Top 3 Most Shocking NFL Roster Cuts Ever

NFL history is filled with surprising roster cuts, often involving established veterans or high draft picks who unexpectedly found themselves looking for a new team.

The top 3

  1. Legendary Players Unexpectedly Released: Cris Carter was cut by the Eagles in 1990 before becoming a Hall of Famer with the Vikings, while Richard Sherman and Jordy Nelson were surprising cuts in 2018 after successful careers with the Seahawks and Packers, respectively.
  2. Highest Draft Picks Cut Early in Their Careers: Dimitrius Underwood, the 29th overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, was waived by the Vikings after just one practice due to mental health issues, becoming the only modern first-round pick cut in his rookie training camp.
  3. Preseason Stars Who Still Missed the Final Roster: Players like Greg Dulcich, who led the NFL in preseason touchdowns in 2022, and Nathan Rourke, a CFL phenom who impressed in the Jaguars' 2026 preseason, were still surprisingly cut despite strong performances.

Sources

Open the full topic