Waiver Wire Watch: 13 Cut Players Worth Claiming as NFL Teams Finalize Rosters
NFL teams have trimmed rosters to 53 players, freeing hundreds of players for other clubs. The waiver claim window closes Monday at 1 p.m. ET, with the Las Vegas Raiders holding the top priority. Cornerback Bralyn Lux, released by the Bengals, leads a list of 13 players who could strengthen a roster.
The waiver claim window closes Monday at 1 p.m. ET, with priority determined by the 2025 regular season standings, placing the Las Vegas Raiders first in line. Players with three or fewer accrued seasons must pass through waivers, while vested veterans with four or more seasons become immediate free agents. The article's top target, Bralyn Lux, played primarily at nickel for Cincinnati, showing strong instincts in coverage and physical run defense, plus special teams value. Philadelphia's Kapena Gushiken offers similar versatility across nickel and safety, while Arizona's Christian Jones projects as the best swing tackle available, having worked both tackle spots in preseason.
Several players previously highlighted in the publication's weekly stock watch, such as Colts linebacker Tahj Chambers and Panthers tackle Albert Reese IV, secured 53-man roster spots. The remaining pool represents depth options for teams looking to strengthen the bottom of their rosters, with the Raiders holding the most advantageous position in the claiming order.
This waiver wire period could meaningfully reshape the depth of NFL rosters heading into the regular season, affecting players' careers and teams' competitive fortunes. For the roughly 13 highlighted players, a claim could mean an immediate path to playing time or a practice squad assignment, altering their professional trajectories. Fans of teams with high waiver priority, like the Raiders, may feel a sense of opportunity, while those supporting clubs lower in the order might see promising talent land elsewhere. The process underscores how roster management decisions ripple through the league's competitive balance.