DETROIT

WR TIM PATRICK, cut by Denver, will sign with Detroit’s practice squad.  Jeff Legwold and Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com:

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions on the practice squad with the idea that he will work his way onto the active roster, sources told Adam Schefter.

The Broncos released Patrick on Tuesday as they trimmed down to 53 players.

“On behalf of everyone in the organization, I just can’t say enough great things about the type of player, the person, Tim Patrick while he has been a Bronco for the past seven seasons,” Broncos general manager George Paton said Tuesday.

Patrick missed the past two seasons due to injury but returned to participate fully in training camp this year and had five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown in the preseason.

He missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL suffered in training camp that summer and then missed 2023 with a torn Achilles tendon, also suffered early in camp. Patrick had — after the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers waived him in 2017 — scrapped his way from the Broncos’ practice squad to a prominent role in the offense over the four seasons that followed.

Patrick, 30, has 143 receptions for 2,009 yards and 12 touchdowns over 55 games in his career.

The Lions were interested in Patrick after releasing veterans Donovan Peoples-Jones and Daurice Fountain, who were both big-bodied wide receivers who weren’t able to fully separate themselves during training camp and the preseason. Patrick provides depth and could be a valuable role player in the offense.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said it “would be a luxury to have” a bigger wide receiver on the roster to add a versatile option.

“It helps, and I think a lot of it is — it comes into those one-on-ones to where, ‘OK, you don’t always have to be in these cut-splits. Man, you can just get out there and it’s one-on-one and if you like the matchup, who cares if he’s pressed? Our guy is going to beat your guy,'” Campbell said Monday. “And [Lions QB Jared] Goff is put into position to where he can play rebound, he can play big boys in the box and down on the block and is going to make a play for you.”

– – –

It may be roster manuvering, but Colton Pouncy of The Athletic is surprised that QB NATE SUDFELD showed up on the waiver wire:

The way the Lions talked about Sudfeld led many to believe they could go with three QBs on the roster. Campbell said Sudfeld had the “upper hand” to be Detroit’s QB2 as recently as last week. He was viewed as their experienced option and was more consistent than Hooker in practice. And though Sudfeld certainly didn’t pass the eye test in the preseason, comments like those usually carry weight with this staff. In the end, though, Sudfeld was left off the initial roster. We’ll see if he’s brought back in some capacity. Worth noting: If veteran DT Kyle Peko isn’t back on the roster in the coming days, he’d be a stronger candidate for surprise cut than Sudfeld.

GREEN BAY

The Packers will move forward without the services of RB AJ DILLON in 2024.  And PK ANDERS CARLSON was those put on waivers.  Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Packers announced their moves to get down to a 53-man roster on Tuesday afternoon and one of them means a key player is out for the 2024 season.

Running back AJ Dillon was placed on injured reserve and was not designated to return, meaning he is done for the year.

Dillon recently suffered another stinger and last week said he was awaiting test results. Head coach Matt LaFleur had said “absolutely there’s a concern” with Dillon’s injury, noting that Green Bay would proceed cautiously.

Dillon, 26, was expected to be the primary backup to running back Josh Jacobs. Dillon rushed for 613 yards with a pair of touchdowns last year. He also caught 22 passes for 223 yards in 2023.

In all, Green Bay waived or released quarterback Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt; receivers Grant DuBose, Samori Toure, Julian Hicks, Dimitri Stanley, and Jalen Wayne; offensive linemen Royce Newman, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, Lecitus Smith, and Donovan Jennings; defensive ends Deslin Alexandre, Keshawn Banks, Zach Morton, and Brevin Allen; defensive tackles James Ester, Spencer Waege, and Keonte Schad; linebackers Kristian Welch, Christian Young, and Chris Russell; cornerbacks Robert Rochell, Kalen King, and Gemon Green; safeties Anthony Johnson Jr., and Benny Sapp III; kickers Anders Carlson and Alex Hale.

So it’s PK GREG JOSEPH – at the moment.  John Breech of CBSSports.com:

After just one year with Anders Carlson, it looks like the Green Bay Packers have decided to move on.

According to NFL.com, the team has decided to cut ties with Carlson, which means he won’t be returning for a second season in Green Bay. The Packers used a sixth-round pick on Carlson in 2023, and he was essentially given the kicking job after that.

As a rookie last year, Carlson actually got off to a hot start by hitting his first seven field goals of the season, but he fell apart after that, hitting just 76.9% of his field goals after Week 6. He also missed a huge 41-yard field goal during the fourth quarter of Green Bay’s 24-21 divisional round playoff loss to the 49ers.

The former Auburn kicker also hit just 87.2% of his extra points last season, which ranked dead last in the league for any kicker who attempted at least 25.

With Carlson struggling, the Packer decided to bring in veteran Greg Joseph to challenge him during training camp. According to Sports Illustrated, Carlson was actually more accurate on field goal attempts during training camp as he hit 82.2% of his kicks compared to 78.1% for Joseph, so it is somewhat surprising they decided to release Carlson after just one season. 

MINNESOTA

Alec Lewis of The Athletic doesn’t understand the waiving of RB KENE NWANGWU:

Nwangwu seemed like a shoo-in for the Vikings roster for a couple of reasons. First, he is an accomplished kick returner, having tallied three kick return touchdowns in his career. Second, he was the team’s third-string running back throughout most of camp and looked as spry and complete a back as at any point in his career. Cutting him leaves two clear holes, and one big one, considering the altered kickoff rules. Maybe the Vikings ask Brandon Powell, who has returned punts and might be more durable, to do the returning. Maybe they sign another running back to play behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. Regardless, now both spots need filling.

DALLAS

The Cowboys signed RB DALVIN COOK, once a Pro Bowler, to their practice squad per Todd Archer of ESPN.com.

