All 32 NFL teams had to trim their rosters to 53 players by 4pm yesterday, and 7 former NC State players were cut.
The most notable cut is former Wolfpack All-American Cornerback David Amerson, who was signed to a 1-year contract with the Chiefs back in February, with a base salary of $2.25 million (worth up to $6 million). Amerson was entering his 6th NFL season, after being drafted by the Redskins in the 2nd round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
He spent 2 seasons (plus two games in 2015) in Washington, and roughly 3 seasons in Oakland. In 5 seasons, Amerson has 251 tackles, 63 pass breakups and 8 interceptions.
Amerson had a terrible preseason, and found himself bumped to the 3rd string. At 26 years old, despite his up-and-down career, I expect him to find a new NFL home, but I think his days as a starter are over.
Defensive Tackle T.Y. McGill was entering his 1st NFL season as a member of the Chiefs, but he never made it to Game 1, being released by Kansas City yesterday. McGill was quickly claimed off of waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers, joining Justin Jones, another former NC State Defensive Tackle. After going undrafted in 2015, McGill has made 4 straight NFL rosters.
McGill played 25 games for the Colts in his 1st two seasons, but only played 3 games for the Browns last year before being assigned to the Practice Squad.
Former NC State Tight End David Grinnage was released by the Jaguars, but was instantly signed to their practice squad, where he has been for the past two seasons (Grinnage went undrafted in 2016). Each NFL team can only keep 10 players on their practice squad, and they make $7,600 a week.
Former Wolfpack Cornerback Jack Tocho was waived by the Minnesota Vikings, who drafted him in the 7th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Like Grinnage, Tocho has once again been signed to the practice squad, where he spent last season.
Rookie Center Tony Adams was unable to make an impression on the Jaguars in the Preseason, and found himself waived yesterday. Jacksonville picked up Adams after going undrafted. I was shocked that Adams wasn’t drafted, and am shocked he was waived. He was the 5th best offensive guard in college football in 2017 according to ProFootballFocus.
Rookie Linebacker Jerod Fernandez who went undrafted this summer, was waived by the Redskins after having an impressive preseason. Many Washington pundits were shocked Fernandez wasn’t named to the Skins practice squad. After his performance in the preseason, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him make another teams practice squad.
Rookie Linebacker Airius Moore was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted this summer, and failed to make the team or the practice squad.
Rookie Jonathan Alston only played one year at Cornerback at NC State, but it was enough for the Dolphins to pick him up after he went undrafted. Miami cut him yesterday.
Matt Dayes got cut as well.