The 2022 NFL season is upon us. With just one week of pre-season remaining, the teams are approaching one of the busiest days on the annual calendar. The 32 clubs must reduce their rosters to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on August 30, just over a week before the first game of the regular season. Before that, however, a number of teams will try to get last-minute returns on notable players, buying potential league discounts.
Here are a dozen names to watch as possible trade targets ahead of cut day:
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo
He’s basically been available for two years, so barring a major quarterback injury in practice or a preseason finale, the veteran is set to be released outright, which will allow San Francisco to save $25.5 million. Chances are the tried-and-true flagger will still start the games in 2022; it’s just a matter of where and how long.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt
The former Chiefs standout, a top Nick Chubb complement, has reportedly asked for a trade while seeking a raise. Due at $6.25 million for the final year of his contract, he would be just a hire for anyone who doesn’t want to extend it immediately, but his all-around ability, including as a wide receiver, remains top-notch. Pro-Bowl.
RB Chiefs Ronald Jones
Two years into a nearly 1,000-yard season for the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, the former first-rounder is a forgotten man on the Kansas City committee, and his paltry preseason work suggests he could well be cut. He’s been stunned for fumbling and mental errors, but he’s still a solid, straightforward ball carrier.
Ernest Johnson Browns RB
If Cleveland keeps the Chubb-Hunt duo intact, they could be looking to save some cash by auctioning off Johnson instead, especially after the former undrafted backup produced 500 yards as an injury replacement in 2021. The team also has Demetric Felton Jr., who’s had a lot of work as a wide receiver, on the roster.
Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne
He’s got a huge Mac Jones fan, he just finished an underrated 800-yard season, and he’s a cost-conscious option signed through 2023. But Bill Belichick kept him out of practices and pre-season lately due to disciplinary and New England issues. the reception hall is suddenly full with DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor locked in jobs.
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Giants WR Darius Slayton
There are few, if any, players on the Giants’ transition roster that new general manager Joe Schoen wouldn’t be willing to deal with, and Slayton, despite two consecutive 700-yard seasons to start his career as a big player, has dropped the depth chart behind younger options like Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson. As a WR3/4 flyer, it might catch a few glances.
Eagles WR Jalen Reagor
Most years, general manager Howie Roseman could wait another season to see if such a large investment could still materialize. Reagor, after all, is only 23 years old after finishing 21st overall in 2020. But neither his top speed nor his hands showed up on Sunday. A change of scenery seems more doable with AJ Brown and Zach Pascal joining DeVonta Smith on the outside.
Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
The old second round looks like the kind of sturdy chess piece that might appeal to new coach Doug Pederson, but not when the reception hall has been completely redone for Trevor Lawrence, with Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Marvin Jones all locked in the first places. . In addition, Travis Etienne is on the way to becoming the Swiss army knife.
Lions WR Quintez Cephus
Detroit’s receiving corps is fairly underrated, with DJ Chark and Jameson Williams joining Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds on the outside. That leaves Cephus, just 24 and coming off a year shortened by injury, on the brink. It’s possible that another team could take more advantage of their long-term advantage as a reserve.
Bills TE OJ Howard
The big man seemed like a natural candidate for the Bills’ tough, high-octane offense when he signed a one-year contract in free agency, but the former Buccaneers first-rounder was oddly uninvolved. and/or unspectacular during pre-season. Buffalo could try to sell Howard’s advantage in exchange for a late-round pick.
Bears LB Roquan Smith
At the heart of Chicago’s defense, he requested a trade during camp but failed to get the team’s permission to look for suitors. It looks like the All-Pro wrecking ball is ready to adapt anyway, hoping to secure a bigger contract in 2023 in free agency. But if an interested party comes calling with a premium offer, the Bears will surely listen.
Ravens S Chuck Clark
The six-year veteran finished the summer strong, avoiding the hype for rookie Kyle Hamilton to take over at safety. But Hamilton’s time will come, and with former Saints player Marcus Williams also on board for big money, Baltimore could look to capitalize on Clark’s value as a versatile defender ahead of his penultimate season under contract. .