ARIZONA

Doug Haller of The Athletic on the dismissal of QB DESMOND RIDDER:

The surprise depends on the starting point. Had someone told you that Arizona would cut Ridder when it acquired him in a March trade from Atlanta for receiver Rondale Moore, yes, you would have been surprised. But had someone told you this after watching Ridder perform during the preseason? Not at all. He was not good. Here’s the thing: Arizona needed a QB to back up Kyler Murray. Despite a below-average 2023 season with the Falcons, Ridder was worth a shot. He had starting experience. He had won games. The trade made sense. All Ridder had to do was hold off second-year backup Clayton Tune. He couldn’t do it. (Not dismissing Tune, he deserves credit.) The question now becomes whether the Cardinals stick with Tune at No. 2 or if they bring in another QB to challenge him.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Whether or not he wanted a trade – the Rams say he did, he said he didn’t – LB ERNEST JONES is on his way to Nashville.  Turron Davenport of ESPN.com:

The Titans have acquired Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, who were unable to reach a contract extension this offseason with the star linebacker, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Rams received a 2026 fifth-round draft pick for a 2026 sixth-round pick and Jones, who was granted permission to seek a trade earlier this week.

Jones fills a void at inside linebacker for the Titans, who lost third-year linebacker Chance Campbell for the season Sunday to a torn ACL. Campbell had a good camp and pushed Jack Gibbens for a starting spot next to free agent acquisition Kenneth Murray Jr.

The Titans linebacker group was hit hard by injury during training camp. Fourth-round pick Cedric Gray missed two weeks of camp with a nerve-related shoulder injury, and veterans Otis Reese IV and Luke Gifford are both in the concussion protocol.

Jones, 24, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and will make $3.116 million in 2024.

Jones led the Rams with 145 tackles and also had 4.5 sacks — both career highs — last season, his third with Los Angeles. A third-round draft selection in 2021, Jones has 320 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three interceptions in his career.

Although the trade still hadn’t been announced late Tuesday, Rams coach Sean McVay acknowledged during a teleconference that Jones is on his way out of Los Angeles.

“Football decision, what we felt was best for the football team,” McVay said. “Amazing guy. He was great for us for a few years, but we felt that this was best for our football team.”

McVay said the Rams don’t plan to add a veteran inside linebacker, instead going into the season with the collection of unsung veterans and rookies already behind Jones on the depth chart.

By trading Jones, the Rams will need to find a new defensive playcaller. When asked Monday about who would fill that role if they did trade Jones, McVay said he wouldn’t be able to answer until the situation was settled.

Hmmm.  Why was an upgrade of one low round in the draft all the Rams could get for Jones?

– – –

The Rams with an interesting allocation of resources to their special teams.  Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com:

Rams running back Kyren Williams will return punts this season, coach Sean McVay said Tuesday.

“It’s another opportunity for him to get touches and impact the game,” McVay said. “And you feel comfortable with that because of the confidence in Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers being able to spell him if need be.”

Last season, Williams averaged nearly 22 touches per game and ranked third in the NFL in rushing despite playing in only 12 games. Williams missed four games because of a sprained ankle in the middle of the season and a fifth for rest after the Rams had clinched a playoff spot.

The Rams drafted Corum in the third round in April’s draft in an effort to take some of the load off Williams. The night of the draft, McVay said he thought there were “a lot of similarities” between the two running backs.

Williams has played in 22 games in his career, missing time his rookie season because of a high ankle sprain. He also broke his hand in the Rams’ playoff loss to the Detroit Lions, requiring offseason surgery, and missed most of the Rams’ offseason program after needing to clean up something from a previous foot surgery.

Last season, Williams ran for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns on 228 carries. He also had 32 catches and three touchdowns.

SAN FRANCISCO

RB ELIJAH MITCHELL is done for the year, and maybe with the 49ers.  Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com:

After returning to practice last week following a hamstring injury, San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell’s comeback hit a significant roadblock on Tuesday.

In a bit of a surprise move, the Niners placed Mitchell on injured reserve on Tuesday afternoon and did not use one of their designations for Mitchell to return, which rules him out for the season.

A source told ESPN on Tuesday evening that Mitchell suffered another, more severe hamstring injury this week. That injury is believed to have happened during the team’s practice on Monday when Mitchell was in uniform and participated in individual drills but did not take part in any of the team periods.

Mitchell’s injury is the latest in a series of ailments that have prevented him from gaining traction as a top option in San Francisco’s run game and could mean he has played in his final game for the team.

This is the fourth and final year on Mitchell’s rookie contract, making him an unrestricted free agent after the season. In his three previous campaigns, Mitchell has appeared in just 27 games with 12 starts because of various injuries, including rib, finger, knee and shoulder issues.

– – –

Erik Edholm of NFL.com on the T TRENT WILLIAMS holdout.

Time to take Trent Williams leveraging 49ers more seriously:

Since the spring there has been Brandon Aiyuk trade chatter, breathless updates of the stalemate between the wide receiver and the 49ers. One minute they’re trading him; the next he’s negotiating a new deal to stay. The next day, everything changes — or nothing happens.

But why haven’t we paid one-quarter of the attention to what’s going on with Williams and the team? One reason might be that Williams and his camp have kept things more under wraps. But it still feels criminal that his holdout hasn’t been treated with the same level of urgency or attention.

If Williams is serious about holding out into the regular season — and I have no reason to believe otherwise — then the 49ers have a serious issue on their hands. Yes, they’ve played without Williams before, but the Niners are 3-6 with him out of the lineup the past four years.

The recent extensions signed by Penei Sewell, Christian Darrisaw and Tristan Wirfs have reset the OT market, with all three earning at least $26 million per year on average. Williams, who has been first-team All-Pro the past three seasons, is sitting at $23 million per year.

