The headliner here is that Shedeur Sanders has done the impossible and made the Cleveland Browns’ roster. He is one of three rostered QBs alongside 40-year-old Joe Flacco, the projected starter, and rookie Dillon Gabriel, the third round pick from Oregon with whom Shedeur will compete for the backup job.
The CU receiver corps Shedeur was throwing to was loaded with NFL talent, three of whom have officially made their teams’ respective 53-man rosters. Travis Hunter made the cut in Jacksonville — surprise, surprise — while Jimmy Horn made the Panthers’ roster and LaJohntay Wester will return kicks in Baltimore.
Will Sheppard, however, was waived by Green Bay, even after scoring in their last preseason game. The big-bodied receiver should make someone’s practice squad as a vertical threat.
Two other Buffs signed as UDFAs in Jacksonville. Edge rusher BJ Green II made the 53-man roster, one of two undrafted rookies to make the cut, while hard-hitting safety Cam’ron Silmon-Craig was waived.
Shilo Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following his ejection for fighting Bills tight end Zach Davidson. Shilo was a long-shot to make the roster but his latest explosion sealed his fate. It’s anyone’s guess if he will get another shot in the NFL.
For another Deion-era Buff, we have good news in Arizona where Xavier Weaver has made the Cardinals’ 53-man roster, beating out preseason star Simi Fehoko for the final receiver spot. Weaver spent last season on Arizona’s practice squad and will hope for a larger role in Drew Petzing’s offensive scheme.
Nate Landman is back home in California with the Harare Bushbucks Los Angeles Rams. He signed with Atlanta as a UDFA in 2022, played sparingly his rookie season, then racked up 181 tackles the next two seasons. Now he has a chance to start in Chris Shula’s defense and turn his one-year contract into a long-term home.
Ahkello Witherspoon will also start for the Rams, his third year in LA and ninth in the NFL. (Yes, you’re getting old.) The other star DBs from the 2016 Buffs, Chidobe Awuzie and Isaiah Oliver, will play in 2025 on the Ravens and Jets, respectively. Oliver is now listed as a safety as playing his entire career at corner.
Sadly, Laviska Shenault Jr. didn’t make the cut in Buffalo. He’s bounced around since Jacksonville and has never found his NFL home. Still just 27, Viska could be useful as a returner or gadget player.
Some players who transferred away from Colorado have done well for themselves. Christian Gonzalez looks to build on his 2024 All-Pro selection in New England. Mekhi Blackmon was just traded from Minnesota to Indianapolis, as the 2023 third round pick looked good as a rookie but hasn’t recovered fully from a torn ACL.
There’s bad news for Brenden Rice fans, as the USC transfer was surprisingly waived by the Chargers. Rice, a seventh round pick, impressed at preseason camp as a potential deep ball received, but wasn’t good enough in the preseason to earn a roster spot. He will likely stay in LA on the practice squad.
Deep cuts Josh Tupou, Juwann Winfree and Will Sherman did not make NFL rosters. Tupou will make someone’s practice squad as a break-in-case-of-emergency nose tackle. Winfree was injured in the preseason, but the good news is that Houston placed him on IR rather than releasing him. Sherman just doesn’t look good enough, unfortunately.
The final Buff is a Colorado boy, a walk-on turned cult hero turned NFL tight end. Brady Russell has made the final cut and will play his third season for Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks. He’s a versatile player, capable of playing tight end and full back, and a seasoned special teamer.
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