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2022 NFL roster projections: Final 53-man player evaluation for each team before cut day

All 32 NFL teams have now played their final preseason game as they prepare to set their final 53-man rosters for the 2022 NFL regular season, which kicks off Sept. 8 with the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams hosting the Buffalo Bills.

Teams have to trim their rosters by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. They have been evaluating players across every position since training camp started in late July, and those third and final preseason games offered one last chance to see players on the roster bubble battling for a spot. Preseason closed on Sunday with a pair of games: The Jets beat the Giants with a final-minute touchdown, and the Steelers defeated the Lions.

ESPN's NFL Nation reporters reveal how the lineup will look after final cuts and predict who will crack the 53-man roster. What is the biggest thing to know for each team's looming decisions, and who will make the team after Tuesday's deadline? Our reporters project it all, with analysis on the most important position battles to keep an eye on.

Each roster projection file is content.

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Arizona Cardinals

Most of the Cardinals' depth chart has been set for a while now aside from a few bottom-of-the-roster spots. Arizona's roster was designed to withstand DeAndre Hopkins' early-season absence as well as being built to win in the second half of the season, which has been an issue the past two years. Josh Weinfuss' final 53-man roster projection


Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons brought in a lot of new and younger players this offseason. It led to a lot of competition for coach Arthur Smith, and at positions like receiver and running back, some very difficult roster decisions. How the team handles that -- and what it does with 2020 second-rounder Marlon Davidson -- are key in its initial 53-man roster grouping. Michael Rothstein's final 53-man roster projection


Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have been the NFL's most dominant rushing team since Lamar Jackson became the starting quarterback four years ago. But could Baltimore actually keep as many running backs as wide receivers on its season-opening roster? The Ravens are expected to carry double-digit offensive linemen, too. Jamison Hensley's final 53-man roster projection


Buffalo Bills

The Bills made a splash in free agency by signing Von Miller, and on that same day in March, the team signed tight end OJ Howard to a one-year deal. But Howard hasn't shown much through camp while tight ends Tommy Sweeney and Quintin Morris have been making their cases and also contributing on special teams. How many tight ends should the Bills keep, and does Howard's guaranteed salary secure him a roster spot? Alaina Getzenberg's final 53-man roster projection


Carolina Panthers

With Baker Mayfield officially the starting quarterback the focus shifts to getting continuity along an offensive line that was a mess in 2021. Making rookie Ikem Ekwonu the starting left tackle will come with growing pains, but in the long run the team will be better for it. There's still a need for depth on the defensive line, particularly end. David Newton's final 53-man roster projection


Chicago Bears

The Bears' new regime of general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus overhauled the roster, but Chicago has yet to build around QB Justin Fields, and the depth at wide receiver behind Darnell Mooney is concerning. Courtney Cronin's final 53-man roster projection


Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have quality depth on the defensive side of the ball but all eyes will be on the offensive line. Rookie Cordell Volson is in line to be the starting left guard and protect Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow after he was sacked 70 times in 2021. Ben Baby's final 53-man roster projection


Cleveland Browns

With Deshaun Watson out 11 games for violating the personal conduct policy, the onus has fallen on backup QB Jacoby Brissett to keep Cleveland in the playoff picture until Watson returns in Week 13. Brissett does have experience filling in for big-name QBs before, including Tom Brady and Andrew Luck. And the Browns have a loaded roster around Brissett to help him. Jake Trotter's final 53-man roster projection


Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys don't have any big names on the bubble, but their toughest decisions will come along the defensive line. A case could be made for 13 players to make the 53-man roster but that's just not realistic. It could lead to some potential trades, though nothing major. Owner/GM Jerry Jones has often said a key part to the 1990s Super Bowl success was the line rotation. This year's team might be as deep as those teams with Micah Parsons a wild card because of his linebacker ability. Todd Archer's final 53-man roster projection


