Draft moves put veterans on notice
It’s probably fair to say most coaches would try to convince you the NFL is a meritocracy – and in some of the league’s cities (Baltimore, Foxborough, Seattle among others) that tends to hold true.
But this is professional football, and financial considerations are usually part of the equation when teams are so often trying to get younger players who can do the same job as a veteran who gets paid more.
Monday was a perfect example, left tackle Charles Leno Jr., a Pro Bowler in 2018, tweeting that the Chicago Bears are releasing him even though he’s started 93 games in a row. The move, which will be designated to take effect after June 1, will save $9 million against this year’s salary cap.
Life in the NFL often isn’t fair, and, with the 2021 draft now complete, other veterans will share Leno’s fate sooner or later. Here are 21 who are officially on notice moving forward:
San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo: His countdown clock began running in March, when the Niners traded up for the draft’s No. 3 pick. Thursday, it was finally revealed that Trey Lance will be Jimmy G’s eventual replacement – though the question becomes ... when? Garoppolo quickly reached out to Lance, so it seems their relationship is off to a good start. Now it’s up to Garoppolo, who’s under contract for two more years, to hold off the rookie for as long as possible.
Denver Broncos RB Melvin Gordon: It’s only been a few weeks since he expressed to a local TV station that “I get overlooked a lot and I am kind of sick of it.” Welp. Fan favorite Phillip Lindsay is gone, but second-rounder Javonte Williams may become the anointed one after new general manager George Paton traded up for him.
Dallas Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch: He looked like a long-term defensive staple as a first-round rookie in 2018. But he’s missed 13 games over the past two seasons. The writing now appears on the wall given Dallas drafted LBs Micah Parsons (Round 1) and promising Jabril Cox (Round 4) as potential wingmen for Jaylon Smith.
New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard: He’s consistent – but that means about 60 catches and 700 yards per year. When you’re making $10 million a season, that doesn’t seem like much – especially for a team that signed free agent Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million contract, picked Kadarius Toney in the first round and has a more explosive option, Darius Slayton, on a rookie deal for another two years.
New York Jets WR Jamison Crowder: Another Big Apple slot receiver who suddenly seems expendable given the second-round pick just invested in Elijah Moore.
Jets RB Tevin Coleman: Coleman isn’t a workhorse or particularly durable, and the Jets might quickly decide they’re best served by youth and it wouldn’t be a shock if fourth-rounder Michael Carter leads the way.
Atlanta Falcons TE Hayden Hurst: A first-rounder of the Ravens in 2018, he was traded to the Falcons last year and now seems likely to be leaving Atlanta in 2022. With TE Kyle Pitts coming to town as the No. 4 overall pick and nary a buck of salary cap space, it’s little surprise Hurst’s fifth-year option was declined.
Cincinnati Bengals K Austin Seibert: One kicker was selected in the 2021 draft ... and that would be Cincy’s Evan McPherson in Round 5. Good luck with that, Austin.
Tennessee Titans LB Rashaan Evans: Evans could still earn an extension before reaching free agency. Yet he could soon find himself competing with thirdrounder Monty Rice.
49ers RBs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson: Both are entering a contract year and each had injury issues in 2020 as the Niners ground game sputtered to a No. 15 ranking after pacing the NFC during their 2019 Super Bowl season. Thirdround RB Trey Sermon must prove he can handle a bell cow role.
Chicago Bears QBs Andy Dalton and Nick Foles: Dalton signed a one-year deal in March and was publicly assured QB1 status from GM Ryan Pace. That was before Chicago traded up for Ohio State star Justin Fields in the draft and gave him jersey No. 1.
Arizona Cardinals WRs Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella: Kirk was a second-rounder in 2018 and Isabella was a second-rounder in 2019 ... neither has been exceptionally productive, particularly Isabella. Enter another Round 2 receiver, Rondale Moore, to add to the logjam behind veterans DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green.
Jacksonville Jaguars OTs Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor: Over the the past two seasons, they’ve formed a durable – if underwhelming – tackle tandem. But Walker Little wasn’t drafted in the second round to ride the pine forever. With Robinson on a $13.75 million franchise tag in 2021, there’s a decent chance he could be playing his final year in Duval County.
Jaguars RB James Robinson: Undrafted in 2020, he had a remarkable rookie year – 1,070 rushing yards, 49 catches, 10 TDs in 14 games – for a really bad team after beating out Leonard
Fournette in training camp. But since then, new coach Urban Meyer has signed former Ohio Star star Carlos Hyde, then drafted Travis Etienne in the first round.
Denver Broncos C Lloyd Cushenberry III: Last year’s third-round pick almost certainly isn’t in danger of losing his roster spot. But after starting all 16 games as a rookie and winding up – by far – as Pro Football Focus’ 36th-ranked center out of 36 qualifiers ... well, there’s a reason Paton snatched Division III demigod Quinn Meinerz in Round 3 this year.
Los Angeles Rams WR DeSean Jackson: He projected as the No. 4 receiver behind Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Van Jefferson ... and that was before LA drafted Tutu Atwell in the second round.
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton: Wouldn’t it make sense for the Pats to trade him to the Bears for Dalton? Because designing an offense for Newton with first-round pocket QB Mac Jones waiting in the wings makes about as much sense as bringing multidimensional Fields in behind pocket-bound Dalton. The point being, everyone knew Newton’s second contract in New England was for only a year with $3.5 million guaranteed. But if it fast becomes apparent that Jones is jibing better with the slew of free agents also joining this offense, what’s the point of trying to force things with Newton?