Battle Red Blog
In eight years of crafting this series articles, there have been few rosters as difficult to determine the Final Cut as this one. Every decision hurts. Between recent injuries, players returning from injury, a jumbled RB room, and a mixed bag of backup cornerbacks, there are 60 worthy players for a 53-man roster. To put it another way, there are seven players who would make another team’s roster. Three short off-season ago, the number of “worthy” players was closer to 45….
This updated Rosterology has quite a few shifts. Brevin Jordan’s injury and the subsequent trade of John Metchie for Harrison Bryant shook up the TE room. The entire secondary depth is a folly to predict.
In a rare seismic shift, two roster spots have moved from the defense to the offense since the last publication. These spots go to Justin Watson and Dameon Pierce; neither of which have impressed this offseason.
The slot receiver seemed expendable after Houston added Jaylin Noel in the third round of the draft. However, he’s carved out an indispensable role as the best punt returner and safety valve for the second team offense. His route running and speed in an offense predicated on short, crisp passes is crucial to the system’s success. Plus, the trade of John Metchie III solidified his place on the roster.
Togiai lost his roster spot due to the return of Derek Barnett, Foley Fatukasi, and the addition of international player Haggai Ndubuisi. Ndubuisi can be on the 53-man roster and not count against the total with his exemption. These developments push Togiai off the roster and onto the practice squad, but don’t be surprised if he’s elevated in due time. The coaches love him.
With that, let’s get to the second-to-last prediction of the 53-man roster.
C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills
CUT: Kedon Slovis (emergency QB), Graham Mertz
Analysis: No changes here. Slovis is far-and-away the QB3 and has shown enough moxie to earn a roster spot on lesser offenses. Mills once again looked effective from the pocket against the Panthers.
Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Woody Marks, Dameon Pierce, Jakob Johnson
CUT: Dare Ogumbowale, Jawhar Jordan, British Brooks
Analysis: Last week’s article predicted Mixon will start on IR, but a more likely outcome will be him missing the first week or so of the season. The decision to keep five or six RB is predicated on Joe Mixon’s health, though they kept six last year with a healthy Mixon.
This position presents multiple hard decision as it’s wildly unclear how the team views Dameon Pierce. Pierce recently returned to practice and rotated with Nick...
