The 5 most interesting players released on NFL cut down day, from Chris Rodriguez to Caleb Jones

The NFL's 53-man roster deadline has come and gone, leading to the release of more than 1,000 NFL hopefuls over the last week. But that doesn't mean depth charts are set in stone.

That rapid influx of waived players and potential free agents sets up a secondary market for needy teams. Some will be claimed at the first possible moment, preventing other teams from finding them a spot on their practice squad. Others may linger, either trying to find the right fit to fulfill their NFL dreams or waiting for another team to come along. And a significant amount will slide through, untouched, to their team's 17-man practice squad.

Let's talk about that first group -- the opening wave of signings that have, per Texans Cap, ranged between 16 and 37 waiver claimants over the last five seasons.

Rather than rehash all the high(ish) profile veterans who've been cut, let's look at some young players who could be priority pickups for teams in search of help in 2024 and beyond. These are the five guys cut Tuesday who could be sneaky good additions for new teams.

1. OT Caleb Jones, formerly of the Green Bay Packers

Jones is massive, even in terms of NFL offensive tackles. At 6-foot-9 and 370 pounds, he's a behemoth on the edge, though that height does create space for edge rushers to get underneath him and create leverage. He's also still very raw; in two seasons as a Packer he played exactly zero offensive snaps (and three on special teams).

Get him into space and he's a wrecking ball; a mean glacier of finishes. But he's also slow and very much a work in progress when it comes to pass blocking. Green Bay would love it if he slipped through to the practice squad, but a team in need of a tackle project could come calling and work him into the lineup.

2. EDGE KJ Henry, formerly of the Washington Commanders

Henry wasn't much of a pass rusher in 2023, but he was also a fifth round rookie eventually elevated to a prominent role because his front office sold off as many parts as it could before the trade deadline. That, paired with a solid preseason, put him in line for at least a rotational spot under new head coach Dan Quinn.

But, twist! Henry was one of Tuesday's more surprising releases, gone from the active roster after a single season. He still has room to grow as a player. If he lands someplace stable, he could develop into a starter this fall.

3. WR Terrace Marshall Jr., formerly of the Carolina Panthers

Look, Marshall had three seasons to turn into something more than "disappointing second round pick." Instead he recorded 64 catches for 729 yards in 36 games.

So, not great.

But Marshall has useful size at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He has 4.40-second 40 speed, or at least he did in 2021 at LSU. And he's pretty useful when it comes to running slants.

So yes, maybe Marshall's calling is as what Carlton Davis derisively assumed Michael Thomas was years ago. But it's possible years of dysfunction in Carolina have squandered his gifts and he can be a useful possession receiver for a team that needs live bodies to prop up its passing game. Oh hey, did I accidentally just describe the Pittsburgh Steelers?

4. EDGE Nelson Ceaser, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks

Ceaser wasn't valued at this year's NFL Draft; he wasn't even selected despite a 9.5-sack performance in his final season at the University of Houston. But the 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker can play inside or out despite a lack of top end speed, using his wide frame and hyperactive presence on the field to bear down on ball carriers.

Maybe that power/bull rush won't translate on Sundays. But Ceaser is a relentless presence who has done nothing but improve in his football career. He's worth a shot somewhere -- even if that means toiling on Seattle's practice squad in hopes of developing under head coach Mike Macdonald.

5. RB Chris Rodriguez, formerly of the Washington Commanders

Well huh, now it feels like Dan Quinn is deliberately trying to get rid of Ron Rivera's young guys. Rodriguez was a sixth round pick in 2023 who averaged better than 4.8 yards per carry as a rookie. His 2.4 yards after contact per carry would have ranked in the top five among all qualified runners if he'd toted the ball enough to make the list.

Rodriguez is powerful and explosive, using a beefy, compact frame to finish through traffic. He doesn't offer much in the passing game, but his efficient run game should be enough to find him a home elsewhere if Quinn decides he's truly done with Rivera's leftovers.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: The 5 most interesting players released on NFL cut down day, from Chris Rodriguez to Caleb Jones