You can also see the 49ers’ side of it. Williams is 36, has missed an average of more than two games per season with the team and has three years remaining on his current deal. But this is also a team bent on getting back to the Super Bowl and winning it, so perhaps the 49ers need to make an exception here.

It wouldn’t stun me to see Williams pull a Chris Jones and sit out Week 1 against the Jets. Jones even flexed by sitting in a luxury box a year ago, looking down on the Chiefs’ home loss to the Lions. A few days later he had his contract adjusted and played the next week.

Keep an eye on this one.

DENVER

He was a distant third in the preseason QB scramble, but the Broncos believe the future is still bright for QB ZACH WILSON.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Rookie Bo Nix is the starter with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson behind him on the depth chart heading into the start of the regular season. Wilson making the cut might not have been a popular projection coming off his dismal play for the Jets over the last three seasons, but Wilson had a good preseason with his new team and General Manager George Paton said he thinks the second overall pick of the 2021 draft still has the upside that people saw in him before his Jets tenure.

“No doubt. He has starter tools all over,” Paton said, via Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Gazette. “It’s been pretty cool just watching him. Really, no expectations. He can just go out there and play football. He has all the starting traits in the world. He’s still working through some things. You could see the really good last week in the game. He can throw it as good as anyone in the league. . . . I do think he’ll be a starter in this league.”

Stidham was Nix’s top competition for the starting job this summer, but Paton’s review of Wilson’s skills could mean the team would have a decision to make if their first-round pick is out of the lineup for any extended portion of the 2024 season.

As pointed out on the CBS broadcast Sunday, Wilson is actually a contemporary of rookie QB BO NIX.  As of today, their ages:

Yrs-Days                High School Class

Jarrett Stidham    28-20                             2015

Zach Wilson         25-25                             2018

Bo Nix                  24-185                           2019

KANSAS CITY

WR KADARIUS TONEY is a Chief no more.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com on who stayed while Toney left:

The move was expected as Toney played deep down the depth chart during training camp. The club’s recent addition of veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster all but cinched Toney’s fate.

The Chiefs attempted to trade Toney to no avail, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero added.

The former first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2021 will likely have a market, given how tightly teams cling to their pre-draft evaluations. Surely, there is another coaching staff or front office who believes it can unlock Toney’s talent despite Andy Reid not being able to find the key.

Injury has played a role in Toney’s rocky career. A preseason hamstring injury put him behind as a rookie, and he never caught up after, playing in just 10 games that year. His first season represented a statistical high when he caught 39 passes for 420 yards. He hasn’t reached 200 yards in any regular season since.

Big Blue traded him to Kansas City midway through 2022. Toney helped K.C. win a Super Bowl that season with a dynamic punt return and a TD grab in the Lombardi-lifting affair.

K.C. expected big things from the receiver in 2023, but consistency issues and unforced errors plagued Toney. He sat out the final three games and the entire postseason run.

After the Chiefs bulked up their receiver room this offseason, including the additions of Marquise Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy, Toney’s place on the roster seemed tenuous at best. Tuesday marked the end of the line in Kansas City.

Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com contemplates what other teams might want him.

The Kadarius Toney experiment has reached its conclusion in Kansas City, with the Chiefs on Tuesday waiving the wide receiver as part of final roster cuts, as ESPN reported. The move isn’t necessarily a surprise, considering Toney’s history of availability concerns in a suddenly crowded receiver room, but it’s still notable, considering the Chiefs traded two draft picks for the former first-rounder back in 2022.

Still just 25, Toney played a pivotal role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory during his first season with the team, setting a title-game record with a 65-yard punt return to help defeat the Philadelphia Eagles. He made minimal contributions out wide, however, totaling just 340 receiving yards after coming over from the New York Giants, and fell behind newcomers like Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown this offseason.

Where could the former Florida standout land next? Here are some potential suitors:

Indianapolis Colts

Colts coach Shane Steichen saw Toney’s electricity firsthand while working for the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, and Indianapolis could use some receiver depth with rookie Adonai Mitchell slated for a starting gig. Fellow starter Josh Downs is also banged up, still recovering from a summer ankle injury.

Los Angeles Chargers

New coach Jim Harbaugh figures to lean heavily on the ground game, and Toney has the speed to be incorporated as a ball-carrier. More than that, the Chargers could use some more experience out wide, with rookie Ladd McConkey and second-year prospect Quentin Johnston among L.A.’s top pass outlets.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steel City has been all about reclamation projects this offseason, welcoming both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to headline an offense now run by Arthur Smith. Toney has the athleticism to serve a potential gadget role opposite George Pickens, and Pittsburgh has shown plenty of interest in adding help.

San Francisco 49ers

This one’s kind of conditional: If Brandon Aiyuk doesn’t return due to an unlikely trade elsewhere, they could very well be in the market for more speed out wide, even though rookie Ricky Pearsall is set to serve a sizable role alongside Deebo Samuel. Imagine Kyle Shanahan drawing up reverse handoffs for him.

Washington Commanders

After months of rumored and reported interest in Brandon Aiyuk, the Commanders subtracted rather than added out wide in recent days, dealing former No. 2 Jahan Dotson to the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Toney could enable them to recoup some depth at the position for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

– – –

Wasting no time, TE TRAVIS KELCE has bought an interest in a horse.

Travis Kelce has bought into the ownership group of a new racehorse.

Of course, there’s a perfect Taylor Swift reference to go with it.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end bought a significant ownership stake in Swift Delivery, a 3-year-old gelding, Team Valor International founder Barry Irwin announced on Tuesday.

Though the horse wasn’t named after Swift, Irwin said it was “a total coincidence,” the name fits perfectly.

Kelce’s brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, had plenty of fun with the news himself, too.

