How about a seven guy list of players that once they see regular season action or get signed by another team are no longer available for the practice squad. Players on this squad retain there original contract(until changed of course) and also get the same practice benefits other rostered, but not played players get.
Maybe pointless but it would actually be less work for me in the long run. When signing and cutting UDRFAs that are fringe players the cutting part would be easier. I would build my roster to 60 in preseason and keep it there until changed by player desire.
Other RL positives might be the trading of these younger guys that still need years of developing. As the cap tightens under the salary demands moves like this can keep young talents contracts relatively low until they have proven they can hold down a position on some team. Or in a fringe bust i could eat his salary in a trade to recoup some value up until week 8 where right now he have to be moved 8 weeks earlier. Alot can happen in 8 weeks.
Still, this is reserved for at potenially best B grade players or depth so the importance is low in general, but think it would be more real and fun. Cause right now i can put a note on a player and hope i see that asterisk in FA or i am playing against him. Cool but not even close. This might be a little closer, and cooler if you could just go to Practice Squad players and see some of the young talent that is being coveted by teams throughout the league and try to out bid drafting gurus before they trade that equity.