We’re less than one week from one of the most jarring days of the NFL calendar. Roster cutdown day brings offseason finality and regular season focus, while also being a somber moment for approximately 40% of the league’s player base.

Jobs are lost on this day, plain and simple. Even a few contracts with notable names get torn up or sent to the waiver wire.

Before the madness of next week ensues, let’s go around the AFC North to see if there are any potential surprising players the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers could expose to the rest of the league

Baltimore Ravens: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis

Armour-Davis is a former fourth-round draft choice entering a contract year with Baltimore in 2025, but the Ravens’ revamped secondary leaves slim pickings for a roster spot. The former Alabama Crimson Tide defender sits behind veterans Jaire Alexander, Marlon Humphrey, and Chidobe Awuzie, while 2024 draft picks Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa are holding court as well.

Add in an upstart UDFA in Keyon Martin, and Armour-Davis could be on the outside looking in. — A to Z Sports’ Kyle Crabbs

Cincinnati Bengals: TE Cam Grandy

I wouldn’t blame anyone outside of Cincinnati if they didn’t know who Grandy is, and honestly, I don’t blame Bengals fans if they don’t know much about him. The undrafted free agent from 2024 stuck around last year and earned a meaningful role as an inline blocking tight end after Erick All Jr. re-tore his ACL.

Grandy performed well enough to be quickly re-signed this offseason and appeared on track to make the roster until Noah Fant was signed in July, and Tanner Hudson continued showing out in preseason action. — A to Z Sports’ John Sheeran

Cleveland Browns: WR Diontae Johnson

Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like the former Pro Bowl receiver might turn out to be a bargain signing for the Browns, given his low price tag. Outside of Cleveland, there wasn’t much interest in Johnson after a 2024 season that saw him bounce between three different teams.

He flashed early in camp, making plays and standing out once he worked himself back into shape. But the last few weeks haven’t been as encouraging. He’s had a drop in preseason action and a miscue during joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, other receivers have stepped up. Gage Larvadain and Kaden Davis have impressed this preseason while contributing on special teams, which boosts their chances of making the roster.

The Browns have also secured Isaiah Bond’s spot for the 2025 season, while Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Jamari Thrash are considered roster locks. What once looked like a fresh start for Johnson in Cleveland now feels uncertain since his spot on the 53-man roster is in jeopardy. — A to Z Sports’ Brandon Little

Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Beanie Bishop Jr.

There aren’t a lot of players who fit the criteria here, given the state of the Steelers’ roster. If there is one position that is deep in Pittsburgh, it’s corner, and more specifically, slot corner. Jalen Ramsey is your starter, and Brandin Echols has a long history of playing that position and has been a good addition in the secondary thus far. That puts the onus on Bishop to show up in the Steelers’ preseason finale. He needs a big game to solidify his spot on the roster.

Mike Tomlin spoke on Monday, saying he was pleased with Bishop’s year two development, but that Bishop need not worry about the ‘Jonses’ or those in front of him on the depth chart, rather to focus on himself. — A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson

Dallas Cowboys News

Predicting the NFC East’s biggest surprise cuts: Eagles part ways with ‘absolute freak,’ Cowboys cut former Pro Bowler, and more

Cutdown day is near.

Joe DeLeone

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