NFL teams prioritize their biggest needs during free agency and the draft. High draft picks are expected to contribute from Day 1 and compete for starting positions, while late-round steals can also put veterans in jeopardy of losing their starting jobs, roster spots, or becoming trade bait. Players who survived in February and March are not guaranteed anything, and most teams will wait until the roster cutdown deadline to release or trade these players, hoping to receive trade compensation.
Without further ado, here are four NFL veterans in danger of losing a roster spot.
Buffalo Bills: WR Curtis Samuel
- Contract: 3-year, $24 million
- 2025 Cap Hit: $9,065,000
- Post June 1st Cap Savings: $430,000 ($8,635,000 dead cap in 2025 and $3,450,000 in 2026)
Curtis Samuel had a rough regular season, finishing as the team’s ninth-leading receiver, but clicked in the playoffs. He had 31 receptions on 46 targets for 253 yards and one touchdown in 14 regular-season games and two starts. Samuel also hauled in six receptions on eight targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs.
The Bills improved their receiving corps in the offseason, signing Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, and Laviska Shenault Jr., and drafting Kaden Prather in the seventh round. With Palmer expected to start, Samuel will compete against Moore, Shenault, and Prather for the WR4 and WR5 spots. Since both players are cheaper options, the front office struggles to justify keeping him at $8 million per year, not to start.
Miami Dolphins: RB Alexander Mattison
- Contract: 1-year, $1,337,500
- 2025 Cap Hit: $1,197,500
- Post June 1st Cap Savings: $0
Alexander Mattison had a rough season with the Las Vegas Raiders, averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. He rushed for 420 yards on 132 attempts and four touchdowns, plus 36 receptions on 48 targets for 294 yards and one touchdown in 14 games and seven starts.
The Dolphins signed Mattison to improve an offense that ranked among the worst in short yardage in 2024. With Raheem Mostert gone, De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright are poised for larger roles. The team also drafted 2023 Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon II in the sixth round, who will compete for the number-three running back spot and could be better suited for short-yardage situations.
New England Patriots: WR Kendrick Bourne
- Contract: 3-year, $19,500,000
- 2025 Cap Hit: $7,700,000
- Post June 1st Cap Savings: $6,300,000 ($1,400,000 dead cap in 2025 and 2026)
Kendrick Bourne missed the first four games to recover from the ACL injury and wasn’t himself once he returned, finishing as the team’s fifth-leading receiver. He had 28 receptions on 38 targets for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 games and nine starts. Bourne did not play in Week 10 because of a coach’s decision to utilize the younger receivers.
The Patriots bolstered their receiving depth by signing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, drafting Kyle Williams in the third round, and signing Efton Chism II as an undrafted free agent. With Diggs, Hollins, Williams, Chism, and Pop Douglas expected to make the 53-man roster, Bourne will compete against Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker for the final roster spot/s. The front office might decide to fill the back end of the roster with young players over a veteran.
New York Jets: T Chukwuma Okorafor
- Contract: 1-year, $1,337,500
- 2025 Cap Hit: $1,197,500
- Post June 1st Cap Savings: $440,000 ($757,500 dead cap)
Chukwuma Okorafor won the starting left tackle job for the New England Patriots, but that didn’t last very long. He allowed three pressures and one quarterback hit in 12 snaps before the Patriots benched him in Week 1. As a result. Okorafor quit on the team and spent the rest of the season on the Left Squad List.
Also Read: New England Patriots: Suddenly Placed an Offensive Starter on The Left Squad List Ahead of Week 2
The Jets signed Okorafor to compete for the swing tackle role against Max Mitchell and Warren Carter. Both Mitchell and Carter can play both tackle positions, while the veteran had difficulty playing left tackle last year. Because of this, the front office might keep two reserve tackles, not three.
