Unlucky No. 7: Seven former Hawkeyes fall victim to NFL roster cuts

NFL cut day is one of the hardest days during the offseason for coaches and players. For over 1,000 players, that means they are searching for work, and potentially never making it back to the NFL.

During the offseason, NFL teams can carry up to 90 players and have to trim it to 53 by 3:00 p.m. Central Time.

Six former Iowa football players are out of work after the deadline passed.

Sebastian Castro, defensive back (Pittsburgh Steelers)

After an extremely productive career with the Hawkeyes, former safety Sebastian Castro was one of the players Pittsburgh chose to cut ahead of the 3:00 p.m. deadline.

Castro was a anchor in the Iowa secondary, racking up 163 total tackles (113 solo, 50 assisted), 14 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, four interceptions, and two sacks.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Castro signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was a long shot to make their roster as a free agent signing.

Castro is now on waivers and can be claimed by all 32 NFL teams. If he goes unclaimed, the Steelers can sign him to their practice squad with a chance to make the roster in the future.

Luke Elkin, long snapper (Chicago Bears)

Say it isn't so, Chicago! The Bears showed no love for the long snapper, cutting Luke Elkin as part of their roster trim to 53 players.

During his four seasons with the Hawkeyes, Elkin was primarily a special teams player, and became the starting long snapper.

Brad Biggs, the Chicago Bears beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, reported that Elkin was part of the roster cut.

As a rookie, Elkin will now go on waivers with the chance to sign with all 32 NFL organizations. If he makes it through waivers, he can be signed to the Bears' practice squad.

Luke Lachey, tight end (Houston Texans)

In a blow to "Tight End U," former tight end Luke Lachey has been cut by the Houston Texans. Lachey was a seventh-round pick of the Texans during the 2025 NFL Draft and was a long shot to make the final 53-man roster.

Lachey showed flashes of his abilities at Iowa, but suffered from a myriad of injuries and inconsistent quarterback play.

During his five-year career with the Hawkeyes, Lachey tallied 893 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 42 games (24 starts).

Lachey played well during the preseason, but not well enough to secure a spot on the intial 53-man roster. If he clears waivers, the Texans want to add him to the practice squad.

Nick Niemann, linebacker (Houston)

The second former Hawkeye to be released by the Texans was linebacker Nick Niemann. Niemann spent the first four years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Niemann played in 64 total games for the Chargers, accumulating 87 total tackles (49 solo, 38 assisted) and one interception.

Niemann signed with the Texans during the offseason, but will not hit the free agent market after being waived by the organization.

Niemann will be paid $4 million by the Texans, even without playing a snap. His deal was fully guaranteed and as an unrestricted free agent, can negotiate a contract with any team, or return to the Texans on a new deal.

Brandon Smith, wide receiver (New York Jets)

In a shocking roster move, wide receiver Brandon Smith was cut by the New York Jets. Smith had a stellar preseason, and it is a genuine shock that he was not added to the 53-man roster.

During the preseason, Smith tallied 110 receiving yards on 10 receptions, showing what he can do in the right system.

Smith was a great story during the NFL preseason, leading the Jets' receiving group following a stint with the DC Defenders in the UFL.

Smith does not have the minimum NFL experience to become an unrestricted free agent (four years), so he is headed to waivers. If no other team claims him, the Jets want to sign him to the practice squad.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette, wide receiver (New York Giants)

Veteran receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette was waived by the New York Giants. Smith-Marsette, a former Iowa standout, was a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2021 NFL Draft.

After spending one season with the Vikings, ISM joined the Bears (2022), and the Panthers (2023) before joining the Giants for last season. He did not get any snaps on offense, but did have a kick return for a touchdown.

Following a short tenure with the Giants, Smith-Marsette was waived.

Smith-Marsette is now an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team, or return to the Giants on a new deal.

Steven Stilianos, tight end (Detroit Lions)

Former Iowa tight end Steven Stilianos had a fascinating journey back to the NFL after being waived by the Tennessee Titans before last season.

Stilianos was a member of the UFL's San Antonio Brahmas during the 2025 season and impress Lions' scouts enough to earn a chance to make the squad.

Stilianos' return to the NFL was short-lived after being waived by the Lions during cut day.

Stilianos has the chance to rejoin the Lions if he passes through waivers. If he does make it through, the Lions can sign him to their practice squad.

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