It is hard to believe, but the final week of the NFL preseason begins on Thursday night, and then it'll be cutdown day for everyone to the 53-man roster. When it comes to some former Virginia Tech players, they are safely on their team's roster and will sit out of action this weekend.
As for others, this will be the final opportunity they get to impress their team and avoid being cut and landing on the practice squad or looking for a new opportunity elsewhere. Two players who have made a strong case to make their rosters are both projected by ESPN to make the 53-man roster when it comes to cut down to 53 players.
Two former Virginia Tech player predicted to crack 53-man rosters
Last season was a tough one as a rookie defensive lineman, Aeneas Peebles, after being picked in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Under former coach John Harbaugh, Peebles, who came to Virginia Tech through the Transfer Portal from Duke, played only 71 snaps across six games. It felt like the former Hokies pass rusher was undervalued despite being drafted and having a good camp.
After a preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, first-year head coach Jesse Minter praised Peebles, who got pressure in the backfield during his time. Jamison Hensley of ESPN predicted the Ravens' 53-man roster for the upcoming season, and he had Peebles as one of five defensive linemen making it.
Baltimore will play their final preseason game at home on Friday night at 6 against the Washington Commanders.
Last season, former Hokies linebacker Kenota Jenkins went undrafted and ended up signing with the Buffalo Bills. He was elevated for three games and played 23 snaps for the Bills on defense and 27 on special teams. This summer he has had a good camp in Western New York and is making the case to stick around when the roster is cut down this summer.
Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN released her Bills mock 53-man roster and had Jenkins making the roster as one of four linebackers. In a 31-7 win over the Cleveland Browns last weekend, Jenkins made five tackles, tied for the team high with Damar Hamlin. The week before against the Carolina Panthers, he had a pair of tackles. He certainly is making his case this summer to stick.
Buffalo closes out their preseason schedule on Thursday night at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers before they open the season on Sept. 13 in Houston against the Texans.
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