The 2026 NFL roster cutdown deadline has passed. That means the league's free agent stockpile just added more than 1,000 new names to its ranks.
The majority of those players won't play another snap in the NFL this year, instead cast off to the UFL or arena leagues or a life outside of the game. A significant chunk will revert to the practice squads of the franchises with which they spent the summer, serving a similar role as they did throughout the preseason. But a select few will be claimed off waivers, bringing them to new homes and a second chance to stand out on the active roster.
Who are the most intriguing names on that list? Here's my highly subjective top 10.
1. LB Tyrel Dodson
Former team: Miami Dolphins
Dodson is a productive off-ball presence who set a career
high with 129 tackles last season alongside a modest 8.5 percent missed tackle rate. He's a positive force in the middle of the field, but Miami's new coaching regime didn't see a future for him in their rebuild.
2. S Geno Stone
Former team: Buffalo Bills
Stone had seven interceptions for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and started 34 games for the Cincinnati Bengals across 2024 and 2025. His coverage slipped and his missed tackle rate spiked, but he remains a useful veteran presence for a team in need of secondary help.
3. QB Will Levis
Former team: Tennessee Titans
Who wants to roll the dice on a quarterbackwho now looks like the beta release of the quarterback who'd become Jaxson Dart? Levis is an all-gas passer who underwhelmed in Nashville and eventually slipped to third in the pecking order. But he's got a big arm and useful scrambling, which makes him a viable candidate to be the Cleveland Browns' fifth QB.
4. LB Red Murdock
Former team: Denver Broncos
The 2026 NFL Draft's Mr. Irrelevant looked bound for a roster spot after a solid preseason showing. Instead, the prolific off-ball linebacker -- he had 298 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 13 forced fumbles his final two seasons at Buffalo -- was left off Denver's final roster.
Slightly undersized at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds with average athleticism, he may be limited to a rotational role in the pros. Even so, he may get sniped off waivers before he can revert to Sean Payton's practice squad.
5. WR Lewis Bond
Former team: Houston Texans
The rookie sixth round pick was a useful slot presence at Boston College, catching 207 passes for 2,328 yards and 11 touchdowns over his final three seasons. That was supposed to give him an edge in a roster battle at a position decimated by injuries (Jayden Higgins, Tank Dell).
Instead, Kayshon Boutte's arrival took away spot Bond could have filled. After disappointing production in preseason games, Bond's solid training camp failed to earn him a locker.
6. K Kansei Matsuzawa
Former team: Las Vegas Raiders
NFL kickers take time to develop -- it's why drafting them often works out poorly for the team that invested the pick. Matsuzawa was a Lou Groza Award finalist as one of the top kickers in college football after converting 27 of 29 field goals in an All-American season.
He learned the game by watching YouTube videos and bet on himself by leaving Japan to play in the States. Count him out at your own peril.
7. CB Bralyn Lux
Former team: Cincinnati Bengals
The undrafted free agent got first team reps at nickel corner this preseason. Ultimately, he couldn't crack the final roster for a team with two reliable young starters in Dax Hill and DJ Turner and who just drafted Tacario Davis in the third round. But he may be vulnerable to being scooped by a team that paid attention this preseason. If not, expect him to be elevated from the practice squad this fall.
8. LB Trevin Wallace
Former team: Carolina Panthers
Wallace was s 2024 third-round pick and started 20 games the last two seasons. He was generally underwhelming in that stretch, but he's still just 23 years old. A change of scenery -- and a defensive coordinator capable of wringing some consistency out of him -- could push him to meet his draft potential.
9. DT Uar Bernard
Former team: Philadelphia Eagles
Bernard may be one of the NFL's best athletes; a ripped 306-pounder with 4.6-second 40 speed and a 39-inch vertical leap. However, his three preseason games this summer were the first he'd ever played at any level.
He's a massive gamble, and carving out a roster spot for him means effectively carrying a redshirting player through the season when his participation will be minimal. The most likely outcome is a spot on Philadelphia's practice squad, but an undermanned team with minimal playoff hopes this winter could take a chance on this absolute mutant of a d-lineman.
10. P JK Scott
Former team: Los Angeles Chargers
Scott's 47.9 yards per punt and 41.4 net yards per punt were both above-average marks. The 30-year-old is a reliable performer and could be a plug-and-play solution for a team with special teams needs.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: The 10 best NFL players waived on cutdown day before roster deadline