But does it have an enlarged heart…. Can this horse do it with a broken heart! @tkelcehttps://t.co/rLO442aFp4

— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) August 27, 2024

“It’s very exciting,” Irwin told The Associated Press. “I met him at the Kentucky Derby and got to spend some time with him and stuff, and we talked about horses and everything. When this horse came to light and it was owned by one of my partners already, with the name I figured this has got to be a no-brainer.”

CINCINNATI

Apparently WR Ja’MARR CHASE is ready to fulfill his current contract.  Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is ready to go for the regular season.

Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor was asked today if he’s confident that Chase will play Week One against the Patriots, and Taylor answered with one word: “Yes.”

Chase skipped training camp practices because he’s unhappy with the Bengals not giving him the contract extension he’s seeking, but he returned to practice this week. Taylor said that Chase has looked great on the practice field.

In his first three NFL seasons, Chase has been one of the NFL’s best wide receivers, totaling 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns. At age 24 he has a very bright future ahead of him, and at some point he’s a near-lock to sign a lucrative long-term contract extension to remain in Cincinnati. That apparently won’t happen this year, but Chase will now get to work on having a big season that leads to an even bigger contract in 2025.

CLEVELAND

In the first cut to 53, the Browns roster shows four quarterbacks.  Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com:

The Cleveland Browns held a competition for the No. 3 quarterback spot in training camp but ultimately kept all four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster announced Tuesday.

Cleveland, though, has held trade talks regarding its backups and the situation remains fluid, a source told ESPN.

Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson were both in the running to be a backup, alongside Jameis Winston, behind starter Deshaun Watson.

When asked what went into the decision to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “We have four good quarterbacks.” Stefanski did not commit to having all four quarterbacks when the Browns open the season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8, saying, “We’ll see.”

Stefanski also did not commit to Winston, who was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, being the primary backup to Watson.

“We’re not setting the depth chart with any position,” Stefanski said.

The Browns signed Huntley, a former Baltimore Ravens backup, to a one-year deal in the offseason. He threw three touchdown passes in the team’s preseason finale. Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick who started three games as a rookie before a season-ending hip injury, also threw a touchdown pass in the finale.

With the Browns releasing running back D’Onta Foreman and keeping just two running backs on the initial 53-man roster, more roster shuffling is expected in the coming days. Foreman, a vested veteran who does not have to clear waivers before re-signing, is expected to return to the Browns.

“It’s the first 53. It’s not the final 53,” Stefanski said. “So, I’m sure there are moves to be made down the line here. … Sometimes, it does come down to a numbers game.”

JACKSONVILLE

Jeff Howe of The Athletic on the waiving of S TERRELL EDMUNDS:

The Jaguars have done a nice job over the past couple of seasons fortifying their secondary, which led to the 27-year-old Edmunds being expendable during final cuts, though it would make sense for the sides to reunite if he’s unclaimed. Edmunds, a Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick in 2018, has six career interceptions and tallied a couple of forced fumbles this preseason, so he could be an attractive waiver wire possibility for teams looking for playmaking upside in a reserve role.

BUFFALO

Cut by the Dolphins and once a Jet, QB MIKE WHITE now only needs the Patriots to say he had a contract with all four AFC East teams, as he signs with Buffalo’s practice squad.  Despite his current status on the practice squad, he actually might be the backup to QB JOSH ALLEN for the opener with Arizona.

For the Bills, he’ll slot in as the team’s third quarterback as the roster currently stands.

A series of injuries led to the team to bring in Ben DiNucci and Anthony Brown for the preseason, but both were cut this week. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who is dealing with a left knee injury, joins Josh Allen as the only quarterbacks on the active roster.

Quarterback Shane Buechele, who spent last year on the Bills practice squad, is on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury in the first preseason game. The team traditionally has two quarterbacks on the active roster and one on the practice squad.

MIAMI

The Dolphins will get nothing from their investment in WR ODELL BECKHAM, Jr. in the early weeks of the season – if ever. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

On Monday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said it was to be determined if receiver Odell Beckham Jr. would start the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Now NFL Media reports Beckham will, in fact, head to reserve/PUP and miss at least the first four weeks of 2024.

Beckham has been dealing with an undisclosed injury. He signed with the Dolphins in May, but has not been able to practice.

On Monday, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa noted that he and Beckham need to build some chemistry before the receiver gets on the field.

In 14 games last year, Beckham caught 35 passes for 565 yards with three touchdowns for Baltimore.

THIS AND THAT

A SURVIVOR SQUAD

Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com has been doing this exercise for five years, but we just saw it.  One representative from each of the 32 teams – and one representative only (3 coaches, 29 players) for a juggernaut:

Around this time in each of the last four offseasons, we have used this space to unveil our annual NFL Survivor Squad. If this is your first time hearing about this, you might be asking what a Survivor Squad is, so let me tell you: It’s our attempt to build the best possible roster using one representative and only one representative from each of the 32 NFL teams.

To make things more challenging on myself and avoid reprinting the same article year after year, I have once again unilaterally declared every player and coach who made any of the previous rosters off limits for this year’s exercise. That list includes a whole lot of people: 128 of them, to be exact. Because we’ve been doing this for so long, some of the players and coaches are even out of the league by now: Bill Belichick, Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt and more. Each of the ineligible players and coaches is listed in their corresponding section below.

In an exercise like this, it’s important to know exactly what type of team you want to build. So as we have in previous years, we have worked from the baseline that in order compete in the modern NFL, one must recognize that the passing game is king and build out the roster accordingly.

Teams tend to go as far as their quarterbacks take them, and the best teams put their quarterback in the best position possible to succeed while making things as difficult as possible for the opposing team’s signal-caller. So, in all toss-up decisions, the tie was broken in favor of whichever player or coach would help our offense throw the ball efficiently and explosively or help our defense stop the opposition from doing the same.

