Late roster moves involving 2017 draftees … As has been noted, the NFL doesn’t really sleep even after this team’s establish their original 53-man rosters on cut-down day. In fact, there has been a lot of roster tweaking since with a number of moves involving players selected at the 2017 draft. Buffalo, for example, claimed former UCLA OT Conor McDermott off waivers from division-rival New England. McDermott had been a 6th round pick by the Patriots, but was released on the weekend. Ironically, in acquiring McDermott, Buffalo currently has as many 2017 New England picks on its roster as the Patriots. As noted in a previous report, the Patriots only had 4 picks this year because of earlier trades, but ended up wth only one on the roster after releasing McDermott and placing two others on a reserve list. Meanwhile, Carolina claimed former Miami QB Brad Kaaya, a 6th round pick by Detroit, off waivers after he was released by the Lions. To make room on the roster, though, Carolina released DE Alex Armah, their original 6th rounder this year. At the same time, Carolina also placed CB Corn Elder, their 5th rounder, on injured reserve. Indianapolis released former USC OT Zach Banner, their 4th rounder this past April. Ironically, Banner’s former Trojan linemate Chad Wheeler, who wasn’t drafted at all this year, made the Giants’ roster and is still there. Minnesota released former Virginia Tech TE Bucky Hodges, the Vikings 6th rounder, with an injury settlement. And the LA Rams acquired C/G J.J. Dielman off waivers from Cincinnati; Dielman had been a 5th round pick this year. Update: Cleveland claimed Zach Banner off waivers from the Colts so he’s back in the league along with his old buddy Chad Wheeler.
