Notable NFL Roster Cuts
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Notable NFL Roster Cuts
Arian Foster
After seven years and four Pro Bowl appearances, the Texans cut ties with running back Arian Foster, who only played in four games in 2015. Foster will leave the franchise as the all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. Foster was originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and became the starter in 2010, when he rushed for 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Mario Williams
After four seasons, two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro selection, the Bills cut Mario Williams. 2015 was a down year for the 30-year-old defensive end, who had repeatedly questioned coach Rex Ryan’s defense during the year.
Jahri Evans
The longtime New Orleans Saint won’t be playing in the black and gold for the first time since he came into the league in 2006. He has started all 153 games that he appeared in since he came into the league, was a six-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. He won a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2009.
Antonio Cromartie
Former first-round pick by the Chargers had his second stint with the Jets ended this offseason, after a year in which he didn’t have an interception since his rookie year in 2006. The four-time Pro-Bowler and 2007 All-Pro will be 32 years old at the beginning of the 2016 season.
Roddy White
The Falcons released the franchise’s all-time leading receiver with two years left on his contract after three consecutive years of diminishing production. The four-time Pro Bowler had 10,863 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns in his 11 seasons in Atlanta.
Michael Griffin
After nine years with the Titans, Tennessee cut safety Michael Griffin. He has been a mainstay in the secondary every year since he was drafted in the first round in 2007. He made the Pro Bowl twice in his career, but not since 2010, when he had four interceptions and 86 tackles. In 2015, he only had one interception, and he will be 31 years-old during the 2016 season.
Marques Colston
The 32-year-old Marques Colston was cut by the Saints after a decade with the team. The veteran receiver has had diminishing receptions every year since 2012, when he had 83 catches for 1,143 yards. He leaves New Orleans as the franchise leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Charles Johnson
In order to clear cap space, the Panthers cut nine-year veteran defensive end Charles Johnson. He has been a starter on the Panthers defensive line since 2010 and started all nine games he played in this year. Releasing him clears up $11 million in cap space for the Panthers in 2016.
James Laurinaitis
St. Louis will be without its mainstay on defense for the first time since the 2008 season after releasing linebacker James Laurinaitis. The second-round pick in 2009 had started every single game since he was drafted, recording 653 tackles and 16.5 sacks in his seven-year career.
Chris Long
Another veteran on the defensive side of the ball for the Rams, defensive end Chris Long had trouble staying on the field the last two years, only starting 11 games in 2014 and 2015 combined.
Scott Chandler
The Patriots cut Scott Chandler after one season with the team. In 2015, the 30-year-old tight end caught 23 passes for 259 yards and four touchdowns. An eight-year NFL veteran, Chandler was with the Bills for five years before joining New England in 2015.
Brandon LaFell
The second major cut of the offseason for the Patriots, LaFell failed to become an impact player in his second season with the team. The 29-year-old played in 11 games, starting seven of them and had 37 receptions for 515 yards. It was the first season in his six-year career in which he did not score a touchdown.
Jared Cook
The Rams cut veteran tight end Jared Cook after his third season in St. Louis. Cook is entering his eight season in the NFL and played with the Titans for four years before going to St. Louis. 2015 was the first year since he was a rookie in 2009 that Cook failed to record a touchdown.
Riley Cooper
The Eagles released veteran receiver Riley cooper after his second-straight down year. The 28-year-old Florida alum had only two touchdowns on 21 receptions, his fewest since 2011.