Once again, we also wanted our team to be as flexible as possible — especially on defense, where the ability to disguise what you’re doing and have players fill multiple roles depending on the situation is paramount. So, pass-catching running backs, receivers who can play on the perimeter or in the slot, defensive linemen who can flex to the edge or inside, linebackers who excel against the run and the pass, and safeties who can drop down into the box, play up high, or slide to the slot were all things that we looked for in building this year’s team.

All that said, a few quick notes before you get to the reveal of the full roster:

The players (and coaches) selected at each position are not necessarily the best players (and coaches) at that particular position, but those who made the most sense on a roster where you can only (and must) take one representative from each team.

Like each of the last two years, there weren’t necessarily any “must-have” players on this year’s team. The closest to that was probably Sauce Gardner who was one of the very few players who never changed during any of the eight iterations of this roster that we cycled through before landing on the one you see below.

Without further ado, let’s walk through our squad. 

Coaching staff

Head coach: Jim Harbaugh (Chargers)

This spot was actually changed pretty late in the game. For a while, we had Mike Tomlin here. But then I was going to write this section and remembered that the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Harbaugh obviously hasn’t won one in that span, either, but that’s because he was busy resurrecting yet another team during his time at Michigan, which culminated last year in a national championship. Like Tomlin, he simply gets the absolute best out of every team he coaches, and he’ll do the same for our squad.

2023 (ineligible): Sean McVay (Rams)

2022 (ineligible): John Harbaugh (Ravens)

2021 (ineligible): Andy Reid (Chiefs)

2020 (ineligible): Bill Belichick (Patriots)

Offensive coordinator: Bobby Slowik (Texans)

Slowik was a breakout play-calling star last season, and he came back to Houston for another go-round with C.J. Stroud and Co. He was previously the passing-game coordinator under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, and his ability to blend creative pass designs with his run scheme and marry things together to make everything look the same right up until it isn’t will serve us well. It doesn’t hurt that the system he runs consistently makes things easy for quarterbacks. We always like that.

2022 (ineligible): Ben Johnson (Lions)

2022 (ineligible): Shane Steichen (Eagles)

2021 (ineligible): Brian Daboll (Bills)

2020 (ineligible): Greg Roman (Ravens)

Defensive coordinator: Jim Schwartz (Browns)

Schwartz took over what was already a very good defense, and last season turned it into a monster. Give him enough talent, especially up front, and he is going to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. We have plenty of talent here, so Schwartz will do exactly that for the Survivor Squad.

2023 (ineligible): Dan Quinn (Cowboys)

2022 (ineligible): Don Martindale (Giants)

2021 (ineligible): Patrick Graham (Giants)

2020 (ineligible): Robert Saleh (49ers)

Quarterback: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)

Yes, we’re going with the reigning MVP under center. Playing under a different offensive coordinator (Todd Monken) for the first time, Jackson last season hit career highs in both completion rate and yards per attempt. His interception rate hit a career low of 1.5%. He topped 750 rushing yards for the seventh consecutive season, and led the NFL in yards per rush for the third time. He is as dynamic a playmaker as there is in the NFL outside of Mahomes, and his versatility brings an extra elite dimension to our offense.

2023 (ineligible): Justin Herbert (Chargers)

2022 (ineligible): Josh Allen (Bills)

2021 (ineligible): Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

2020 (ineligible): Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)

Running back: Bijan Robinson (Falcons)

Unlike former Falcons coach Arthur Smith, we’re not going to be afraid to put Bijan on the field and give him the ball. Whether in the run game or as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Just because it wasn’t the best use of resources to take a running back in the top 10 of the NFL Draft, doesn’t mean Robinson isn’t an awesome player. We saw only glimpses of what he can do as a rookie, and we’ll see a whole lot more this year.

2023 (ineligible): Nick Chubb (Browns)

2022 (ineligible): Jonathan Taylor (Colts)

2021 (ineligible): Dalvin Cook (Vikings)

2020 (ineligible): Christian McCaffrey (Panthers)

Perimeter receivers: Puka Nacua (Rams) and Tee Higgins (Bengals)

Nacua’s surprising spectacular rookie campaign (105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns), along with his versatility and willingness to act as a blocker, earned him a spot on this roster. He has good size at 6-2, 212 pounds, and he can both on the outside or in the slot. His slippery route-running skills will create easy answers for Jackson. Higgins, meanwhile, is more of a traditional, ball-winning “X” receiver. He struggled with injuries last year but in each of his previous three NFL seasons had eclipsed 65 catches, 900 yards and six touchdowns (with at least 74, 1,000 and six in both 2021 and 2022). These two make for a well-fitting duo.

2023 (ineligible): Stefon Diggs (Bills) and Tyreek Hill (Dolphins)

2022 (ineligible): Davante Adams (Raiders) and Justin Jefferson (Vikings)

2021 (ineligible): DK Metcalf (Seahawks) and A.J. Brown (Titans)

2020 (ineligible): DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals) and Mike Evans (Buccaneers)

(DB question – why would you choose Higgins over Ja’Marr Chase who seems available? Answer – Chase was an “offensive flex” choice in a previous year)

Slot receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions)

The Sun God is one of the premier slot men in the NFL. He’s an elite short-area target with the speed and explosiveness to also threaten defenses down the field. Lamar never really had a quick-game option in his passing game until Zay Flowers came along last year, and he’d benefit from the kinds of openings that St. Brown can create.

2023 (ineligible): Christian Kirk (Jaguars)

2022 (ineligible): Cooper Kupp (Rams)

2021 (ineligible): CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)

2020 (ineligible): Michael Thomas (Saints)

Tight ends: Trey McBride (Cardinals) and Dalton Kincaid (Bills)

Yeah, we leaned heavily into pass-catching prowess with our tight ends. Both McBride and Kincaid can create matchup advantages when lining up as an in-line tight end or flexing out to the slot. They can essentially work as monster-sized slot men, giving us an opportunity to exploit weaknesses all over the field and especially against linebackers and safeties. And if you put a corner on one of them, we can just have them post up and go over the top. It will not be fun going against this duo.

