5 Notable Rookie NFL Draft Picks Who Were Shockingly Waived During 53-Man Roster Cuts

All 32 NFL franchises were tasked with submitting their initial 53-man rosters by Sunday evening. Changes continued occurring once waiver claims were processed on Monday afternoon. Preparations for Week 1 are officially underway.

Rookie draft picks are usually secure from being waived in their first offseason. It's typically the undrafted rookies who are truly fighting for roster spots. Well, several 2026 draft selections were nonetheless waived during the cutdown process.

Upwards of 10 rookie draft picks were waived. We've compiled the five most notable here. Others who didn't earn full blurbs and analysis are listed as honorable mentions at the bottom of the article.

2026 NFL Draft: Rookie Draft Picks Who Got Waived During 53-Man Roster Cuts

Justin Joly, TE, Denver Broncos

Justin Joly was an athletic tight end prospect with a primary pass-catching skill set. That was on display when he recorded an 88-yard touchdown during the preseason. Despite making that highlight reel-worthy play, the Denver Broncos surprisingly cut their rookie fifth-round pick.

The Broncos are deep at tight end, with veterans Adam Trautman and Evan Engram having Sean Payton's trust. Joly remains a work in progress as a blocker, and his rawness in a critical area likely contributed to being waived. Joly needs more development, and he was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.

Jam Miller, RB, New England Patriots

Jam Miller once appeared on track to be the New England Patriots' third running back. Then the rookie seventh-round pick suffered a minor injury and lost critical reps. Miller was waived, with the Patriots going with Corey Kiner in the role behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson.

Miller rushed for 91 yards via 25 carries during the preseason. The former Alabama standout looked legitimately effective throughout his exhibition showings. It qualified as a minor surprise by the Patriots.

Domani Jackson, CB, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers rookie cornerback Domani Jackson missed the start of training camp with a core-muscle injury. He struggled when he finally got on the field during the preseason, looking like a prospect who missed those early offseason reps. The Packers just didn't see enough from Jackson to warrant a 53-man roster spot.

The Packers have fellow draft pick Brandon Cisse at cornerback. Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are returning assets. If Jackson gets fully healthy, he'll benefit from developing on a practice squad.

Andre Fuller, CB, Seattle Seahawks

A pretty weird, coincidental thing happened in Seattle. The Seahawks waived rookie cornerback Andre Fuller, whom they drafted in the seventh round. What made him expendable? Just before waiving Fuller, the Seahawks traded for his collegiate teammate, acquiring undrafted cornerback Avery Smith in a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Smith essentially claimed Fuller's roster spot in Seattle. The Seahawks also added veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs to the practice squad, and officially signed Terrion Arnold. General manager John Schneider continues to address cornerback depth.

Anthony Smith, WR, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys had an excellent undrafted receiver in Camden Brown who rightfully made their 53-man roster. When an undrafted rookie makes a roster, that makes someone else expendable. In this specific case, it was Cowboys seventh-round pick Anthony Smith.

Smith is internally linked by the Cowboys' coaching staff. He was immediately added to the team's practice squad. The East Carolina small-school product will continue developing behind the scenes, with a potential opportunity for a midseason call-up if injuries arise.

honorable mentions: Uar Bernard (DT, Eagles); Keyshawn James-Newby (EDGE, Eagles); Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Bills, claimed by Browns); Tyre West (DL, Lions); Tim Keenan III (DT, Rams); Deven Eastern (DL, Seahawks); Rayshaun Benny (DT, Ravens); Michael Dansby (CB, Seahawks).

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