Omar Khan NFL Cutdowns
Omar Khan NFL Cutdowns
In a few days, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the other 31 NFL teams will trim their rosters. As the final piece of roster building before the regular season begins, pro scouting departments will confer with general managers to decide which players, if any, are worth claiming off waivers. These decisions can also shape who each team keeps.
What positions will the NFL covet most? Using Pro Football Reference’s transactions tracker, I’ve gone back and tallied waiver claims following cutdowns from 2022 through 2025. Below is a table showing which positions were claimed the most and least. This considers only claims, not veteran signings, but it still provides a large enough sample to draw conclusions.
Position Waiver Claims
Cornerback 32
Offensive Line 23
Linebacker 15
Defensive Line 13
Safety 10
Running Back 6
Wide Receiver 6
EDGE 6
Tight End 6
Quarterback 4
Special Teams 2
Cornerback and offensive line easily lead the group. It tracks with what Assistant GM Andy Weidl recently told reporters, pointing out that those two positions often deal with the most attrition. Last year, 11 cornerbacks were claimed post-cutdowns. No other position had more than four.
League-wide interest in offensive linemen is why the Steelers have kept some trench players on the roster. They kept Zach Banner in 2018 and Dylan Cook in 2023 to prevent prospective teams from claiming and stashing each.
Linebacker is third. A little surprising to see so high, though I had a bit of difficulty breaking down true EDGE rushers versus off-ball linebacker. Defensive line is right behind and more evidence of teams wanting to add to the trenches.
Offensive skill positions are low on the list. Running back, wide receiver, and tight end have just six each. Most teams have enough internal options at those positions that they don’t need to go chasing someone from the outside.
Quarterbacks have had just four waiver claims. A pair in 2022 (Ian Book, Kellen Mond), one in 2023 (Matt Corral), zero in 2024, and one in 2025 (Tommy DeVito). On paper, that improves Will Howard’s chances of making it through waivers if he’s cut, but it certainly doesn’t guarantee it.
It also suggests where Pittsburgh could try to trade. If there’s a 10th offensive lineman the team won’t keep on the 53-man roster, the Steelers could move him, and there could be a market. Teams can always gamble on submitting a waiver claim, but they take the chance of losing out if there are multiple claims. Dealing Kaleb Johnson could be harder, though the three years left on his contract, including 2026, make him a little more appealing to an interested team.
Each season is different. But there are clear trends of what the NFL at large is searching for. Cornerback and offensive line are at the top of wish lists, and that’s important context Pittsburgh should keep in mind when they make their final decisions.