The NFL's 53-man roster deadline has come and gone, and as usual, cutdown weekend produced more than a few surprises.
Former high draft picks, productive veterans and intriguing young players suddenly find themselves looking for new homes. But three quarterbacks immediately stand out: Will Levis, Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe.
Quarterbacks
Will Levis | QB
Former Team: Tennessee Titans
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the entire cutdown period.
The Titans selected Levis in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the expectation that he could eventually become their franchise quarterback. Three years later, he found himself fourth on Tennessee's depth chart behind Cam Ward, Mitchell Trubisky and Hendon Hooker.
Now Levis gets a chance to restart his career somewhere else.
Joe Milton III | QB
Former Team: Dallas Cowboys
This one deserves attention.
Milton was released by Dallas despite another impressive preseason showing, throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns.
At 26 years old, Milton is reaching the point where simply being viewed as a developmental quarterback isn't enough. His combination of arm strength, athletic ability and preseason production should warrant an opportunity to legitimately compete for a quarterback job.
Dallas reportedly wants Milton back on its practice squad, and that's understandable from the Cowboys' perspective.
But from Milton's perspective?
S³ says take a chance, Joe.
If another organization is willing to give him a legitimate path toward becoming a QB2 or competing for playing time, Milton should strongly consider taking it.
Bailey Zappe | QB
Former Team: New York Jets
Zappe couldn't survive a crowded Jets quarterback room and now becomes another experienced young quarterback available to teams looking for depth.
Running Backs & Receivers
Jaydon Blue | RB
Former Team: Dallas Cowboys
One of Dallas' more surprising decisions. Blue appeared to have positioned himself for a significant backup role during the preseason but was waived during the final roster shuffle.
Jaleel McLaughlin | RB
Former Team: Denver Broncos
McLaughlin became the victim of one of the league's deeper backfield competitions. He has already shown he can contribute at the NFL level and should attract interest.
Mecole Hardman Jr. | WR
Former Team: Buffalo Bills
The veteran receiver and return threat couldn't secure a spot in Buffalo's revamped receiving corps. His speed and special-teams experience could still make him useful to another contender.
Cedric Tillman | WR
Former Team: Cleveland Browns
A younger name worth watching. Cleveland's decision to move on from Tillman puts a developmental receiver with NFL experience onto the market.
Defensive & Offensive Line Names to Watch
Evan Neal | OT
Former Team: New York Giants
The No. 7 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft never developed into the cornerstone tackle New York envisioned.
Injuries and inconsistent play ultimately ended his Giants tenure, but pedigree alone should earn the 25-year-old another opportunity.
Mazi Smith | DT
Former Team: New York Jets
Another former first-round pick hits the market.
Smith couldn't secure his place on the Jets' defensive front, but young interior defensive linemen with his physical tools tend to receive second and third opportunities.
Tyrel Dodson | LB
Former Team: Miami Dolphins
Arguably one of the most productive players available.
Dodson recorded 129 tackles and five sacks last season, making his release particularly interesting. Unlike some players on this list who are being evaluated largely on potential, Dodson has recent production to sell.
Emmanuel Ogbah | EDGE
Former Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Ogbah brings veteran pass-rushing experience and could make sense as a rotational defensive lineman for a contender.
Specialists
Johnny Hekker | P
Former Team: Minnesota Vikings
The four-time first-team All-Pro is one of the most accomplished punters of his generation. At this stage of his career, Hekker may simply need the right situation to continue playing.
Jason Sanders | K
Former Team: New York Jets
Another established specialist suddenly available after New York's roster restructuring.
S³ Top 5 Cutdown Free Agents
- Tyrel Dodson | LB
Proven production makes him one of the safest options available. - Joe Milton III | QB
The upside remains too intriguing to ignore. It's time to find out what Milton can actually do with a legitimate opportunity. - Will Levis | QB
Whatever happened in Tennessee, former second-round quarterbacks with Levis' physical ability don't disappear from NFL radars overnight. - Cedric Tillman | WR
Youth, size and developmental upside should generate interest. - Evan Neal | OT
The Giants chapter didn't work, but offensive tackles are too valuable for a former top-10 selection to remain unemployed for long.
S³ Bottom Line
Roster cutdown day isn't necessarily the end of an NFL player's story.
Sometimes it's the beginning of the next one.
For veterans such as Hekker and Ogbah, the next opportunity may simply be about finding the right contender. For former high picks such as Levis, Neal and Smith, it's about rebuilding their careers.
And then there's Joe Milton.
Milton has spent enough time being discussed as an intriguing developmental quarterback. At 26, another year buried on a practice squad doesn't answer the question everyone keeps asking:
Can Joe Milton play quarterback in the NFL?
Someone should give him the opportunity to find out.
S³ | SWEET SCIENCE SPORTS
