August 30 was a brutal day to be a pretty good football player. That's when NFL franchises had totrim their rosters from a limit of 90 across the preseason to 53 in advance of opening night September 9.
More than 1,000 players were sent to the waiver wire, where three options remain. They'll either languish as free agents after going unclaimed, sign to a team's practice squad -- most commonly the same one that just cut them -- or, in a select few cases, sign to the active roster of another needy team that appreciates their skills.
This year's lineup of waived players was modest when it came to big names. Even so, there are still a handful of useful veterans and intriguing rookies who could quickly find new homes. Working off our list of the top
10 players jettisoned on cutdown day, let's play matchmaker and find some useful players new homes before Week 1.
1. LB Tyrel Dodson
- Former team: Miami Dolphins
- Best 2026 fit: Cincinnati Bengals
Dodson's coverage is limited but his tackling is soundly above average. He may be limited to a two-down role, but he'd be a boon for a Bengals defense that ranked30th in expected points added (EPA) allowed on rushing plays in 2025.
2. S Geno Stone
- Former team: Buffalo Bills
- Best 2026 fit: Washington Commanders
Washington's top free safety onits preliminary depth chartis Jeremy Reaves, who is 30 years old and best known for his special teams abilities. The Commanders need help in center field. Stone is flawed, but he can be an opportunistic finisher, as proven by his seven interceptions in 2023.
3. QB Will Levis
- Former team: Tennessee Titans
- Best 2026 fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It took a lot of restraint not to throw the Cleveland Browns into the mix here. And a New York Giants quarterbacks meeting with Levis, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart and a cameo appearance from Cam Skattebo would rival the Rex Ryan season of Hard Knocks.
But Tampa's backup behind Baker Mayfield is Jalon Daniels, who is wonderful but also an undrafted rookie. Mayfield may be reaching a contract impasse with the Bucs. Levis isn't a great escape plan, but he'd be at least modest insurance who could contribute in case of injury in 2026.
4. LB Red Murdock
- Former team: Denver Broncos
- Best 2026 fit: Carolina Panthers
The Panthers dropped an inside linebacker who'll show up on this list later. Their current backups behind Bobby Okereke and Devin Lloyd are seventh round rookie Jackson Kuwatch and Claudin Cherilus, who has worked his way up the roster but struggled in coverage. Murdock is 2026's Mr. Irrelevant, but was wickedly productive at Buffalo (an NCAA record 17 forced fumbles!) and looked like he belonged on the field in his preseason tryout with Denver.
5. WR Lewis Bond
- Former team: Houston Texans
- Best 2026 fit: Las Vegas Raiders
Bond was a steady and productive slot presence who looked solid in practice for the Texans but struggled to make an impact in actual preseason games. The Raiders have one of the league's worst receiving corps, and Jalen Nailor's ability to play inside or split wide could carve out a path to playing time for the sixth round rookie. Bond had 207 catches, 2,328 yards and 11 touchdowns his final three seasons at Boston College.
6. K Kansei Matsuzawa
- Former team: Las Vegas Raiders
- Best 2026 fit: Los Angeles Rams
This would be a practice squad situation -- no NFL team is going to roster two kickers -- but Matsuzawa could be much needed insurance should Harrison Mevis struggle after winning the top job by making 12 of 13 field goals across nine games in last year's regular season.
7. CB Bralyn Lux
- Former team: Cincinnati Bengals
- Best 2026 fit: Chicago Bears
Chicago needs depth and projectable talent in its secondary -- and particularly in the slot, where projected starter Cam Lewis isn't especially lighting the world on fire. Lux performed well in Cincinnati, but a deep well of young cornerbacks kept him from earning a full-time role. The Bears just added Clark Phillips II while trading away Gervon Dexter, but that shouldn't stop them from welcoming another useful young defensive back to the fold.
8. LB Trevin Wallace
- Former team: Carolina Panthers
- Best 2026 fit: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts kept six off-ball linebackers, but none are especially encouraging. Rookie second round pick CJ Allen struggled after a slow injury-marred start to training camp. Akeem Davis-Gaither allowed a 127.7 passer rating in coverage last fall. Wallace is a flawed player, but he's a strong athlete who could benefit from a change of scenery -- and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo might be just the guy to coax some consistency out of him.
9. DT Uar Bernard
- Former team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Best 2026 fit: Philadelphia Eagles
Bernard is some kind of fairy tale creature, clocking in at over 300 pounds but with 4.6-second 40 speed, a 39-inch vertical leap and six percent body fat. He's also only played in two American football games in his life, both coming this preseason.
He could be an absolute monster, but he won't be in 2026. It's unlikely another team would devote a roster spot to a player who'll have Darko Milicic-type rookie campaign, so Philly's practice squad makes the most sense for him.
10. P JK Scott
- Former team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Best 2026 fit: San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco's 53-man roster doesn't include a punter. Scott is likely the best option available.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Where the NFL's 10 best players cut this preseason could land
