As the preseason winds down, let's take a look at the Panthers in the Pros, along with who made an active roster (and who didn't).
The two headline are:
- Aaron Donald signing his mega contract extension and, for 24 hours, earning the distinction of being the highest paid defensive player in NFL history.
- Nate Peterman will most likely be the starter in Buffalo, with AJ McCarron getting traded to Oakland.
Updates on the three drafted rookies:
- Jordan Whitehead is officially listed as the second string safety after previously getting many reps with the first team in Tampa, but he should get plenty of action in the regular season
- Avonte Maddox also got some reps with the Eagles' first team in the preseason, but is now listed as the third string CB, but he did make the roster
- Brian O'Neill also secured a second string at RT with Minnesota after a solid preseason
Now, the following were expected to make the active roster, in addition to those listed above, and did: James Conner (PIT), Tyler Boyd (CIN), Andy Lee (ARZ), Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ), Dion Lewis (TEN), LeSean McCoy (BUF), Jabaal Sheard (IND), and K'Waun Williams (SF). That meant that the rest were fighting for a spot or needed to show just a bit more to secure a spot.
That means Nic Grigsby (NE) and Lafayette Pitts (BUF) were able to survive the "bubble" and make it to an active roster. Mannessah Garner is officially still with Washington, but he is on the IR list after tearing his ACL. Additionally, Bam Bradley is still on Baltimore's PUP list, so when he is healthy and able to play, they will have to make a decision to either cut him or cut someone else to make room for him. EDIT: Ryan Lewis was claimed off waivers today by Buffalo and TJ Clemmings was claimed by Oakland.
Additionally, the following made a practice squad: Jester Weah (HOU), Dorian Johnson (CAR), and Matt Flanagan (WAS).
That means the following did not make an active roster: Tom Savage, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Ejuan Price, Quadree Henderson, Adam Bisnowaty, JP Holtz, Matt Galambos, Dontez Ford, Matt Flanagan, Scott Orndoff, Shakir Soto, and Ryan Winslow. A few interesting things from this list are 1) Savage parting ways with New Orleans, 2) Price and Clemmings being cut after spending last season on an active roster, 3) both former Pitt o-linemen missing the cut in Carolina, and 4) Winslow losing the punter battle in Chicago. I'd say Price and Savage have to be the most surprising cuts. It's also of note that zero of this year's UDFA made it to a final roster. Additionally, it's important to remember that a few of these players might get signed to a team's practice squad. It also appears that there's a market for Savage. I'd expect him to be on a roster soon.
So, as of now, 18 former Pitt players will begin the regular season with an NFL team, with 16 being on an active roster. We'll have to wait to see who makes it on to a practice squad. Additionally, nine of those 14 are expected to start week one (didn't count Conner). Finally, Tommie Campbell is still going strong in the CFL, and the Post-Gazette actually did a story on him yesterday about his time in Canada.
The two headline are:
- Aaron Donald signing his mega contract extension and, for 24 hours, earning the distinction of being the highest paid defensive player in NFL history.
- Nate Peterman will most likely be the starter in Buffalo, with AJ McCarron getting traded to Oakland.
Updates on the three drafted rookies:
- Jordan Whitehead is officially listed as the second string safety after previously getting many reps with the first team in Tampa, but he should get plenty of action in the regular season
- Avonte Maddox also got some reps with the Eagles' first team in the preseason, but is now listed as the third string CB, but he did make the roster
- Brian O'Neill also secured a second string at RT with Minnesota after a solid preseason
Now, the following were expected to make the active roster, in addition to those listed above, and did: James Conner (PIT), Tyler Boyd (CIN), Andy Lee (ARZ), Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ), Dion Lewis (TEN), LeSean McCoy (BUF), Jabaal Sheard (IND), and K'Waun Williams (SF). That meant that the rest were fighting for a spot or needed to show just a bit more to secure a spot.
That means Nic Grigsby (NE) and Lafayette Pitts (BUF) were able to survive the "bubble" and make it to an active roster. Mannessah Garner is officially still with Washington, but he is on the IR list after tearing his ACL. Additionally, Bam Bradley is still on Baltimore's PUP list, so when he is healthy and able to play, they will have to make a decision to either cut him or cut someone else to make room for him. EDIT: Ryan Lewis was claimed off waivers today by Buffalo and TJ Clemmings was claimed by Oakland.
Additionally, the following made a practice squad: Jester Weah (HOU), Dorian Johnson (CAR), and Matt Flanagan (WAS).
That means the following did not make an active roster: Tom Savage, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Ejuan Price, Quadree Henderson, Adam Bisnowaty, JP Holtz, Matt Galambos, Dontez Ford, Matt Flanagan, Scott Orndoff, Shakir Soto, and Ryan Winslow. A few interesting things from this list are 1) Savage parting ways with New Orleans, 2) Price and Clemmings being cut after spending last season on an active roster, 3) both former Pitt o-linemen missing the cut in Carolina, and 4) Winslow losing the punter battle in Chicago. I'd say Price and Savage have to be the most surprising cuts. It's also of note that zero of this year's UDFA made it to a final roster. Additionally, it's important to remember that a few of these players might get signed to a team's practice squad. It also appears that there's a market for Savage. I'd expect him to be on a roster soon.
So, as of now, 18 former Pitt players will begin the regular season with an NFL team, with 16 being on an active roster. We'll have to wait to see who makes it on to a practice squad. Additionally, nine of those 14 are expected to start week one (didn't count Conner). Finally, Tommie Campbell is still going strong in the CFL, and the Post-Gazette actually did a story on him yesterday about his time in Canada.
Last edited:
