As NFL teams trimmed down their rosters to the final 53 for the 2019 regular season, there were bound to be some notable and surprise names among the cuts.
From Friday and Saturday's deadline moves, here's who stood out among those who got waived or released:
Surprise NFL cuts
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills
The Bills had a crowd in the backfield with fellow venerable veteran Frank Gore, rookie Devin Singletary and former Jaguars backup T.J. Yeldon. It made sense in the end to part ways with the one back that saves them $6.425 million against the cap, especially with Gore looking good.
Keelan Doss, WR, Raiders
Doss was dominating every episode of "Hard Knocks" as a feel-good undrafted rookie from their own backyard in Alameda, Calif. Oakland should have kept him over Ryan Grant, but it's clear Jon Gruden kept a veteran lean beyond rookie fifth-rounder Hunter Renfrow. Doss may not make through waivers unclaimed, however.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Patriots
His work in the last preseason game was all for naught as New England couldn't fit him in its deep receiving corps. He has a chance to return, like all ex-Pats.
Jachai Polite, EDGE, Jets
What a meteoric fall for the former promising prospect from Florida. Polite fell to the third round of the '18 draft because of character concerns and struggled to do anything good with the pass-rush starved Jets to even stick for a rookie season.
Brian Hoyer, QB, Patriots
New England was comfortable enough with impressive rookie Jarrett Stidham to once again part ways with Tom Brady's once and again long-time backup.
DeShone Kizer, QB, Packers
The Browns' 2017 second-rounder lost his chance to stick as Aaron Rodgers' backup vs. Tim Boyle.
Jordan Matthews, WR, 49ers
The former off-and-on Eagles big slot wasn't good enough to make it in their crowd at the position, even with Trent Taylor hurting.
Kevin Hogan, QB, Broncos
Denver has rookie second-rounder Drew Lock set to miss time with a thumb injury on his right (throwing) hand, but it will be looking for a more suitable veteran behind Joe Flacco.
Brandon Marshall, ILB, Raiders
Marshall tried to extend his career with the Broncos' rivals, but post knee injury and about to turn 30 in September, the Raiders couldn't ignore his diminishing skills. Versatile Kyle Wilber was much better to carry, so Oakland made the right, but tough decision on the veteran.
Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins
The team tried desperately to deal the disappointing 2016 first-rounder but had no takers. There was nothing special about his sporadic production. Rookies Terry McLaurin and Kelvin Harmon and '17 sixth-rounder Robert Davis made Doctson expendable on a reshuffled receiving corps for new quarterbacks Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins.
Josh Adams, RB, Eagles
The undrafted free agent from Notre Dame led Philadelphia in rushing as a rookie last season, but along with Donnel Pumphrey and Wendell Smallwood, he was squeezed out by the team trading for Jordan Howad, drafting Miles Sanders and bringing back Darren Sproles.
Orlando Scandrick, CB, Eagles
The former solid nickel back in Dallas tried to latch on to help rival Philadelphia after a year in Kansas City, but the numbers game with healthier, more trusted bodies there than last season was not in his favor. The team had to make sure to keep injured Cre'Von LeBlanc.
Shane Ray, OLB, Ravens
The Broncos' first-rounder from 2015 was hoping to provide some depth on a team that lost Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith, but he failed to show any reason to keep him in the edge pass-rush rotation.
Datone Jones, DT, Jaguars
The Packers' first-rounder from 2013 is looking at his career ending after not latching on with one of five teams since 2017.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Vikings
Minnesota gave up on the 2016 first-rounder, who failed to stand out behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs in a younger crowd.
MIchael Floyd, WR, Ravens
The Cardinals' first-rounder from 2012 couldn't lean on his experience to make a team with young outside starters.
Terrelle Pryor, WR, Jaguars
There was a longshot thought he could crack this receiving corps to continue his career as a converted QB, but he did nothing in a crowd behind Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley and D.J. Chark.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Seahawks
The Broncos' first-rounder of the 2016 NFL draft tried his best to land as Russell Wilson's backup, but lost to former Jets second-rounder Geno Smith. Lynch did not give the Seahawks a dead cap hit, and the team saved $645,000 in cap space.
Kayvon Webster, CB, Satnts
The former integral starter with the Broncos was trying to shake off injuries to find a role in this secondary, but they just had too much there.
Su'a Cravens, S, Broncos
The Redskins' second-rounder from 2016 continues to have the same problems in trying to stick on a roster: He's a linebacker-like misfit for the position.
Teez Tabor, CB, Lions
Tabor quickly flamed out as expected when looking like a risky second-round pick from the get-go in 2017. Detroit is much stronger at corner than it was then witth the additions of Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin.
Giorgio Tavecchio and Blair Walsh, Ks, Falcons
Atlanta went back to 44-year-old Matt Bryant to clean up this mess.
Jaron Brown, WR, Seahawks
Seattle is going very thin at wideout behind Tyler Lockett, so it better hope rookie D.K. Metcalf (knee) is ready to play in Week 1.
Jamar Taylor, CB, Seahawks
The team also didn't it needed Taylor for secondary depth, a milder surprise.
Captain Munnerlyn, CB, Bills
The former Panthers nickel back standout couldn't extend his career with the AFC version of his most notable former team.
Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Panthers
The Panthers drafted Jordan Scarlett to help better back up Christian McCaffrey and CAP's cut might help undrafed rookie Elijah Holyfield also make the team.
Luke Willson, TE, Raiders
Willson was signed as free agent because of his well-roundedness, but the team made the right choice in going with Darren Waller, rookie Foster Moreau and Derek Carrier in front of him, who all carry higher upside in the passing game.
DeShawn Shead, CB/S, Seahawks
Seattle gave up on the one-time flashing defensive back who was brought back by Pete Carroll and John Schneider for a second shot after fading with Detroit last season.
Elijah McGuire, RB, Jets
McGuire once had a shot at the starting gig but that changed in the Adam Gase and Le'Veon Bell era. Former Packer and Raven Ty Montgomery will serve as Bell's primary backup.
Logan Paulsen, TE, Falcons
He had been their run-blocking replacement to Levine Toilolo last season but his limitations and age (32) didn't allow him to stick again.
Braxton Berrios, WR, Patriots
The Patriots had too many extra, more seasoned options at wideout to keep the once promising slot pass-catcher .