As teams trim down to 85 players, it’s mostly been smaller-name UDFA types getting let go so far. But some relatively well known veterans are also getting the boot, including James Burgess.
The 49ers announced they were cutting the linebacker on Monday. Burgess signed with the team back in May, but the addition over the weekend of fellow inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks made him expendable. A 2016 UDFA from Louisville, Burgess became a nine-game starter for the Browns in 2017.
He eventually latched on with the Jets as a waiver claim, and started 10 games in New York in 2019. Let go again at final cuts in 2020, he spent some time on the Falcons’ practice squad and played in a few games with the Packers. Despite having already been on the roster for nine different NFL teams, Burgess is still only 27.
He’s always managed to resurface quickly in the past, so don’t be surprised if he does again this season.
Just get paid!
Hopefully Bosa/Armstead and Arden Key/Dee Ford/Ebukam are enough on the edge. I was surprised they didn’t keep Dion Jordan(6’6/276) and/or Ziggy Ansah(6’5/275). As both werent extremely successful as high pick No1 edge rushers, I think they’d be great as 2nd/3rd strong guys that’d allow Armstead(6’7/292) to play inside a bit more than edge, as Armstead’s only there bc of his run defense, but he’d be best utilized as a DT alongside Kinlaw. With Bosa(6’4/266)and Ford(6’2/250)/Ebukam(6’2/235)/Dion/Ansah/Key on the other edge, however when you have Kinlaw(6’5-324)/DJ Jones(6’1-319)/Givens(6’1-285)/Hurst(6’1-292)/Kerr(6’1-326)/Street(6’2-280)/Darrien Daniels(6’4/324) all at or near starter level DT’s.
DT is absolutely the position of strength on the defense, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they traded a Givens for a Denzel Mimz or CJ Henderson, or perhaps another team’s roster bubble DE, however I do believe they’re not as easy to come by as WR’s/CB’s, which is why a Street/Givens provides so much value. I think Saleh would love to have one of his former DT’s to anchor his d line, and Mims(who, while not a stellar route runner is still)a 6’3/210 23yo with a 4.38 40 time,
which
is not something currently on the roster(unless you count guys like Austin Watkins[6’3/210-4.50 40 time]
Jalen Hurd[6’4/230-4.64 40 time] or
Juaun Jennings[6’3/212-4.72 40 time] which I wasn’t but I do really like Watkins’ potential and still have love for what a healthy Jalen Hurd can bring to the table in a Shanahan offense as a former RB).
Jordan Willis(6’4/255) will return Week 6, and Alex Barrett(6’3/260) is there, but they’re still a step down from Bosa/Armstead/Ford/Ebukam and I’m hoping Arden Key(6’5/240)makes a leap this year, but I was surprised they didn’t use a pick on a DE(or a CB taller than 5’11-6’0)
This has to be the longest comment I’ve ever seen on here that had no salt in it.