The third week of preseason is in the books, and now the real drama begins. By Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, every NFL franchise must trim down to 53 players. For some, it’s the start of a dream. For others, it’s the end of the line. And for coaches and general managers, it’s a balancing act between potential and immediate impact.
All across the league, preseason finales gave us one last look at who might sneak onto a roster and who may be heading to the waiver wire. Every rep carried weight–whether it was a rookie receiver diving into the end zone or a backup quarterback trying to show he belongs.
In Dallas, Joe Milton III steadied his shaky preseason with a touchdown pass and a rushing score. His performance may not guarantee a job, but it’s enough to make the Cowboys think twice. The bigger battle, though, is at receiver, where Jalen Brooks’ highlight-reel touchdown grab put him toe-to-toe with Ryan Flournoy for the final spot.
The Giants have their own QB drama. Tommy DeVito lit up New England with three first-half touchdowns, but the numbers game suggests he’s still the odd man out. On defense, Art Green and D.J. Davidson looked like they secured depth roles thanks to tough tackling and disruptive plays.
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Philadelphia’s secondary carousel is spinning, with Adoree’ Jackson looking like the Week 1 starter opposite rookie Quinyon Mitchell. Parry Nickerson’s diving interception may just have earned him a lifeline. Washington, meanwhile, faces uncertainty after Sam Hartman’s continued struggles leave Marcus Mariota’s health–and veteran Josh Johnson’s future–in the spotlight.
Elsewhere, Detroit seems ready to ride with Kyle Allen as Jared Goff’s backup, while Green Bay’s decision to juggle Sean Clifford and rookie Taylor Elgersma could push both toward the practice squad. In Minnesota, Max Brosmer made a late case, but the Vikings may not want him one play away from starting.
In the NFC South, Carolina might be shopping Hunter Renfrow after auditioning him in the preseason finale, while Tampa Bay rookie Tez Johnson was nearly unstoppable, catching eight passes with a score. For New Orleans, Landon Young’s injury has forced the Saints into scramble mode for offensive line depth.
This is cutdown week in the NFL–one where dreams are made, jobs are lost, and rosters are reshaped. And as The Athletic points out, what’s official on Tuesday rarely stays that way for long. Waiver claims, late trades, and surprise signings are coming next