Cutdown day is one of the hardest events to cover. When NFL teams cut the rosters from 90 to the mandatory 53 by 4 p.m. on Saturday, it means the foreclosure of a dream for 37 men and everyone supporting them behind the scenes.

The next day after can be even crueler. Just when a player thinks he’s made the 53-man roster, the team can claim another player waived by another team and the relief of making it turns into an unwanted job search.

Here are 12 players who are on the roster bubble with other teams who could be in that second wave of the cutdown process, the players signed by the Detroit Lions after the initial 53-man rosters are set.

Pharoh Cooper, WR, Arizona Cardinals

He appears to be the odd man out in the Cardinals deep rotation of young wideouts. A fourth-round pick from South Carolina in 2016 by the Rams, Cooper hasn’t done much as a receiver with just 25 receptions in three years across two NFC West teams. But Cooper was an All-Pro return specialist in 2017 when he led the NFL in kickoff return average and was second in punt return average. He does have some ability to play in the slot and blocks well on offense.

Maurice Canady, CB, Baltimore Ravens

A sixth-round pick out of Virginia in 2016, Canady has struggled to stay healthy in his three seasons in Baltimore. He has played well when given an opportunity, notably in run support and blitzing off the corner. Canady has length (he’s a legit 6-2), closing burst and experience on special teams. He fits the style of CB coach Matt Patricia seems to favor — long and active in short coverage but not real fast.

Ryan Nall, RB Chicago Bears

There isn’t much of a need at RB in Detroit, but Nall is the kind of powerful runner for which the team could make an exception. The 232-pounder from Oregon State been a preseason standout each of the last two years, capable of doing things like this:

As a plus, he can provide intel on Matt Nagy’s offense for the division rival Bears. That sort of chicanery goes on less than you might think in the NFL, but there’s nothing wrong with doing so, either…

Mason Schreck, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Schreck is a player the Lions scouted heavily coming out of Buffalo, where he blossomed as a senior playmaker with Tyree Jackson as his QB. He’s been injured for most of his two seasons in Cincinnati, a team that seems to chronically have problems keeping tight ends healthy. If the Bengals cut Schreck, he’s worthy of a tire kick as a do-it-all TE with sticky hands and a mean streak as an inline blocker.

Jaelen Strong, WR, Cleveland Browns

This one is different because Strong is already on the market. A former third-round flameout with the Texans, Strong has fought back valiantly and with a new attitude. He got caught in a numbers game in Cleveland, but he can help the Lions. In fact, I believe Strong would instantly be WR No. 4 and a very similar talent to replace the injured Jermaine Kearse.

Daniel Wise, DT, Dallas Cowboys

Wise has made a positive impression as an undrafted rookie out of Kansas, but not enough of one to dislodge a veteran from a talented Cowboys line. He’s an upfield attack dog with impressive college productivity that has translated to the NFL. Ideally, he’s a practice squad stash while he gains some needed bulk, but Wise sure looks like someone who will be playing on Sundays for several years.

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DB, Houston Texans

Boddy-Calhoun is a personal favorite and more wishful thinking on my part than a realistic concept. I grew quite fond of the hybrid cornerback/safety during his college days at Minnesota and later with the Browns. It has not gone well for him in Houston, where he signed this offseason. His wildly inconsistent play and lack of one true position (best fit: slot CB) leave him on the NFL bubble, but he’s had several NFL games where he was a very effective starter, too.

Nick Dzubnar, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

The versatile, athletic Dzubnar can play all the off-ball LB spots in Matt Patricia’s “multiple” defense. But where he’s really stood out is special teams: no NFL player has more stops on coverage units than Dzubnar over the last two combined seasons. He’s played well on the strong side this preseason, too.

Stefen Wisniewski, IOL, Philadelphia Eagles

Wisniewski would be the best veteran linemen on the market if the Eagles do indeed cut him. He’s started at least six games in each of the last three years, including Philly’s Super Bowl run in 2017. Wisniewski is 30 and has consistently struggled as a run blocker throughout his career, but he can play guard or center and is an asset in pass protection.

Greg Ward, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have another player likely to be cut who should intrigue the Lions in Ward. The former Houston Cougars QB is still transitioning to his new position as a slot receiver. He got more experience in the AAF and that has helped Ward in his route running and blocking, both of which have looked solid in the preseason. The Lions don’t currently have a young, developmental-type slot receiver and Ward would be a good find.

Lano Hill, DB, Seattle Seahawks

Michigan Wolverines fans remember him as Delano Hill (he formally changed his name after leaving school), and the Detroit native would be a welcome addition with his hometown Lions. He’s played 28 games in two seasons in Seattle and even earned a starting spot last year before a hip injury sidelined him. The Seahawks are overhauling the secondary and Hill appears to be a likely casualty. His coverage skills are better than his tackling.

Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins

Doctson was a first-round pick out of TCU in 2016, and his intriguing blend of length, acceleration and ability to make ridiculously tough catches made him a popular choice, too. It has not worked out for a variety of reasons, including injuries and poor chemistry with Washington’s ever-rotating QB cast. Doctson is a salvage project, albeit one with a high ceiling at a position of dire need in Detroit.

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