Denver Broncos

The Broncos didn't play most of their starters in the preseason, so most of their big decisions are down in the guts of the depth chart. But general manager George Paton has made no secret he is weary of the team's poor play on special teams so several moves will be made with those units in mind. Paton is also on the hunt for more draft picks next April, so he will listen to any and all offers he may receive. Jeff Legwold's final 53-man roster projection


Detroit Lions

Detroit's limited receiving corps was an Achilles' heel to last year's roster, but that certainly isn't the case now, as the Lions will have some big decisions to make within that position group. Tom Kennedy has shined throughout the preseason, but will the Lions keep the 2019 undrafted free agent with all of the other talent at receiver? Eric Woodyard's final 53-man roster projection


Green Bay Packers

The Packers have kept seven receivers before, but what about eight? They have that many legitimate candidates as they rebuild the position and probably could find a way to keep all of them. If they keep fewer, they'll try to figure out who could get through waivers without getting claimed. Rob Demovsky's final 53-man roster projection


Houston Texans

Some of the Texans' top 2022 draft choices -- guard Kenyon Green (Round 1), receiver John Metchie III (Round 2) and linebacker Christian Harris (Round 3) -- have dealt with unfortunate injuries or illness, which has opened opportunities for bubble players who have capitalized on the chance. DJ Bien-Aime's final 53-man roster projection


Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' biggest decisions center on the fate of No. 3 quarterback Sam Ehlinger and what to do with injured All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who is on the physically unable to perform list. The other question facing the Colts: Do they have enough quality depth for a team with high aspirations in the crowded AFC? Stephen Holder's final 53-man roster projection


Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars' spending spree in free agency on offensive skill players is the centerpiece of a reloaded offense that should be markedly better than last year's unit (which averaged 13.8 points per game). Receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram will make a huge difference in second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence's development. Of course, the most important part of this year's roster is the guy in charge of it is no longer Urban Meyer. Michael DiRocco's final 53-man roster projection


Kansas City Chiefs

A couple of accomplished veteran skill players in wide receiver Josh Gordon and running back Ronald Jones appear to face long odds to make the team. The Chiefs, after making 10 draft picks in the spring, will likely have more rookies heading into 2022 than they've brought onto the final 53-man roster in several seasons, including first-round picks Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis. Adam Teicher's final 53-man roster projection


Las Vegas Raiders

Big names dot the Raiders roster at the offensive skill positions -- QB Derek Carr, WRs Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, TE Darren Waller, RB Josh Jacobs. But the key to the whole thing rests with the grunts. Because while highlight reels feature Carr & Co., games are won and lost in the trenches. And if the Raiders O-line can't give Carr time to find his guys, none of it will matter. Paul Gutierrez's final 53-man roster projection


Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers feature a star-packed roster, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, cornerback J.C Jackson and safety Derwin James. But the question remains whether they've filled in a few of the less glamorous spots, such as right tackle and backup running back, with enough talent to power them to their first playoff appearance in four seasons. Lindsey Thiry's final 53-man roster projection


Los Angeles Rams

The Rams ensured they kept the majority of their Super Bowl-winning roster intact by extending several star players, including defensive lineman Aaron Donald, quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp. Los Angeles hasn't re-signed wideout Odell Beckham Jr., who is recovering from a torn ACL, but this roster projection is chalk full of wide receivers. Sarah Barshop's final 53-man roster projection


Miami Dolphins

Miami returns every starter from a defense that finished eighth in defensive EPA a season ago -- but it's a different story on the offensive side of the ball. The Dolphins completely revamped a unit that hasn't finished in the top-10 in total offense since 1996, the longest active drought in the NFL. It's truly a new-look offense, particularly at running back and wide receiver, where only three players from last season are projected to make this 53-man roster. Marcel Louis-Jacques' final 53-man roster projection


Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings overhauled their leadership team last winter, hiring general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell. But the pair decided not to overhaul the roster. More than two-thirds of the players on this projected roster are holdovers from 2021, roughly the league average for teams with returning coaches. Kevin Seifert's final 53-man roster projection


New England Patriots

Rookie WR Tyquan Thornton's shoulder/clavicle injury creates a new wrinkle, as the team will need to carry him on the initial 53-man roster before moving him to short-term injured reserve. How the team navigates that, without exposing a youngster to waivers, bears watching. Mike Reiss' final 53-man roster projection


New Orleans Saints

The Saints are deep at cornerback and wide receiver, but linebacker depth is a problem. Figuring out the bottom half of that group will be a challenge. Another challenge: What to do about wide receiver/running back Kirk Merritt, who's made a name for himself this summer. Katherine Terrell's final 53-man roster projection


New York Giants

The Giants have some big decisions to make. How do they juggle the final roster with all these injuries? What do they do with receiver Darius Slayton? A trade seems plausible there. There are so many possibilities for new general manager Joe Schoen, who will be looking outside to fill holes at several key positions, including at cornerback and along the offensive line. Jordan Raanan's final 53-man roster projection


New York Jets

The spotlight is on wide receiver Denzel Mims, a former second-round pick who hasn't lived up to expectations. He's one of four players from the 2020 draft class who might not be back. Team officials say they won't cut Mims, but they could trade him for the right offer. He enhanced his value with a big game on Sunday against the Giants. The Jets have a surplus of defensive linemen, which could also spark trade activity. Rich Cimini's final 53-man roster projection


Philadelphia Eagles

Wide receiver is the greatest position of intrigue as the team shapes its final roster. Former first-round pick Jalen Reagor has been "battling for a spot" this summer, according to coach Nick Sirianni. He had his most consistent training camp to date, but that hasn't slowed down the trade speculation. If Philadelphia can get a decent return, a fresh start could be best for both sides and would open up a spot for Deon Cain or rookie Britain Covey. Tim McManus' final 53-man roster projection


Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky are obviously locks to make the 53-man roster, but one of the biggest questions is what the team decides to do with Mason Rudolph. With Pickett's emergence, Rudolph is a trade candidate -- and the Steelers could use him either as part of a trade package to acquire depth at offensive line or outside linebacker, or for future draft capital. Brooke Pryor's final 53-man roster projection


San Francisco 49ers

Whether they can find a trade for him or not, the 49ers have to make a move with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sooner rather than later. That decision seems to have already been made, which means his absence from the roster might have to come via release despite the team hanging on to him for as long as possible. Absent Garoppolo, expect the Niners to load up on both lines. Nick Wagoner's final 53-man roster projection


Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have their biggest decision out of the way now that coach Pete Carroll has picked Geno Smith to start over Drew Lock in Week 1, calling their quarterback competition right after the preseason finale. But that is only part of the equation after an offseason roster reset still has plenty of other position battles to sort out before the opener. Brady Henderson's final 53-man roster projection


Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With quarterback Tom Brady already retiring once this offseason, every aspect of the Bucs' roster will be constructed around giving him the best chance at another Super Bowl. That includes carrying a whopping seven wide receivers, a testament to the Bucs' much improved depth at the position but also because they're trying to avoid the injury bug that hit them so hard last season. Jenna Laine's final 53-man roster projection


Tennessee Titans

Parting ways with valuable players such as A.J. Brown and Rodger Saffold have made it difficult for the Titans to reload their roster to contend for the AFC South title. GM Jon Robinson brought in a mix of veterans and rookies to fill the void in the passing game and along the offensive line. Turron Davenport's final 53-man roster projection


Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders roster questions revolved around which veterans might not be available to open the season, namely receiver Curtis Samuel (yep), defensive end Chase Young (nope), and tight end Logan Thomas (possibly). For the Commanders it's as much about finding stronger depth -- they need it at corner and linebacker in particular -- and making sure their younger players progress. John Keim's final 53-man roster projection