NFL teams are playing their final preseason games as they prepare to set their final 53-man rosters for the 2022 NFL regular season, which kicks off Sept. 8 with the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams hosting the Buffalo Bills. Teams have to trim their rosters by 4 pm ET on Tuesday. They have been evaluating players across every position since training camp started in late July, and these third and final preseason games offer one last chance to see players on the roster bubble battling for a spot.
Four teams played Thursday, and eight more wrapped up their preseason Friday. Saturday has a slate of eight games before Sunday’s finale, which concludes with two games.
As each team plays its final preseason game, ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters reveal how the lineup will look after final cuts and predict who will crack the 53-man roster. With the first two days in the books of the final week in the preseason, check back throughout the weekend as we project all 32 teams’ final rosters as they turn their attention toward the regular season.
Each roster projection file is
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Friday
The Bills made a splash in free agency by signing Von Miller, and on the same day in March, the team signed tight end OJ Howard to a one-year deal. But Howard hasn’t shown much through camp while tight ends Tommy Sweeney and Quintin Morris have been making their cases and also contributing on special teams. How many tight ends should the Bills keep, and does Howard’s guaranteed salary secure him a roster spot? Alaina Getzenberg’s final 53-man roster projection
With Baker Mayfield officially the starting quarterback the focus shifts to getting continuity along an offensive line that was a mess in 2021. Making rookie Ikem Ekwonu the starting left tackle will come with growing pains, but in the long run the team will be better for it . There’s still a need for depth on the defensive line, particularly at the end. David Newton’s final 53-man roster projection
The Saints are deep at cornerback and wide receiver, but linebacker depth is a problem. Figuring out the bottom half of that group will be a challenge. Another challenge: What to do about wide receiver/running back Kirk Merritt, who’s made a name for himself this summer. Katherine Terrell’s final 53-man roster projection
The Chargers feature a star-packed roster, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, cornerback JC Jackson and safety Derwin James. But the question remains whether they’ve filled in a few of the less glamorous spots, such as right tackle and backup running back, with enough talent to power them to their first playoff appearance in four seasons. Lindsey Thierry’s final 53-man roster projection
Big names dot the Raiders roster at the offensive skill positions — QB Derek Carr, WRs Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, TE Darren Waller, RB Josh Jacobs. But the key to the whole thing rests with the grunts. Because while highlight reels feature Carr & Co., games are won and lost in the trenches. And if the Raiders O-line can’t give Carr time to find his guys, none of it will matter. Paul Gutierrez’s final 53-man roster projection
Rookie WR Tyquan Thornton’s shoulder/clavicle injury creates a new wrinkle, as the team will need to carry him on the initial 53-man roster before moving him to short-term injured reserve. How the team navigates that, without exposing a youngster to waivers, bears watching. Mike Reiss’ final 53-man roster projection
The Cowboys don’t have any big names on the bubble, but their toughest decisions will come along the defensive line. A case could be made for 13 players to make the 53-man roster, but that’s just not realistic. It could lead to some potential trades, although nothing major. Owner/GM Jerry Jones has often said that a key part of the 1990s Super Bowl success was the line rotation. This year’s team might be as deep as those teams with Micah Parsons a wild card because of his linebacker ability. Todd Archer’s final 53-man roster projection
The Seahawks have their biggest decision out of the way now that coach Pete Carroll has picked Geno Smith to start over Drew Lock in Week 1, calling their quarterback competition right after the preseason finale. But that is only part of the equation after an offseason roster reset still has plenty of other position battles to sort out before the opener. Brady Henderson’s final 53-man roster projection
Thursday
The Packers have kept seven receivers before, but what about eight? They have that many legitimate candidates as they rebuild the position and probably could find a way to keep all of them. If they keep fewer, they’ll try to figure out who could get through waivers without getting claimed. Rob Demovsky’s final 53-man roster projection
Some of the Texans’ top 2022 draft choices — guard Kenyon Green (Round 1), receiver John Metchie III (Round 2) and linebacker Christian Harris (Round 3) — have dealt with unfortunate injuries or illness, which has opened opportunities for bubble players who have capitalized on the chance. DJ Bien-Aime’s final 53-man roster projection
A couple of accomplished veteran skill players in wide receiver Josh Gordon and running back Ronald Jones appear to face long odds to make the team. The Chiefs, after making 10 draft picks in the spring, will likely have more rookies heading into 2022 than they’ve brought onto the final 53-man roster in several seasons, including first-round picks Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis. Adam Teicher’s final 53-man roster projection
Whether they can find a trade for him or not, the 49ers have to make a move with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sooner rather than later. That decision seems to have already been made, which means his absence from the roster might have to come via release despite the team hanging on to him for as long as possible. Absent Garoppolo, expect the Niners to load up on both lines. Nick Wagoner’s final 53-man roster projection
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