NFL teams finalized their initial 53-man rosters Sunday, but the word "initial" is important. Between now and Week 1, teams will be making tweaks to their teams via waiver claims, free agent adds, injury designations and maybe even a trade or two more. After all, we saw 15(!) trades on Sunday alone.
With teams finally, fully turning their attention to Week 1, we can do the same -- but not before we name the biggest winners and losers from the past month of training camp and preseason action. What more is there to say? After the Rams added one of the best defensive players of all time (Myles Garrett) and two cornerbacks (Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson) to address their biggest need, Aaron Donald officially un-retired on a one-year deal.
Donald is now 35, but if he is even 70% of his peak self, he's still a star. Los Angeles can work him in slowly if they need to. A pass rush with Garrett, Donald, Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and others is nightmare fuel for opponents.
Furthermore, unlike last year, Matthew Stafford has seemingly no back concerns entering the year. And if he should miss time, both Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett flashed in preseason action. The Ravens are another Super Bowl contender feeling good.
There were positive developments on both sides of the ball, with Ja'Kobi Lane emerging as a training camp star and impressing in the preseason as well. On defense, the best news is Nnamdi Madubuike, who has worked his way back from a career-threatening neck injury to be in line to play early this season. He hasn't practiced fully yet, but Baltimore not placing him on IR shows he's trending in the right direction.
Players have lauded new coach Jesse Minter, Trey Hendrickson has impressed, and even undrafted quarterback Joe Fagnano made the 53-man roster. If he can be an eventual QB2, Baltimore has unearthed another gem. Who says you can't go home?
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