And then there were 53. On Tuesday, every NFL team had to reduce their offseason rosters from 90 players to the final 53-man squad. Despite some players having impressive summers, roster constraints often lead to tough decisions. However, not making an initial roster doesn’t mean the end of the road; there are still opportunities to find a new team somewhere in the league.
While Tuesday’s deadline focuses on player cuts and waivers, it’s also a key moment for continued roster adjustments as we approach Week 1. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted several notable players who are now free agents and identified potential landing spots for each.
Desmond Ridder
Quarterback
After spending two years with the Falcons, Desmond Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in a rare player-for-player swap with wide receiver Rondale Moore. Despite a strong battle for the QB2 position behind Kyler Murray, Ridder lost out to Clayton Tune. The 24-year-old, who started 13 games for Atlanta last season and went 6-7, is now looking for a new opportunity.
Potential Landing Spot: Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have Matthew Stafford as their starter and signed Jimmy Garoppolo as a backup, but with Garoppolo suspended for the first two games, Ridder could fill in as an emergency quarterback. He might also stick around on the practice squad and develop under head coach Sean McVay.
Bailey Zappe
Quarterback
A fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2022, Bailey Zappe has shown promise during his two-season tenure, starting eight games and going 4-4 in those starts. Although he struggled towards the end of last season, Zappe remains a solid backup quarterback who can step in when needed.
Potential Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers. While there’s a chance Zappe could return to the Patriots’ practice squad, the Chargers could be a good fit. Easton Stick is currently the backup behind Justin Herbert, but Zappe might be an upgrade, especially considering Stick’s struggles last season.
Kadarius Toney
Wide Receiver
When the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Kadarius Toney in 2022, there was hope he’d become a key weapon for Patrick Mahomes. While Toney had some significant moments, he never reached the expected heights and has now fallen out of favor in a revamped Chiefs receiving corps.
Potential Landing Spot: Washington Commanders. With the Commanders trading away Jahan Dotson, they could be interested in Toney’s potential. His raw talent might appeal to Washington’s coaching staff, especially with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury at the helm.
Noah Brown
Wide Receiver
Noah Brown has been a reliable receiver over the past few seasons, recording back-to-back campaigns with at least 550 receiving yards. Known for his explosive performances, he could be a valuable addition to any team in need of receiver depth.
Potential Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers could benefit from adding Brown to their roster, particularly with the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. While they have promising young receivers, Brown could provide veteran experience and depth for Justin Herbert.
Samaje Perine
Running Back
Samaje Perine remains a dependable pass-catching back as he enters his age-29 season. While the Broncos are moving forward with younger backs, Perine’s experience could be a smart addition for teams looking to bolster their backfield.
Potential Landing Spot: Green Bay Packers. With AJ Dillon out for the season, Perine could be an ideal replacement in Green Bay. His ability to contribute in passing situations would complement Josh Jacobs and strengthen the Packers’ backfield.
Caleb Farley
Cornerback
Caleb Farley, a first-round pick in 2021, has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including two ACL tears and a back injury that sidelined him last season. Despite his injury history, his potential could still make him a valuable asset.
Potential Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns. The Browns might take a chance on Farley due to his connection with Mike Vrabel, who is now a coaching and personnel consultant in Cleveland. This low-risk move could add depth to the Browns’ secondary.
Lewis Cine
Safety
Lewis Cine, the last pick of the first round in the 2022 NFL Draft, had his rookie season cut short by a severe leg injury and played only seven games last year. However, his potential could make him a valuable addition to a team in need of safety depth.
Potential Landing Spot: New York Giants. With Xavier McKinney gone, the Giants have a need at safety. Cine, if he stays healthy, could be a gamble worth taking as they rebuild their defense.
Terrace Marshall Jr.
Wide Receiver
Terrace Marshall Jr., a second-round pick by the Panthers in 2021, has shown flashes of his potential but has yet to fully break out. With his best season in 2022, he’s now searching for a new team that can help him reach his full potential.
Potential Landing Spot: Buffalo Bills. With the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, the Bills have plenty of targets up for grabs. Marshall could be a valuable addition to their receiver corps, offering Josh Allen another weapon.
Isaiah Spiller
Running Back
Isaiah Spiller, a fourth-round pick by the Chargers in 2022, has yet to live up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of Texas A&M. With limited opportunities in Los Angeles, he’s now looking for a fresh start.
Potential Landing Spot: Las Vegas Raiders. Given GM Tom Telesco’s history with Spiller, the Raiders might be interested in seeing if they can unlock his potential, especially since their current backfield lacks depth.
Tim Patrick
Wide Receiver
Tim Patrick has dealt with season-ending injuries in the past two years, but when healthy, he’s proven to be a productive receiver. He’s looking to bounce back and contribute to an NFL offense once again.
Potential Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers. With questions surrounding the Steelers’ receiving depth behind George Pickens, Patrick could be a valuable addition if he’s able to stay healthy and return to form.
