The NFL season is only 5 days away when the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Houston Texans. Leading up to the 2020 NFL Season, each team must cut their respective rosters down to just 53 players. And like every year, the long list of cuts includes several surprises.
The 2020 NFL Season is expected to be one of the most bizarre ever. Few teams are allowing fans while it is nearly certain you will see games postponed due to positive COVID tests in locker rooms. The MLB season has recovered after several positive tests in the first week of the season.
Anyways, let’s get into our list. The list includes a future Hall of Famer, a pro-bowl safety, and a top 10 pick from the 2018 NFL Draft.
QB Josh Rosen- Miami Dolphins
Miami cut ties with the #10 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after being unable to find a trade partner. Rosen was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and traded to Miami last year because Arizona took Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. After being benched in Week 6 for Ryan Fitzpatrick, the UCLA product never saw the field again. When Miami selected Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth pick in April’s draft, it became obvious that Rosen was the odd man out.
It’s likely that Rosen will quickly be picked up by a team with an extra spot. He is still young (23) and has potential to become a full starter in the NFL.
SIGNING PREDICTION: Pittsburgh Steelers
RB Leonard Fournette- Jacksonville Jaguars
Fournette was one of the most surprising cuts leading up to the 2020 NFL Season. It had been obvious that both sides were not getting along after Fournette accused the team for not attempting to sign Cam Newton. The team had fined and suspended him for breaking rules multiple times.
But it was still a shock when it was announced he had been cut on Monday morning. Fournette is potentially a top 10 running back in the league and is still only 25 years old. He now joins a stacked Buccaneers offense alongside Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski.
RB Adrian Peterson- Washington Redskins
The thirty-five year old is a guaranteed future hall of famer. Entering his 14th season, Peterson is 5th on the all-time rushing list and is only 1,000 yards short of passing Barry Sanders. He was an unexpected cut after the Redskins had already parted ways with RB Derrius Guice last month who was arrested for domestic violence charges.
It’s unclear where Peterson goes from here. He still wants to play but at his age, it’s tough to see him being able to contribute at a high level. A team will likely pick him up as a veteran influence in the locker room.
SIGNING PREDICTION: Los Angeles Rams
WR Mohamed Sanu- New England Patriots
Sanu was easily the most shocking cut on this list. New England traded for him midway through last season and gave up a second-round pick in doing so. He only had one more year left on his contract and was expected to be their #2 WR alongside Julian Edelman. It is likely that his release was due to a conflict with members inside the organization.
It’s almost guaranteed that Sanu will get picked up almost immediately. He had 33 catches and a touchdown in just 7 games last year with Atlanta before getting traded. The veteran will likely sign and make solid contributions.
SIGNING PREDICTION: San Francisco 49ers
OLB Shaquem Griffin- Seattle Seahawks
Griffin is the brother of Shaquill Griffin, the Seahawks starting cornerback. He is well known by fans since he played in college at UCF for only having one hand. Griffin put on a tear at the 2018 NFL Combine when he ran a 4.38 40 yard dash, the fastest by a linebacker in the combine’s history. He also performed 20 bench reps despite only having one hand, something that is truly unimagineable. Griffin was a solid special teams player for Seattle over the past two seasons and it’s certain someone will take a flyer.
SIGNING PREDICTION: Philadelphia Eagles
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix- Dallas Cowboys
Clinton-Dix appeared to be an exciting signing by Dallas in the offseason but failed to make the opening season roster. The former first-round pick out of Alabama was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and had a decent season with Chicago in 2019. He had 78 tackles, 2 interceptions (including a pick-six), as well as two fumble recoveries.
Entering only his seventh season in the league, Clinton-Dix will likely find a new team in the coming days. He is a veteran with plenty of talent remaining and has played in various defensive systems in the league.
SIGNING PREDICTION: New England Patriots
CB Sydney Jones- Philadelphia Eagles
Jones was the Eagles second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Many considered him a first-round pick leading up to the draft but, he tore his Achilles on his pro day and slid down the boards. The Eagles snagged him hoping he could be a low risk but with a possible high reward type player.
The Washington product still has tons of potential and a change of scenery may have been for the best. Philadelphia added Darius Slay in the offseason to bolster the secondary and keeping Jones was just unnecessary.
SIGNING PREDICTION: Jacksonville Jaguars