This is one outlet's own report from CBS Sports — the article as it was filed.
AIPROPX ReportCBS Sports · 33m ago
One position every NFL team should attack via trades or waiver claims at roster deadline
In a matter of days, NFL teams must trim rosters down to the 53-man active limit carried through the regular season. As teams strategize how many spots to devote to each position group, they will analyze the rosters of other teams and determine if it makes sense for them to make additions via trade or waiver claims.
Last year, there were 21 trades made in August. There were an additional 31 players claimed during the first week of the 2025 waiver system. Players waived as part of final roster cuts are exposed to the waiver wire, which is in order, from worst to best, of last season's win-loss records. If a team believes a player of interest would be claimed prior to its position in the waiver line, then it behooves that team to explore acquiring that player via trade. Just Tuesday, the Giants sent reserve offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu to the Chiefs in exchange for draft compensation.
Earlier this week, I explored the position groups that could be targeted by opposing teams. It is a good starting point in identifying which players may be of interest to your favorite team. The exercise is not necessarily each team's biggest need but rather one bottom-of-the-roster hole each team could still patch ahead of the regular season.
Rookie linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr . and Barrett Carter were thrown in to the fire last season. They really struggled at times, but the hope is that benefits the team long term. Depth behind those two players is a bit muddy. Oren Burks played some snaps for them last season, but that is about the extent of it.
Cornerback had also been a consideration but some of the young players have come along this summer.
The Browns have been exploring the idea of adding another edge rusher even before Alex Wright succumbed to a season-ending injury. They have experimented with defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. playing on the end, but it sounds as though that was born out of necessity rather than strategy. Bringing in another pass rusher would allow Hall to remain on the inside.
Cornerback is another area the team would consider.
Baltimore may be hard-pressed to find six wide receivers to keep on the active 53-man roster and the recent arrest Rashod Bateman only complicates the numbers. The NFL is slow to make any judgments, but that situation is certainly worth monitoring.
A year removed from wondering what Pittsburgh is going to do with Jonnu Smith , Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth , the team now finds itself in a position to add at the position. The latter two tight ends remain on the roster, but depth features Robert Tonyan , Jaheim Bell , Lake Mcree and Lance Mason . The team could bring in help at that position.
Indianapolis' three-wide sets right now would likely feature Alec Pierce , Keenan Allen and Josh Downs . The signing of Allen allows Ashton Dulin to slide back as a key reserve who contributes on special teams, but Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is the only other established receiver on the roster.
Jacksonville was content allowing Devin Lloyd to walk in free agency in favor of Ventrell Miller . The team still has Foyesade Oluokun and Dennis Gardeck , as well as last year's draft pick Jack Kiser .
Defensive line is another area if they are not comfortable with Ruke Orhorhoro .
Houston has a deep, talented roster, so the options did not jump off the page. Linebacker and cornerback were on the short list. A case could be made for either needing another body, but neither is a dire situation.
Tennessee invested heavily in the cornerback room in free agency, but depth remains a concern. If either Alontae Taylor or Cor'Dale Flott go down to injury, the situation gets hairy very quickly.
Trying to find the best nine or 10 offensive linemen is an exercise to make one's stomach churn as well.
Cornerback and linebacker were the two positions that stood out as potentially needing more depth. Special teams viability is incredibly important to those bottom-of-the-roster spots, so an appetite to fulfill that role must be met.
It would not be surprising if the team put in a waiver claim on a tight end either.
Miami's starting offensive line is young, but there are reasons for optimism. The depth is concerning. Most teams are dealing with that problem this time of year.
Wide receiver lacks any proven commodities, but the franchise is likely more inclined to embrace the youth movement and see what they get out of the group.
New York may receive diminished returns from starting linebackers Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood . The depth is not overwhelming either. They sit high in the waiver claim order, which is determined by last season's win-loss records, so may not be compelled to trade for a player. They also do not want to leverage future resources for the present in the event they need to make a move up in the 2027 NFL Draft .
New England has a strong collection of starters with Christian Gonzalez , Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones . An injury could call Kindle Vildor , Charles Woods or fifth-round pick Karon Prunty into action. Head coach Mike Vrabel is regarded as capable of elevating the talent with which he has to work, but may be inclined to explore other possibilities.
Defensive line and linebacker are a few other positions to address.
Seventh-round pick Red Murdock headlines the depth behind starters Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton . The position has been somewhat of an afterthought in Denver for years, so filling that area of the roster has not been a priority.
Similar to the situation with Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman, the NFL may not render any form of punishment to Jonathon Cooper stemming from an arrest in June, but that would be an area of weakness if that were to change.
Los Angeles' rotation is largely set with cornerback or linebacker being the two areas of interest. The Chargers have always been able to squeeze every drop of juice from the orange on defense, but the overall talent falls short in relation to other teams. Lineback...
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