2023 (ineligible): Mark Andrews (Ravens) and Pat Freiermuth (Steelers)

2022 (ineligible): Travis Kelce (Chiefs) and Cole Kmet (Bears)

2021 (ineligible): George Kittle (49ers) and T.J. Hockenson (Lions)

2020 (ineligible): Zach Ertz (Eagles) and Darren Waller (Raiders)

Offensive flex: De’Von Achane (Dolphins)

Our skill-position core is really good and really fun, but the one thing it lacks is an electric burner type who can create a big play out of thin air. Not anymore. Achane is the NFL’s premier home-run threat: He ran for 800 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games, while only getting 103 total carries! And he’s an elite receiving threat, too! Do you know how terrified defenses would be of Lamar and Achane in the same backfield? I don’t think they’d be interested in finding out.

2023 (ineligible): Chris Olave (Saints)

2022 (ineligible): Deebo Samuel (49ers)

2021 (ineligible): Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals)

2020 (ineligible): Kenny Golladay (Lions)

Offensive line

Left tackle: Trent Williams (49ers)

It’s about time that we figured out a way to get the NFL’s best overall offensive lineman onto this team. There are just so many good options to choose from on the Niners that it took us a while to get here. Williams is a stone wall of a pass-protector and he absolutely mauls people in the run game. We can put him on an island and not have to worry about that side of the line at all.

2023 (ineligible): Christian Darrisaw (Vikings)

2022 (ineligible): Rashawn Slater (Chargers)

2021 (ineligible): Laremy Tunsil (Texans)

2020 (ineligible): Jake Matthews (Falcons)

Left guard: Tyler Smith (Cowboys)

Smith was forced to play left tackle as a rookie after an injury to former teammate Tyron Smith, and he fared quite well. But when Dallas pushed him back inside to guard last year, he had a true breakout as arguably the best player at his position in 2023. He is an ass-kicking run blocker who is quick enough to handle any kind of pressure that interior linemen throw his way. It’s hard to create a better left side of the line than the one we have here.

2023 (ineligible): Teven Jenkins (Bears)

2022 (ineligible): Joel Bitonio (Browns)

2021 (ineligible): Ali Marpet (Buccaneers)

2020 (ineligible): Quenton Nelson (Colts)

Center: Lloyd Cushenberry (Titans)

Cushenberry got himself a nice payday from the Titans this offseason after putting together the best season of his career a year ago. He allowed only 14 pressures on 647 pass-blocking snaps, and he had his best year as a run blocker, too.

2023 (ineligible): David Andrews (Patriots)

2022 (ineligible): Frank Ragnow (Lions)

2021 (ineligible): Corey Linsley (Chargers)

2020 (ineligible): Brandon Linder (Jaguars)

Right guard: Quinn Meinerz (Broncos)

Our second guard spot is going to Cushenberry’s former teammate. He was Pro Football Focus’ third-highest graded guard last season on the strength of his elite run blocking. He didn’t get the awards recognition from Pro Bowl or All-Pro voters, but he had a really good year and is about to head into his physical prime.

2023 (ineligible): Chris Lindstrom (Falcons)

2022 (ineligible): Alex Cappa (Bengals)

2021 (ineligible): Brandon Scherff (Commanders)

2020 (ineligible): Zack Martin (Cowboys)

Right tackle: Braden Smith (Colts)

Smith has steadily been a borderline top-10 right tackle for the entirety of his pro career. He was limited to just 10 games last year but he played really well in them. When the Colts ran the ball behind him, they average an astronomical 1.73 yards before contact per carry, according to TruMedia. The league average for runs off right tackle was just 1.27 per carry.

2023 (ineligible): Taylor Moton (Panthers)

2022 (ineligible): Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers)

2021 (ineligible): Lane Johnson (Eagles)

2020 (ineligible): Jack Conklin (Browns)

Defensive front

Edge rushers: Montez Sweat (Bears) and Josh Hines-Allen (Jaguars)

Here, we have a pair of edge rushers heading into their prime years who each got deservingly paid by their teams. Hines-Allen (formerly Josh Allen) checked in fifth in the NFL in pressure rate last season, generating a sack, hit or hurry on 18.3% of his pass-rush snaps, via TruMedia. That’s out of 187 players who rushed the passer at least 200 times. Sweat checked in a bit lower at 12.9%, but he made up for it by posting one of the best pressure-to-sack ratios in the league. Settling into Matt Eberflus’ defense in Year 2 with Chicago, he can take his game up another notch this year. These two will make life extremely difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

2023 (ineligible): Maxx Crosby (Raiders) and Haason Reddick (Eagles)

2022 (ineligible): T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Matt Judon (Patriots)

2021 (ineligible): Brian Burns (Panthers) and Myles Garrett (Browns)

2020 (ineligible): Von Miller (Broncos) and Khalil Mack (Bears)

Interior defensive linemen: Christian Wilkins (Raiders) and Jalen Carter (Eagles)

Wilkins deservingly scored a huge payday this offseason after delivering the best season of his career a year ago. He had 11.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, and 27 QB hits through his first four NFL seasons, then racked up nine sacks, 10 TFLs and 23 hits in 2023. His 58 pressures with ninth among interior defensive linemen and now he gets to play next to Maxx Crosby. Carter got off to a blazing-hot start to his debut season before fading a bit down the stretch, but we know he has incredible talent. After finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, there is space for him to blow up this year.

