NFL teams prioritize their biggest needs during free agency and the draft. High draft picks are expected to contribute from Day 1 and compete for starting positions, while late-round steals can also put veterans in jeopardy of losing their starting jobs, roster spots, or becoming trade bait. Players who survived in February and March are not guaranteed anything, and most teams will wait until the roster cutdown deadline to release or trade these players, hoping to receive trade compensation.
Without further ado, here are four NFL veterans in danger of losing a roster spot.
Buffalo Bills: WR Curtis Samuel
Buffalo Bills, Curtis Samuel
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Contract: 3-year, $24 million
2025 Cap Hit: $9,065,000
Post June 1st Cap Savings: $430,000 ($8,635,000 dead cap in 2025 and $3,450,000 in 2026)
Curtis Samuel had a rough regular season, finishing as the team’s ninth-leading receiver, but clicked in the playoffs. He had 31 receptions on 46 targets for 253 yards and one touchdown in 14 regular-season games and two starts. Samuel also hauled in six receptions on eight targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs.
The Bills improved their receiving corps in the offseason, signing Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, and Laviska Shenault Jr., and drafting Kaden Prather in the seventh round. With Palmer expected to start, Samuel will compete against Moore, Shenault, and Prather for the WR4 and WR5 spots. Since both players are cheaper options, the front office struggles to justify keeping him at $8 million per year, not to start.