The NFL’s 53-man roster deadline came and went on Tuesday, and while there was a flurry of moves throughout the afternoon, more transactions are on the way on Wednesday.
For vested veterans — players with four or more years of accumulated experience — free agency will begin immediately. Players with three or fewer seasons of accumulated experience will head to the waiver wire.
10 most intriguing players headed for the NFL waiver wire
Teams will have until noon on Wednesday to claim players on the waiver wire. The wire moves will then be announced at 1 pm ET. From there, teams will be able to set up their 16-man practice squads.
Here are the 10 most intriguing names on the waiver wire heading into the noon claim deadline.
WR Tyler Johnson
Johnson was a surprise cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday. The former fifth-round pick spent just two seasons in Tampa Bay but seemed earmarked for the fifth wideout spot. He caught 48 passes for 529 yards and two touchdowns during his first two NFL campaigns. A deep-speedster, Johnson should receive looks on the waiver wire from several teams.
QB Kellen Mond
Sometimes, a fresh start can help you in the NFL. Other times, it can serve you walking papers. Mond, a 2021 third-round pick, was waived by the Minnesota Vikings’ new regime on Tuesday. He played just three snaps for the squad during his 16 months with the franchise. Mond could appeal to a team due to his draft pedigree and perceived upside at the QB position.
S Jason Pinnock
Pinnock was another surprise on the waiver wire during final cuts. The New York Jets selected Pinnock in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He lasted one season in the Meadowlands and produced 16 tackles and two forced fumbles as a rookie. He still has three years left on his rookie deal, so a team claiming him would have a long-term asset.
T/G Alex Leatherwood
While it’s unlikely Leatherwood gets claimed due to the astronomical guarantees in his rookie contract, the former Las Vegas Raiders lineman could not be excluded from this list. A first-round pick just one year ago, Leatherwood should be appealing to some teams looking for upgrades along the offensive line. That said, with the fully guaranteed contract of a former first-round pick, interest isn’t likely to pick up until after the wire closes.
C/G John Leglue
In the NFL, the more you can do, the more valuable you are. Leglue is an intriguing young player because of his versatility. He can play both guard spots and center, and he has the ability to snap long as well. The 26-year-old lineman started five games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and is still young enough to be a worthwhile backup in the middle of the line. Maybe he can be the (Le)glue for a battered and broken offensive line.
S Marquise Blair
Like Pinnock, Blair is a young safety who has a strong enough batch of tape that he should be able to get looks elsewhere. Blair played 22 games over three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and has some hard-hitting playmaking ability. He produced three forced fumbles during his time in the NFC West.
TE Noah Togiai
Despite having an extremely productive training camp and solid preseason, Togiai was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday. Togiai has grown as a receiver since entering the NFL as a project player in 2020. After spending time with the Eagles and Indianapolis Colts, he’s developed into a worthwhile depth player with upside. He’s still relatively new to the tight end position and could appeal to a team as a No. 3 players on their depth chart.
P Drew Chrisman
Teams looking for an upgrade at punter should look into Chrisman, who surprisingly lost the Cincinnati Bengals’ competition to longtime specialist Kevin Huber on Tuesday. The 25-year-old punter seemingly had the job in hand after punting seven times for 344 yards (49.1 yards per attempt) in three preseason games. Instead, he will look for work on the wire.
DE Bradley Anae
Anae seemingly had a productive camp with the Jets after being released by the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. The pass rusher produced a sack in a prime-time preseason matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and drew praise from the coaching staff. Instead of basking in the glory of a roster spot, Annae will look to join his third team within the calendar year.
DB Andre Chachere
Like Togiai, Chachere was one of the Eagles’ more surprising send-offs. The hybrid defensive back was claimed off waivers by the Eagles last year following final cuts. He became a standout gunner on special teams and showed growth as a defender this summer. He will hope to make history repeat itself with a claim on Wednesday. Several teams value special teams aces, and Chachere could be an option for a club looking for a core-four player.
Waiver wire order
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Detroit Lions
- Houston Texans
- New York Jets
- New York Giants
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Atlanta Falcons
- Denver Broncos
- Seattle Seahawks
- Washington Commanders
- Minnesota Vikings
- Cleveland Browns
- Baltimore Ravens
- Miami Dolphins
- Indianapolis Colts
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New Orleans Saints
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- New England Patriots
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Arizona Cardinals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
- Tennessee Titans
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Green Bay Packers
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Los Angeles Rams