The NFL’s 53-man cut deadline is looming, and a slate of notable players across multiple teams could be on the chopping block. Among the most consequential are Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Kendrick Bourne from New England, headlined by Polk as a second-year option whose path to the active roster is not guaranteed despite draft investments. Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings also stand in the Patriots’ crosshairs, tied to cost and schematic fit as New England reshapes under a new voice.

Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr. faces questions about a changing backfield, while Kansas City’s Skyy Moore and Baltimore’s David Ojabo appear on the radar as teams balance talent with cap and role clarity. The Jets’ Malachi Corley and the Saints’ Isaiah Foskey are listed as potential cuts that could redraw depth charts, with Beanie Bishop Jr. and DeMarvin Leal representing Pittsburgh’s cost/fit calculus on defense.

Outside the Patriots, those moves echo across the league: veteran certainty versus cost and scheme fit, undrafted rookies stepping up, and the ripple effects on Week 1 roles. The piece underscores that even bigger names can be vulnerable when coaches recalibrate rosters to maximize versatility, speed, and special-teams value in August rhythms.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: late-August roster churn can create or erase sleeper windows. Depth charts can flip quickly at WR, LB and edge spots as teams finalize rosters, so stay nimble on waiver wires and be ready to pivot as cuts and claims unfold.

Five Steelers on the roster bubble face a decisive preseason finale against the Panthers as Pittsburgh trims to 53. Skylar Thompson, Cory Trice Jr., Corliss Waitman, Mark Robinson and DeMarvin Leal enter must-show auditions with the team’s depth chart in flux. The game also looms as a barometer for Will Howard’s status and for how far the special-teams unit can carry value into September. Panthers proximity adds urgency as Pittsburgh weighs QB, CB, punting, LB and DL spots in a high-stakes cut week storyline.

Thompson’s fate could hinge on whether Pittsburgh carries four quarterbacks or backs Will Howard via IR, while Trice Jr. contends with a stacked corner room and durability concerns. Waitman must fend off Cameron Johnston’s return as the punter; Robinson’s special-teams prowess is up against a crowded LB corps; Leal must flip the script on a revamped DL to secure a spot. For fantasy minds, the drama translates into late-round stash opportunities, punt-coverage upside, and how roster volatility could reshape Week 1 roles.

Five Steelers on the roster bubble loom large as August cuts near. Skylar Thompson, Mark Robinson, Ben Skowronek, Corliss Waitman, and DeMarvin Leal are the five most likely to land with another team if Pittsburgh moves on. Thompson showed splash in camp, but Will Howard’s health could keep him in danger of being released. Robinson’s veteran ILB presence could be a magnet for teams in need of depth. Skowronek’s value hinges on special teams, while Waitman could hook on as a clear-cut option elsewhere, and Leal’s development may prompt a fresh start in a different scheme.

For fantasy minds, these names signal potential late-round adds or waiver-wire streams depending on where they land. Thompson could become a rookie quarterback prospect in another room, Robinson could become a rotational defender in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, Skowronek might latch on as a punt returner and occasional target, Waitman could upgrade a stagnant kicking game, and Leal could unlock a new role with a system that fits his skill set. The stage is set for several surprise moves as teams hit final rosters.

These cut-downs matter beyond Pittsburgh, as each player’s next destination could shift depth charts across the league and open up fantasy upside in the weeks that follow.

Pittsburgh closed Week 1 of the preseason with a win and a passing-driven vibe, but the real story is the competition brewing behind the top starters. Kaleb Johnson flashed resilience behind a leaky run block, drawing a line between the tape and the box score, as the line’s woes watered down his true impact. Max Hurleman and Roc Taylor both pressed for a late-roster berth, turning exhibitions into auditioning grounds for the last WR spots. On the O-line, Troy Fautanu stood as a reliable anchor on run plays and pass protection, a small but meaningful win for the depth. Yahya Black flashed lateral agility in limited work and earned a bigger leash, while Jack Sawyer and DeMarvin Leal faced the need to raise their confidence and reps. Juan Thornhill assumed a vocal, steadying presence at free safety, and Chuck Clark’s opportunities to prove his value persisted, even as the defense navigated evolving roles. The undercurrent is clear: this roster battle isn’t decided on Week 1, but the path to the final cut line is narrowing by the day.

Fantasy managers should monitor Hurleman and Taylor as potential sleepers who could climb the depth chart if their quarterback chemistry holds. Johnson’s productivity is tethered to the line’s improvement, but his vision and patience suggest upside if Pittsburgh can fix the front. Fautanu’s performance argues for a steadier plug-and-play option on the edge of the starting unit, while Thornhill’s leadership could stabilize a secondary retooling. Leal still needs a breakout moment to shed the tweener label, and Clark’s veteran presence could stabilize the back end as the Steelers experiment with combinations. In short, the week’s performances hint at a few overnight roster movements and several players who could pay off as potential fantasy upside if and when the depth chart locks in.

Bottom line: a strong start for the passing game, but the Steelers still need to firm up the trenches and finish drives. The week’s standouts signal which names could push for real snaps when the bullets fly, while the rest will be concentrated into the practice-field chess match that leads to September.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Pittsburgh Steelers are focusing on addressing significant weaknesses in their defensive line. Last season's performance was disappointing, with standout player Cam Heyward overshadowed by underwhelming contributions from others like Keeanu Benton. The roster, featuring players such as DeMarvin Leal and Daniel Ekuale, lacks playmakers and is overpopulated with hybrid positions that may not effectively fill the gap left by Larry Ogunjobi.

The Steelers' draft strategy is clear: prioritize a robust run-stuffer in the first round, with names like Kenneth Grant and Darius Alexander coming into play. The current group needs help in the interior, where a true nose tackle is required to complement Benton and bolster their run defense. With potential options in later rounds as well, the Steelers aim to create a competitive and effective defensive front.