2023 (ineligible): Chris Jones (Chiefs) and Dexter Lawrence (Giants)

2022 (ineligible): Jonathan Allen (Commanders) and Jeffery Simmons (Titans)

2021 (ineligible): DeForest Buckner (Colts) and Stephon Tuitt (Steelers)

2020 (ineligible): Aaron Donald (Rams) and J.J. Watt (Texans)

Defensive front flex: Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings)

Reunited with Brian Flores (his former head coach in Miami and the person who unlocked Van Ginkel as a flexible defender), Van Ginkel should continue doing about a 1,000 different things on the field and just wreaking all kinds of havoc as a pass rusher, run defender and even coverage guy. He’s the perfect fit for this kind of role on our team.

2023 (ineligible): Quinnen Williams (Jets)

2022 (ineligible): Micah Parsons (Cowboys)

2021 (ineligible): Nicholas Morrow (Raiders)

2020 (ineligible): Kenny Clark (Packers)

Back seven

Linebackers: Bobby Okereke (Giants) and Frankie Luvu (Commanders)

Okereke had a really good season in New York after getting paid last offseason. Luvu has had a couple really good seasons in a row but for some reason didn’t get paid that much this offseason, even though he landed with essentially the perfect coach to weaponize his skill set in new Washington coach Dan Quinn. These two can work interchangeably at times and we also get a good deal of pass rush out of them.

2023 (ineligible): Fred Warner (49ers) and Lavonte David (Buccaneers)

2022 (ineligible): De’Vondre Campbell (Packers) and Foye Oluokun (Jaguars)

2021 (ineligible): Roquan Smith (Bears) and Demario Davis (Saints)

2020 (ineligible): Bobby Wagner (Seahawks) and Eric Kendricks (Vikings)

Outside corners: Sauce Gardner (Jets) and Jamel Dean (Buccaneers)

We finally found a way to get the NFL’s best cornerback onto the team. Sending receivers over to Sauce is not quite putting them on Revis Island, but they’re definitely not going to come away with many catches over there. As we wrote in our ranking of the league’s top cornerbacks, Dean had a bit of a down year in 2023, but he was so consistently good in his first four seasons that we’re willing to overlook that and place him on this list anyway. Expect to see him locking down one side of the field for Tampa’s defense again in 2024.

2023 (ineligible): Patrick Surtain II (Broncos) and Jaire Alexander (Packers)

2022 (ineligible): A.J. Terrell (Falcons) and Marshon Lattimore (Saints)

2021 (ineligible): Xavien Howard (Dolphins) and Kyle Fuller (Broncos)

2020 (ineligible): Tre’Davious White (Bills) and James Bradberry (Giants)

Also considered: Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jaylon Johnson, Jaycee Horn, Darious Williams, Charvarius Ward, Denzel Ward, Joey Porter Jr., Derek Stingley Jr., Tyson Campbell

Slot corner: Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks)

Witherspoon had a strong rookie season and he is going to be unleashed in Year 2 while playing for Mike Macdonald. The former Ravens defensive coordinator found a way to get the best out of a similar player in Kyle Hamilton, and Witherspoon’s versatility should be unlocked in this new defense. He’s going to be a fixture among the league’s top corners.

2023 (ineligible): Mike Hilton (Bengals)

2022 (ineligible): Byron Murphy Jr. (Cardinals)

2021 (ineligible): Marlon Humphrey (Ravens)

2020 (ineligible): Chris Harris Jr. (Chargers)

Deep safety: Xavier McKinney (Packers)

McKinney got himself paid this offseason and will likely move back into the center field role that suits him best in new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system. He can drop down and play inside the box, but he’s better when allowed to see the entire field and fly around trying to make plays on the ball. And he’ll do that for our squad.

2023 (ineligible): Kevin Byard (Titans)

2022 (ineligible): Justin Simmons (Broncos)

2021 (ineligible): Marcus Maye (Jets)

2020 (ineligible): Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers)

Box safety: Tyrann Mathieu (Saints)

Mathieu has been so good for so long that it’s surprising we’ve never put him on the team before. One of the most versatile players in the league, we could have slid him into pretty much any role in the secondary.

2023 (ineligible): Kamren Curl (Commanders)

2022 (ineligible): Jeremy Chinn (Panthers)

2021 (ineligible): Budda Baker (Cardinals)

2020 (ineligible): Jamal Adams (Jets)

Back seven flex: Trent McDuffie (Chiefs)

Speaking of versatility … McDuffie thrived last season with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo moving him around from the perimeter to the slot. He can lock down inside or out, he comes up and plays the run, he can blitz off the edge and he will just generally make life extremely difficult for opposing offenses. With Schwartz calling our defense, he can find a ton of ways to make plays.

2023 (ineligible): Tariq Woolen (Seahawks)

2022 (ineligible): Jevon Holland (Dolphins)

2021 (ineligible): Jalen Ramsey (Rams)

2020 (ineligible): Kyle Van Noy (Dolphins)

Specialists

Returner: Marcus Jones (Patriots)

Jones missed most of last season due to injury but he was a First Team All-Pro as a returner the year before. He stood out as arguably the best possible Patriots representative.

2023 (ineligible): Desmond King (Texans)

2022 (ineligible): Braxton Berrios (Jets)

2021 (ineligible): Gunner Olszewski (Patriots)

2020 (ineligible): Adoree’ Jackson (Titans)

Punter: Johnny Hekker (Panthers)

2023 (ineligible): Rigoberto Sanchez (Colts)

2022 (ineligible): Michael Dickson (Seahawks)

2021 (ineligible): Logan Cooke (Jaguars)

2020 (ineligible): Tress Way (Commanders)

Kicker: Chris Boswell (Steelers)   

2023 (ineligible): Matt Prater (Cardinals)

2022 (ineligible): Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texans)

2021 (ineligible): Younghoe Koo (Falcons)

2020 (ineligible): Randy Bullock (Bengals)

The Panthers and Steelers were the last teams left without representatives.

BROADCAST NEWS

Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com with a good overview of what’s new with NFL TV coverage:

In 2023, the NFL accounted for 93 of the 100 most-watched shows on television. Simply, we can’t get enough of NFL games on our screens.

