For deep dynasty players, cutdown day means a lot even without blockbuster trades and starting running backs getting released and signed on the same day. Here’s a take per team about what you need to know in deep dynasty leagues
Arizona: The team kept seven wide receivers and whoever produces will get playing time and targets. Behind starters Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald, rookies KeeSean Johnson and Andy Isabella will get first crack at snaps along with Air Raid farmhand Michael Crabtree, but be open to Trent Sherfield and Damiere Byrd having value at some point this year.
Atlanta: The team kept five running backs, including return specialist Kenjon Barner (and six if you count fullback Ricky Ortiz). We’ll see whether Brian Hill or fifth-round pick Qadree Ollison is the healthy scratch on gamedays. Olamide Zaccheus made the team as the sixth receiver and could develop into an excellent slot receiver.
Baltimore: Kenneth Dixon goes on injured reserve, and Jaleel Scott makes it as fourth outside receiver. If the rookies struggle and Chris Moore underwhelms, Scott could be a big downfield target for Lamar Jackson in a new look pass offense.
Buffalo: We all know about LeSean McCoy’s release and the ripple effect. Deep dynasty leaguers should also note that converted wide receiver Jason Croom made the team after being on the bubble all summer.
Carolina: Cameron Artis-Payne is out, which means Jordan Scarlett and Reggie Bonnafon are probably a committee behind Christian McCaffrey.
Chicago: Ryan “Wrecking” Nall is out and seventh-round pick Kerrith Whyte is in. Whyte is explosive and proved himself after toiling behind Devin Singletary at Florida Atlantic.
Cincinnati: Auden Tate made it after another strong summer and Josh Malone barely survived over special teams contributor Cody Core.
Cleveland: The team traded some couch cushion change for Taywan Taylor, which could be bad news for Antonio Callaway if Taylor shows out well as a deep threat while Callaway is suspended for the first four games. Dontrell Hilliard also faded as the summer went on and D’Ernest Johnson made the team in the backfield to give the team more depth while Kareem Hunt is suspended.
Dallas: Devin Smith is back from the dead and he could add a vertical dimension to an already improved pass offense. Darius Jackson and Mike Weber are gone, indicating some confidence that Ezekiel Elliott will be back soon.
Denver: Juwann Winfree made it after a very strong summer including praise from all-world corner Chris Harris. He could move up the depth chart over time if Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton’s development stalls out.
Detroit: The team appears to be ready to have Chris Lacy and sixth-round pick Travis Fulgham as the primary outside backups at wide receiver. We’ll see if they make any further moves at the position over the next two weeks.
Green Bay: Dexter Williams beat out Tra Carson to be the #3 back, but another shoe could drop here with solid backs on the street. J’Mon Moore didn’t make it over UDFA Darrius Shepherd, as the team gave up on the highest drafted receiver of the trio they took last year.
Houston: The team gave up on all of their fringe wide receiver and running back prospects in favor of Carlos Hyde and Kenny Stills. Buddy Howell and Taiwan Jones are still around on the back of special teams contributors if they become the fourth team to sour on Hyde. DeAndre Carter is the fifth receiver.
Indianapolis: Chester Rogers made it despite a somewhat hefty RFA price tag for a player of his stature and record, and Zach Pascal did too. This is still a much less exciting situation to monitor for deep dynasty receivers.
Jacksonville: CJ Board made the team as a sixth receiver. He had top end speed, explosion, and agility numbers among 2017 draft prospects. The team claimed Devine Ozigbo off of waivers and he could ascend their backup in short order.
Kansas City: Byron Pringle made the team as a bench receiver. After two strong summers in a row, he’s a name to monitor if injuries strike the Chiefs receivers. Remember that Tyreek Hill and Demarcus Robinson will be free agents next year, and Sammy Watkins in 2021.
Los Angeles Chargers: Artavis Scott didn’t make it after generating some buzz in the offseason, probably in part because Dontrelle Inman is back. Inman could have value after a Chargers receiver or two go down for yet another year.
Los Angeles Rams: John Kelly was cut and I’ll applaud whoever picks him up. He’s not that different than Devin Singletary.
Miami: The team kept Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin as fourth and fifth backs on a very unsettled long term depth chart. Matt Waldman favorite Isaiah Ford didn’t make it at wide receiver over Allen Hurns.
Minnesota: Rick Spielman cut a player he just gave a fifth-round pick for - kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik. The team also kept Bisi Johnson as the fourth receiver and Ameer Abdullah as the fourth back.
New England: Demaryius Thomas looked great in the fourth preseason game but didn’t make the final roster. The Patriots could bring him back in Week 2 after veteran contracts become non-guaranteed.
New Orleans: Devine Ozigbo and Emmanuel Butler were UDFA stars of the summer, but didn’t do enough to make it over Dwayne Washington and Austin Carr.
New York Giants: Rod Smith went on injured reserve, which means Wayne Gallman and Paul Perkins are backing up Saquon Barkley
New York Jets: Elijah McGuire is out and Trenton Cannon is in as the fourth back. The team also claimed Braxton Berrios to keep the Patriots-Jets pipeline going.
Oakland: Marcell Ateman is out after playing a role for the team last year. Keelan Doss didn’t made it after a strong summer. Veteran Ryan Grant got the final spot at wide receiver.
Philadelphia: Mack Hollins survived despite a strong push from former quarterback Greg Ward
Pittsburgh: Eli Rogers is out to give Ryan Switzer a slightly wider path to value as a slot receiver in an offense with a lot of 2018 targets up for grabs.
Seattle: Jaron Brown is out in a cost-cutting move although the team could always bring him back. They chose to keep Malik Turner, Gary Jennings, and John Ursua over size/speed UDFA Jazz Ferguson at wide receiver. Travis Homer made the team over JD McKissic, who was claimed by the Lions.
San Francisco: The team is comfortable with three backs, as Jeff Wilson was released, and Kendrick Bourne and Richie James made it over Jordan Matthews. James could see extensive action in the slot while Jalen Hurd and Trent Taylor are sidelined.
Tampa Bay: Justin Watson, Scotty Miller, and Bobo Wilson made it at wide receiver over UDFA Anthony Johnson. Any of them could have opportunity in a prolific pass offense if Breshad Perriman goes down.
Tennessee: Jeremy McNichols got edged out by Dalyn Dawkins for the last running back spot.
Washington: Josh Doctson is out at wide receiver, as is Cam Sims. Washington chose Steven Sims over them after the UDFA had a strong summer.
