Bama Central

NFL Cutdown Day: Alex Leatherwood released; Kenyan Drake Likely Joining Ravens

NFL cutdown day arrived with a former Alabama player being released by the Raiders, and a former Raider set to join the Ravens.

Christopher Walsh

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The Las Vegas Raiders have decided to move on from former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood after just one season.

Las Vegas, which hired a new general manager and head coach during the offseason, waived the 2021 first-round pick on Tuesday, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per a source.

However, Leatherwood isn't expected to be a free agent for long. 

All NFL teams had to get down to the 53-man roster by Tuesday afternoon. They can subsequently sign players to practice squads. 

Bills Release O.J. Howard

The Buffalo Bills made a surprise cut when they let go former Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-round pick signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract in Buffalo during the offseason.

He'll keep the $3.195 million that's guaranteed. 

Howard had three receptions on four targets in 78 preseason snaps.

Kenyan Drake Update

Unless something surprising happens, former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake will sign with the Ravens.

Drake was told by the Raiders that they would be releasing him on Aug. 22.

Drake was to start the second year of a two-year, $11 million contract with the Raiders, after signing as a free agent. 

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Baltimore Ravens will be hosting Drake on a free-agent visit on Tuesday. The expectation was the Ravens would sign him if “all goes well.”

Other Moves:

  • The Eagles announced their 53-man roster, which included undrafted cornerback Josh Jobe.
  • The Browns released tight end Miller Forristall.
  • The Panthers cut guard Deonte Brown.
  • The Patriots released defensive tackle LaBryan Ray.
  • The Jets cut center Ross Pierschbacher.
  • The Lions let defensive back Saivion Smith go. 
  • The Colts kept defensive back Tony Brown on their 53-man roster.
  • Running back Brian Robinson Jr. remained active on the Washington Commanders roster despite getting shot multiple times in a botched carjacking this week. 

This story will be updated as more moves are announced.

Bama in the NFL Database

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Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL: Breakdown by Team
Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL by Position
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL By Team
Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players Selected in the NFL Draft
All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players Drafted by Round
NFL Draft: All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Selections by NFL Teams
Alabama Crimson Tide Players Selected in the NFL Draft by Position

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Christopher Walsh
CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.