this group. The rookie running back has had another gear among all other competition he’s faced at the position for a roster spot. Behind Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, he’s a cinch to be the RB3, with a ceiling for significantly more this year.
Only reason he’s not a 10/10 is, well, that’s territory for players like Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, etc. Plus, he’s a rookie. Still, he’s making the roster no matter how you slice it.
Joe Milton: 6.5/10
I think the odds are more likely than not that Joe makes it. The Patriots could really use keeping three quarterbacks given who the other two are: journeyman Jacoby Brissett and fellow rookie Drake Maye. Milton brings something to the quarterback room that the Pats simply don’t have enough of on the rest of their roster: superior athleticism and playmaking ability. Milton had a strong preseason, so someone very likely would put in a claim if the Pats waived him and tried to slip him onto their practice squad. I don’t think New England wants to take that risk. However, nothing is a lock when you’re talking about the QB3 spot. I’m right on the fence between six and seven out of ten here, ergo the 6.5.
Kamal Hadden: 5/10
It feels like it could be a coin flip to get one of those final cornerback roster spots for Hadden. He’s had a pretty solid camp and preseason, but whether the Chiefs choose to address other areas of their roster can often leave guys who are right on the fringe off. And that’s right where Hadden is. You’d think he’d be a practice squad signee with them worst case – if he wasn’t claimed. I think it could go either way before Tuesday afternoon.
2024 UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
Out of this group, I see a handful that have a legitimate shot.
Jaylen McCullough: 6/10
If you’ve gotten Sean McVay’s attention, you’ve done something as a defender, and McCullough has this summer. Yeah, the Rams are heavy at safety with a lot of talent, but I feel like he’s on the right side of the bubble with his play this preseason.
Dee Williams: 6/10
Williams is on the edge, but I think he’s on the right side of the cut line in Seattle. He’s shown promise as a returner as well as holding his own at corner. I think that versatility keeps him on the roster.
Gabe Jeudy-Lally: 5/10
Jeudy-Lally’s had some good and bad showings in the preseason for the Titans, struggling mightily in the opener against San Francisco before coming on strong the next week against Seattle. The beat writers appear to be largely split on him making the 53, and I’m right there with them. Coin flip.
Ramel Keyton: 4/10
Keyton turned some heads with a highlight catch in camp for the Raiders, which he followed up with another highlight grab on Friday night against the 49ers. Unfortunately, it feels like it’s still not quite enough to catch on with a pretty deep group, albeit a relatively unproven one behind Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Tre Tucker. I’m gonna say no, but I think he’s got a puncher’s chance to stick.