10 NFL veterans at risk of being cut

There will be a mass exodus of players over the next week as NFL clubs trim down to a 53-man roster. Teams must reduce their personnel to 85 players by Tuesday before finalizing their squad Aug. 31. Past credentials don't matter in a cutthroat business such as the NFL, leaving numerous proven players at risk of receiving a pink slip.

Here are 10 veterans who could be cut:

Ryan Griffin, QB, Buccaneers

Griffin has called Tampa Bay home since 2015. However, he may soon be in search of a new club.

A victim of the numbers game, the 31-year-old likely would've continued to serve in his longtime role as the Buccaneers' third-string passer had they not drafted Florida quarterback Kyle Trask in the second round. With a young prospect waiting in the wings behind Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert, there isn't any room or need to carry four passers on the roster.

Devonta Freeman, RB, Saints

Freeman is evidently long past his prime, but the Saints opted to take a flier on him this offseason despite already featuring Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. Now, it looks like Freeman's stay in New Orleans will be a brief one.

The 29-year-old's preseason performance has only continued his downward slide. Six carries for six yards in Game 1 just isn't going to cut it. Plus, running back Tony Jones Jr. has looked mighty, rushing for 82 yards on seven attempts last week. It may only be a matter of time before the Saints push Freeman off the roster.

Sony Michel, RB, Patriots

Calling Michel a veteran might be stretching it a bit, but he's got more than enough seasoning after three years in the league. And since being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft, he hasn't given the Patriots a good return on their investment.

Now entering Year 4, Michel finds himself surrounded by other talented running backs. Damien Harris seems to be the leading candidate for the top job after stepping up while Michel was injured last season. James White has his role as a pass-catching back, while Brandon Bolden and the recently drafted Rhamondre Stevenson fill out the position. As a result, Michel feels like the odd man out.

Devin Funchess, WR, Packers

The Packers' receiver room got a boost when the team brought back Randall Cobb. But when one player enters, it typically means another gets pushed down. In this case, that unfortunate spot likely belongs to Funchess.

Funchess, who opted out last season due to COVID-19, is fighting for the sixth receiver spot on the depth chart. However, the 27-year-old doesn't have much working in his favor. He's played in just one game since 2019 and doesn't have much special teams experience, which is usually a requirement for players fighting at the back end of the roster.

Nick Mullens, QB, Eagles

If the Eagles were hoping Mullens could serve as the team's third-string quarterback, they probably don't feel that confident anymore after watching him this preseason.

Here are Mullens' stats thus far: 6-for-15 throwing, 31 passing yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions.

It's debatable what's worse: having half as many picks as completions, or throwing interceptions on 20% of your pass attempts. Either way, the Eagles probably need to look elsewhere for quarterback depth.

Jordan Hicks, LB, Cardinals

It's out of the ordinary to see a linebacker record over 100 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in consecutive years but not be in contention for a starting gig. Yet, that's the exact position Hicks finds himself in with the Cardinals.

Arizona informed Hicks that his chances to continue starting were slim to none after the team took linebackers in the first round of each of the last two drafts, leading to a trade request. Hicks, 29, still believes he can start, and his track record backs that up. Perhaps a trade can yet be orchestrated. Or, the Cardinals could release the veteran, giving him the opportunity to handpick his next destination.

Taven Bryan, DT, Jaguars

Bryan has gone from hearing his name called in the first round to fighting to make the team in just over three years.

After only managing 3.5 sacks since entering the league, it hasn't been the training camp that Bryan or the Jaguars had hoped for. The defensive lineman landed on the non-football injury list to open camp, only to also be placed on the COVID-19 list shortly after. He was activated just over a week ago, but time is running out. Bryan has his work cut out for him if he wants to stick in Jacksonville.

Bobby Hart, OT, Bills

Let's just say Hart's stay in Buffalo has been talked about for all the wrong reasons since he signed with the Bills this offseason.

The veteran tackle has 66 career starts under his belt, but it'd be hard to tell by watching him this preseason. He's earned the ire of Bills Mafia for his lackluster play, even in the swing tackle role he was presumably signed to fill.

Andy Isabella, WR, Cardinals

Timing has been Isabella's biggest enemy this offseason, and it may cost him an opportunity to make the team. The wideout missed Friday's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs after landing on the COVID-19 list for the second time this camp.

Each passing day increases the odds that Isabella won't end up on the Cardinals' final roster. He was already falling out of favor to end last season, as he was inactive for three of Arizona's last four games. Now, with his continued absence, plus the top four receiver spots already etched in stone, Isabella looks like a long shot to make the club.

Dakota Dozier, OG, Vikings

Dozier, 30, remains on the fringes of the Vikings' roster after struggling to secure a starting role. Although 2021 third-round pick Wyatt Davis hasn't challenged Dozier yet, Oli Udoh has jumped the veteran for the starting right guard position.

The preseason shaped up to be a crucial evaluation for Dozier, but so far he's failed to deliver a quality performance. He finished with a PFF grade of 20.9 against the Denver Broncos after his holding call resulted in a safety. With more promising options available, Minnesota would be better suited to explore other avenues rather than rely on the inconsistent Dozier.