The NFL makes annual tweaks to the schedule with its broadcasting partners in mind. Here are the most important changes to the schedule and to broadcasts this NFL season:

Tom Brady hits the booth

Has there ever been a more anticipated debut in the broadcast booth than Tom Brady? Perhaps the Dennis Miller experiment on “Monday Night Football” comes close. But it’s rare that who’s in the booth is the biggest story for a game between two good teams. That’s the case in Week 1, when Brady will be the color commentator for the Dallas Cowboys-Cleveland Browns game.

Brady signed a flabbergasting 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox. To put that in perspective, Brady’s career earnings in the NFL over 23 seasons were a little more than $317 million, according to OverTheCap. Now we’ll see how Brady’s personality translates to the booth.

Greg Olsen moves

Life isn’t always fair, and Olsen’s demotion is an example. Olsen, the former tight end with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, quickly became a star in the Fox booth. He was arguably the best color commentator on NFL broadcasts last season. But along came Brady, who has never called a game, and that bumped Olsen from Fox’s No. 1 team to its second team.

“My aspirations are still to be a No. 1 analyst, whether it’s at Fox or elsewhere,” Olsen said this offseason, via Panthers Wire. “That will never change as long as I do this. I’m not just content to be there, I’m not just happy to have a seat. I want the top seat, and I want that wherever that opportunity allows and I’ll never stop working for that. I feel more motivated for that now more than ever.”

First Friday

The NFL seems dead set on taking over every day of the week. The NFL hadn’t had a Friday game on its opening week since 1970. That will change. The league also had never had a regular-season game in South America, so the Green Bay Packers-Philadelphia Eagles game will be historic in a few ways.

The Eagles and Packers face each other in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 6, one day after the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs kick off the season in the annual Thursday night opener. The Brazil game is a fantastic matchup between two talented playoff teams from last season. On top of the rarity of the setting and date, this game will be streamed exclusively on Peacock. Let’s also assume this won’t be the last time the NFL sticks a Friday matchup in Week 1.

Christmas games on a Wednesday

Really, the NFL would have games every day if it could. This year Christmas fell on a Wednesday. The NFL has generally avoided Christmas, though it has slowly included more games when the holiday is on a weekend, and it has rarely played on Wednesday. No matter, as the NFL bent its schedule to have four teams play on Christmas. The Chiefs plays the Steelers in the first game and then the Ravens play at the Texans. Make sure to have Christmas dinner early.

Monday night doubleheaders

The NFL has tinkered with the Monday night doubleheader idea, and it’s trying out four of them this season. Those will come in Weeks 3, 4, 7 and 15. What will be annoying for some fans is all four doubleheaders will have games that overlap. In the first three doubleheaders, the first game will start 45 minutes before the second game. In the last doubleheader, there’s a 30-minute gap. It’s an interesting strategy, one that’s likely to bother most fans.

Streaming the season

NFL fans were used to games being on traditional networks. Slowly but surely, the NFL has given streaming services exclusive games. Don’t expect that to slow down, either.

This season, Peacock gets the Week 1 Packers-Eagles game. The two Christmas games will be on Netflix as part of a three-year deal to broadcast games on the holiday. Amazon Prime Video has Thursday night games again and the second Black Friday game (Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs) too. There’s also a game that will be on only ESPN+. That will be a Week 7 Monday night game between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers.

CBS’ big change

The CBS changes aren’t as dramatic as the ones over at Fox, but they did shuffle a bit. Matt Ryan is leaving the booth and joining “The NFL Today” pregame show. He’ll be replaced in the booth by Jason McCourty, who will join Andrew Catalon and Tiki Barber calling games. Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms will no longer be on “The NFL Today.”

ESPN’s Sunday pregame show

The main switch at ESPN happened just a couple weeks before the season. Mike Greenberg is the new host of “Sunday NFL Countdown,” ESPN’s weekly pregame show. He is replacing Sam Ponder, who was fired by the network.

2022 QBs

Erik Edholm of NFL.com points out that QB BROCK PURDY, Mr. Irrelevant, is the only starter from the 2022 Class of QBs (which in fairness to them, wasn’t supposed to be very good in the first place):

Speaking of trades — and cuts — the 2022 NFL Draft’s quarterback class had a fourth member dealt this offseason when Malik Willis was sent to the Packers. Willis joined the two quarterbacks drafted ahead of him, first-rounder Kenny Pickett and third-rounder Desmond Ridder, along with fifth-rounder Sam Howell, to be moved via trade this offseason.

Then, in a semi-surprising move, the Cardinals released Ridder on Tuesday. In addition, third-rounder Matt Corral, fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe and seventh-rounder Chris Oladokun all were cut this week — and for each of them, it was at least the second time they were released.

The only two draft picks still standing with their original teams: seventh-rounders Skylar Thompson (Dolphins) and Brock Purdy (49ers). Thompson has started a playoff game already, but Purdy is clearly the last best hope right now to keep the group’s reputation afloat until Pickett, Ridder, Willis or someone else gets a shot to start again.

Let’s hope they do. But right now, this ranks as one of the strangest QB classes we’ve seen in the modern era. Perhaps we now know why there was only one QB picked in the first 70 selections that year. I’d argue that Bears backup Tyson Bagent, who went undrafted in 2023, looks more proficient than most of the names on this list.

Some years, the draft gifts us quarterback riches. Other years, not so much. That’s just the nature of the operation.

Atlanta, Tennessee, Washington, Carolina and Pittsburgh all wasted early picks, when Purdy was hiding in plain sight.

On the other hand, we can’t help but wonder how well say Sam Howell or Kenny Pickett would have done with Shanahan and the Niners.  And whether Purdy would have been as effective in say Matt Rhule’s Carolina or Dan Snyder’s Washington.