Most Notable Players Who Were Just Cut From Their NFL Teams
NFL Cutdown Day is always a mix of heartbreak and surprise. Over a thousand players around the league lose their roster spots, and while some will land on practice squads or get another shot, others face a more brutal reality.
This year’s round of cuts delivered plenty of jaw-droppers. Instead of running through every single release, we pulled together a list of the ten names that stood out most.
10. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Bills
The Bills trimmed their wide receiver room by letting go of Shenault, a former second-round pick of the Jaguars. He was always intriguing as a returner and gadget player, but questions about separation and hands followed him. He’ll likely draw some interest for his special-teams value, but this cut shows how quickly teams are willing to move on if a role isn’t clearly defined.
9. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Seahawks
MVS built a reputation as a deep threat by winning two Super Bowls with the Chiefs and averaging 22.6 yards per catch last season. Seattle brought him in for that skill, but rookie Tory Horton grabbed the role instead. At 31, Valdes-Scantling still has speed, and his playoff pedigree may help him land somewhere in need of a vertical threat.
8. Cam Akers, RB, Saints
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Akers’ career has been a roller coaster. He tore his Achilles in 2021, rehabbed in time to help the Rams win the Super Bowl, then bounced between teams. New Orleans did consider him, but he couldn’t crack the rotation behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller.
7. Mecole Hardman, WR, Packers
Hardman caught the overtime game-winner in Super Bowl LVIII just two years ago. Now, he’s back on the market after failing to carve out a role in Green Bay. He’s still only 27 and brings speed plus playoff experience, but his production outside Kansas City has been limited. A reunion with the Chiefs wouldn’t be shocking if they want another burner on the roster.
6. Robert Woods, WR, Steelers
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Woods has been around the league long enough to know how this works. At 33, he’s not the dynamic receiver he once was, but he’s reliable with two 1,000-yard seasons and a Super Bowl ring on his résumé. The Steelers brought him in on a cheap deal for veteran depth, but their receiver room moved in another direction.
5. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Packers
Simmons is yet another high draft pick who hasn’t found the right fit. He was taken eighth overall by the Cardinals in 2020, before bouncing to the Giants and then the Packers. Green Bay hoped he could be a versatile piece, but his hybrid role never clicked. At 27, he’s still athletic enough to get attention, though the window for him to prove it as a consistent starter is shrinking.
4. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Commanders
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Ferrell was the fourth overall pick in 2019, but he never lived up to that billing. After stops with the Raiders and 49ers, he played one season in Washington and finished with 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Despite steady playing time, the Commanders decided to move forward without him.
3. Hunter Renfrow, WR, Panthers
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It wasn’t long ago that Renfrow was a Pro Bowl slot receiver with the Raiders who posted a 1,000-yard season in 2021. He missed the 2024 season while battling ulcerative colitis and tried to return with the Panthers, but they went with younger receivers for Bryce Young. Even so, Renfrow’s reliable hands and sharp routes could still help a team looking for a steady slot option.
2. Cole Strange, G, Patriots
Bill Belichick surprised many in 2022 when he used a first-round pick on Cole Strange. His time in New England never really took off; injuries, including a torn patellar tendon in 2023, kept him off the field. He played only three games last season, and the new front office chose to move on. Still, offensive line help is always valuable, so Strange should get another shot with a different team.
1. Tommy DeVito, QB, Giants
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“Tommy Cutlets” became a New York folk hero back in 2023 when he stepped in and rattled off wins for the Giants. Fast forward two years, and the team has moved on after bringing in Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart. DeVito’s 3-5 record as a starter and eight touchdown passes weren’t enough to keep him on the 53. He’s a prime candidate for a practice squad, but his days as the unlikely face of the franchise seem over.