The business of the NFL is about to strike in full force.

During the preseason, teams can carry 91 players on the roster. However, that number must dwindle to 53 in time for the regular season.

In case you're working on some mental math, we've saved you the time: Depending on exactly how many players are on every roster, of course, more than 1,200 players could be cut during these stressful days leading to the opener in September.

That reality can make a piece of this nature feel insensitive. Even after a few hundred players are kept on the practice squad, a potential livelihood is being removed from so many people.

But, again, that's the business of the NFL. It's part of the deal.

A player's projected role, depth available at the position and financial considerations were considered.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Deion Jones, LB

Because of injuries, there's a chance Deion Jones sticks in Buffalo for a bit. At this point, however, hope of Jones reclaiming his early career form is more wishful than anything. Joe Andreessen's recent emergence may have shifted Jones to the wrong side of the roster bubble.

Miami Dolphins: Jeff Wilson Jr., RB

Two teams, two injury asterisks. Chris Brooks had staked a real claim to a reserve spot in Miami, further jeopardizing the possibility of Jeff Wilson Jr. remaining on the team. If Brooks is sidelined for weeks (concussion), Wilson may stay. But if Brooks is healthy and Miami has to keep Wilson or, for example, a corner like Nik Needham, the Fins should prioritize a defender over yet another running back.

New England Patriots: Bailey Zappe, QB

If a trade can be worked out, that would be preferred. However, a suitor must be pretty desperate to jump the line for Bailey Zappe when he'll probably be cut anyway. New England needs to shed one quarterback from its roster, and neither Drake Maye nor Jacoby Brissett is leaving. This is a debate between Zappe and sixth-round pick Joe Milton III, and the latter probably gets the nod as a rookie.

New York Jets: Israel Abanikanda, RB

A fifth-round pick in 2023, Israel Abanikanda arrived as an interesting, physical backup for the Jets. He managed just 22 carries as a rookie and is moving in the wrong direction on the depth chart, though. First-year players Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis appear to have leaped Abanikanda, who logged only six plays on special teams last year, too.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Russell Gage, WR

Good news or bad news? Baltimore doesn't have a very recognizable name on the bubble, save for a few veteran wideouts who were recently signed as long shots anyway. Could mean shaky depth elsewhere, but probably is good news overall. Tylan Wallace's value on special teams protects his spot ahead of Russell Gage, who notched 426 receiving yards with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year.

Cincinnati Bengals: Tanner Hudson, TE

As with so many players here, the obstacle is the numbers game. Mike Gesicki is the starting tight end, Drew Sample is the backup and Cincinnati drafted both Erick All Jr. and Tanner McLachlan. Tanner Hudson may be the most expendable player of the group.

Cleveland Browns: Tyler Huntley, QB

In an ideal situation, the Browns find a trade for Tyler Huntley. He has legitimate value as a backup QB and will undoubtedly catch on somewhere, if available. The issue is Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston are locks, Dorian Thompson-Robinson remains an intriguing talent and Cleveland won't roster four QBs. Huntley or DTR will be gone.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Quez Watkins, WR

Quez Watkins had a mini-breakout season in 2021, tallying 647 receiving yards with the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, he mustered 496 over the last two years combined. Watkins might hang around if the Steelers keep six wideouts, yet he'd need to outlast Dez Fitzpatrick for that job, too.

AFC South

Houston Texans: Noah Brown, WR

The talent in the Texans' receiving corps is a good problem, but it's a problem nonetheless. They simply can't keep everyone. Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell aren't going anywhere, but there are rational arguments to release Noah Brown, John Metchie III or Robert Woods—particularly if you believe Xavier Hutchinson has earned a spot. Metchie's upside and Woods' veteran presence could persuade Houston to move on from Brown.

Indianapolis Colts: Will Mallory, TE

Mo Alie-Cox seemed vulnerable to a deadline cut because of his salary. However, the Colts are probably not moving him—or Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree and Jelani Woods. Holding five tight ends on the 53-man roster seems unnecessary, so Will Mallory has a tough outlook.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Luke Fortner, C

Rarely does a player go from an every-game starter to an expendable backup in a single offseason, but Luke Fortner is dangerously close to that. Jacksonville signed Mitch Morse to take over at center, and Fortner has struggled again this preseason.

Tennessee Titans: Malik Willis, QB

Just cut the cord. I'd still take a gamble on Malik Willis' potential, but Tennessee doesn't need to spend a roster spot on him. The team is clearly committed to Will Levis with Mason Rudolph as the obvious backup.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: Samaje Perine, RB

As the franchise embraces a teardown, an expensive reserve in the backfield is unnecessary. Denver can save $3 million by releasing Samaje Perine and stick to Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookies Audric Estime and Blake Watson at the position.

Kansas City Chiefs: Kadarius Toney, WR

Truly, it feels like piling on. After several costly mistakes last season, Kadarius Toney headed into the offseason with an uncertain future. And then, the Chiefs signed Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy. Even as KC might put seven receivers on its opening roster again, Toney is probably the eighth wideout on the depth chart.

Las Vegas Raiders: Nathan Peterman, QB

Considering the Raiders have few notable cut candidates, let's talk Nathan Peterman. Las Vegas should release him as a procedural move to open a roster spot in case an intriguing waiver possibility pops up. Peterman can be stashed on the practice squad, not an active roster.

Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Spiller, RB

Easton Stick's future will be cloudy if Cleveland moves on from Huntley, who previously played for now-LA offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Hypothetical aside, the Chargers likely will release a running back. Isaiah Spiller, a fourth-round pick in 2022, looks to be falling behind Kimani Vidal and Jaret Patterson as the last two backs.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Israel Mukuamu, S

A sixth-round pick in 2021, Israel Mukuamu has played 33 games in his three seasons with the Cowboys. However, most of that action has been on special teams; Mukuamu only logged 75 defensive snaps last year. He's worth stashing on the practice squad, if possible, but is probably no higher than fifth in the safety pecking order.

New York Giants: Allen Robinson II, WR

The question is the role. If the Giants believe a fifth wideout is necessary after Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt, they may prioritize Allen Robinson II. If they're comfortable in a four-man rotation, the special teams factor does Robinson no favors when compared to Miles Boykin, Isaiah McKenzie or Gunner Olszewski.

Philadelphia Eagles: Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., TE

The Eagles have an oversupply of tight ends behind Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. cost Philadelphia a sixth-round pick prior to last year, but undrafted free agent E.J. Jenkins has made a convincing case for a roster spot in the preseason.

Washington Commanders: Jeff Driskel, QB

Thanks to the emergency third QB rule, Washington doesn't need to hold a third active quarterback. We know Jayden Daniels is the starter, and we know Marcus Mariota is the backup. There's no competition to settle. Whether the Commanders want Jeff Driskel, Sam Hartman or Trace McSorley on the practice squad is a bigger conversation than stashing a third QB on the active roster.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: Brett Rypien, QB

Same story as Washington; Chicago can lean on two active players at the position. Caleb Williams is the obvious starter, but Tyson Bagent has a firm grasp on the backup job. No competition here, either. As a result, it's most sensible for the Bears to have Austin Reed on the practice squad as that emergency game-day option instead of blocking a roster spot with Brett Rypien.

Detroit Lions: Kayode Awosika, OG

In the last two seasons, Kayode Awosika has primarily held a backup role and filled in with a handful of starts. The position is a little more crowded since the Lions signed Kevin Zeitler and drafted Christian Mahogany, though. Dan Skipper's versatility may nudge out Awosika.

Green Bay Packers: Andre Dillard, OT

The kicking competition between Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph is a bigger storyline, sure. Green Bay's depth on the offensive line is taking shape, though. Second-year blocker Kadeem Telfort and rookie Travis Glover may have done enough to overtake Andre Dillard, who is searching for a stable year after a frustrating 2023 with Tennessee.

Minnesota Vikings: Duke Shelley, CB

Minnesota brought back an old friend in Duke Shelley, but the reunion may be ending soon. He probably needed to outlast Fabian Moreau or rookie Dwight McGlothern, and it doesn't look promising for Shelley.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: DeAngelo Malone, Edge

In the aftermath of Bralen Trice's knee injury, it appeared DeAngelo Malone would be safe. However, the Falcons soon traded for Matthew Judon and ultimately nudged Malone back to the fringe. He played a ton on special teams in 2023 but logged only two defensive snaps.

Carolina Panthers: Cade Mays, OG

One of the biggest spenders in free agency, Carolina added high-priced guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis earlier this offseason. Exciting as that may be overall, it means the Panthers have to make sacrifices down the roster. Cade Mays logged 435 offensive snaps last season, but he probably won't stick around unless Carolina wants a backup guard with flexibility to play center.

New Orleans Saints: D'Marco Jackson, LB

D'Marco Jackson has faced a dilemma all summer: New Orleans signed Willie Gay, drafted Jaylan Ford and lost no major contributor at linebacker. Without a surge, Jackson would be a cut candidate. Entering the final preseason game, nothing has changed.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sterling Shepard, WR

Once a steady receiver for the Giants, Sterling Shepard is fast approaching the twilight of his career. Tampa Bay simply has too many young options to develop over Shepard, whose injury history is problematic with a best-case scenario that seems replaceable.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: Elijah Wilkinson, OT

At this stage of the Cardinals' rebuild, it's reasonable to defer to youth on the back end of the roster. Elijah Wilkinson has struggled with his opportunities in 2023 and during the 2024 preseason. Arizona's backup tackles should be Kelvin Beachum and fifth-round rookie Christian Jones.

Los Angeles Rams: Ochaun Mathis, Edge

Edge-rushing depth is a good thing, but Los Angeles has some flexibility up front within its roster locks. Ochaun Mathis, who appeared in eight games as a rookie, is seemingly well behind at the position.

San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Latu, TE

Selected in the third round of the 2023 draft, Cameron Latu hasn't made a big impact in his brief time on the Niners. He didn't have a regular-season appearance last year and looks to be trailing Eric Saubert and Brayden Willis in the competition to back up George Kittle.

Seattle Seahawks: Dee Eskridge, WR

Dee Eskridge opened the offseason on the bubble and hasn't changed that perception, really. Compounding the issue is the emergence of veteran Laviska Shenault Jr., who can contribute as a runner, receiver and returner in a complementary role.