xwalker
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There are some general tendencies every year in regards to players making the active roster and practice squad.
When I look at fringe players, I like to consider where each player fits within the following guidelines.
1st year players:
1. Draft picks are harder to slide to the practice squad than UDFAs.
2. If a UDFA was given above average guaranteed money, then other teams wanted that player and those teams are a threat to sign that player from the Practice Squad.
Example: Magee
3. If a UDFA was not given above average guaranteed money, then that player is likely to make it to the PS, at least for awhile.
Example: Kendial Lawrence, Hamilton, Reed
p.s. People will "feel" that Hamilton is not in this category; however, just keep in mind that other teams could have offered him more money to sign as a UDFA if they really wanted him. It might not matter because he only has to beat out now-overpaid Danny McCray for the 5th safety spot.
2nd year and later players:
4. If a guy was on the practice squad last year without being signed by another team, then it is doubtful that another team would sign him this year either.
Example: Danny Coale was on the PS before being injured.
5. If a player was moved from the PS to the active roster late in the previous season, then there was probably interest in that player from another team.
Example: Weems, Leary
6. If a veteran was signed this offseaon to a veteran’s minimum contract, then other teams didn’t have a great interest in that player when the roster limit was 90. It’s doubtful that there will be significant interest in that player when the roster limit is 53. A roster spot often opens up after the 1st or 2nd game due to injury or other reasons which allows players in this category to be re-signed at some point.
Example: Hayden, Hargrove, Sims, Rosario
7. If a player has not been available as a Free Agent since being on the active roster, then there is a good chance that some team will sign that player if cut. The other team might try to slide that player to their own PS later.
Example: Tanner
8. Great performances in the pre-season can make a players value to other teams higher.
9. Special Teams can be the deciding factor for non-starters.
Example: Beasley must be significantly better than the bigger WRs because he does not appear to be a special teams contributor.
10. Don’t forget player's secondary skills. RBs must be able to block and catches passes. Pass-rushers must be able to play the run.
Example: Kendial Lawrence will have to be able to block to have any chance of making the 53 man roster.
11. Injury history could be the deciding factor.
Example: Ernie Sims has had multiple concussions.
12. Don't forget restructured contracts. If a players contract was restructured this off-season, then most of his original base salary was guaranteed.
Example: If Livings contract was restructured, then there is a minimal chance that he gets cut. I'm not certain that it did or didn't get restructured. Someone posted that Cook's contract was restructured; however, that does not appear to be correct.
When I look at fringe players, I like to consider where each player fits within the following guidelines.
1st year players:
1. Draft picks are harder to slide to the practice squad than UDFAs.
2. If a UDFA was given above average guaranteed money, then other teams wanted that player and those teams are a threat to sign that player from the Practice Squad.
Example: Magee
3. If a UDFA was not given above average guaranteed money, then that player is likely to make it to the PS, at least for awhile.
Example: Kendial Lawrence, Hamilton, Reed
p.s. People will "feel" that Hamilton is not in this category; however, just keep in mind that other teams could have offered him more money to sign as a UDFA if they really wanted him. It might not matter because he only has to beat out now-overpaid Danny McCray for the 5th safety spot.
2nd year and later players:
4. If a guy was on the practice squad last year without being signed by another team, then it is doubtful that another team would sign him this year either.
Example: Danny Coale was on the PS before being injured.
5. If a player was moved from the PS to the active roster late in the previous season, then there was probably interest in that player from another team.
Example: Weems, Leary
6. If a veteran was signed this offseaon to a veteran’s minimum contract, then other teams didn’t have a great interest in that player when the roster limit was 90. It’s doubtful that there will be significant interest in that player when the roster limit is 53. A roster spot often opens up after the 1st or 2nd game due to injury or other reasons which allows players in this category to be re-signed at some point.
Example: Hayden, Hargrove, Sims, Rosario
7. If a player has not been available as a Free Agent since being on the active roster, then there is a good chance that some team will sign that player if cut. The other team might try to slide that player to their own PS later.
Example: Tanner
8. Great performances in the pre-season can make a players value to other teams higher.
9. Special Teams can be the deciding factor for non-starters.
Example: Beasley must be significantly better than the bigger WRs because he does not appear to be a special teams contributor.
10. Don’t forget player's secondary skills. RBs must be able to block and catches passes. Pass-rushers must be able to play the run.
Example: Kendial Lawrence will have to be able to block to have any chance of making the 53 man roster.
11. Injury history could be the deciding factor.
Example: Ernie Sims has had multiple concussions.
12. Don't forget restructured contracts. If a players contract was restructured this off-season, then most of his original base salary was guaranteed.
Example: If Livings contract was restructured, then there is a minimal chance that he gets cut. I'm not certain that it did or didn't get restructured. Someone posted that Cook's contract was restructured; however, that does not appear to be correct.
