USA TODAY International Edition
NFL veterans put on notice by draft
For rookies, the NFL draft represents the arrival of new opportunities and possibilities. For the league’s veterans, an incoming wave of younger, cheaper competition typically signals change in a less desirable form.
With this year’s draft complete, several teams already are facing questions of whether their marquee picks will supplant their established starters — and how soon that shift might occur. Of course, with the offseason program interrupted by restrictions stemming from the novel coronavirus pandemic, there might be a longer learning curve than typical for young players learning the ins and outs of the league. But at some point, many of the incumbent figures will have to face the specter of their eventual replacements.
These are the NFL veterans who were put on notice by their teams’ draft moves this year.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: If we are to believe Brian Gutekunst, not even the Packers GM himself sees how Green Bay’s line of succession at quarterback might play out after the stunning move to trade up to pick Utah State’s Jordan Love at No. 26. But as hard as it is to envision Rodgers’ remarkable run coming to an end in the near future, it would be similarly counterintuitive for the Packers to repeat the Favre replacement plan by allowing a first- round passer to sit on the bench for two to three years. Having signed a $ 134 million extension that runs through 2023, Rodgers can’t be dispatched in a cost- effective manner for at least another two years, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how Green Bay would handle an eventual transition. One thing that is clear: The two- time MVP long seemed destined to exert significant control as to how his final years would play out, but such a scenario is now far from a given.
Eagles’ entire receiving corps: GM Howie Roseman maintained before the draft that he didn’t see his pass- catching crew as due for an overhaul, but he made his real feelings known once he was on the clock. In addition to firstrounder Jalen Reagor, the Eagles also scooped up Boise State’s John Hightower and Southern Miss’ Quez Watkins while acquiring Marquise Goodwin from the 49ers in a trade. All four targets are known for stretching defenses deep with their speed, giving Philadelphia more firepower should someone be called to fill in for DeSean Jackson in either the near or long term. The strongest message, however, was sent to Alshon Jeffery and J. J. Arcega- Whiteside, who won’t have much room for error next season if Carson Wentz and the passing offense endure more troublesome stretches.
Colts RB Marlon Mack: A lucrative second contract remains elusive for all but an elite few ball carriers in the NFL. After rushing for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns the last two seasons for Indianapolis, Mack is essentially an afterthought in light of second- round running back Jonathan Taylor’s arrival. Given that neither player is particularly strong as a receiver, it will be hard for the two to work in concert with one another, which likely leaves Mack as the odd man out entering the final year of his deal.
Lions RB Kerryon Johnson: It was quite telling that embattled GM Bob Quinn, facing a mandate to field a playoff contender next season, used a second- round pick on Georgia running back D’Andre Swift. Johnson has shown promise in bursts, but the 2018 secondround pick has missed 14 games in his first two NFL seasons with injuries to both of his knees. Quinn said the two backs would complement each other, but Swift is the more dynamic option and seems poised for more opportunities, even if coach Matt Patricia continues his trend of enlisting a committee approach.
Saints G Larry Warford: There’s a logjam on the interior line in New Orleans following the selection of Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz in the first round. Second- year veteran Erik McCoy looks stable at center, and left guard Andrus Peat signed a five- year, $ 57.5 million extension in March. That shifts the focus to Warford, who Sean Payton said would “have to compete.” The Saints could save $ 7.75 million by parting with Warford, though they could opt to have him play out the final year of his contract before turning the starting gig over to Ruiz, who is only 20.
Vikings OT Riley Reiff: GM Rick Spielman’s post- draft remark that Reiff would “hold down the fort” at left tackle this season was hardly a ringing endorsement of the incumbent starter. Second- round pick Ezra Cleveland is clearly next in line at the position, though it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to take over. Reiff ’ s best- case scenario in Minnesota is showing enough to stick around for a possible late- career transition to guard. If not, he’ll be on the chopping block in 2021, when the team can save $ 11.75 million with his release.
Seahawks LB K. J. Wright: The surprising selection of Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks immediately prompted questions about what the future holds for Wright, who, alongside Bobby Wagner, remains one of the Seahawks defense’s few remaining ties to the Legion of Boom years. Having already earned a $ 1 million roster bonus in February, the longtime starter’s spot shouldn’t be in jeopardy in 2020. But even with its heavy use of a three- linebacker base defense, Seattle likely is looking ahead to another potential split from a noted veteran in Wright, whose contract expires after this season.
Giants OT Nate Solder: Leading into the draft, GM Dave Gettleman said Solder had a “rough year” and declined to name the nine- year veteran his starter at left tackle. The arrival of Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick, only complicates that outlook. Thomas is clearly the franchise’s future along the line, so it would be more sensible to play him on the left side from the get- go rather than shift him later on. No matter where he ends up, Solder likely is facing one last ride with Big Blue before becoming a cap casualty next year, when the team can save $ 14 million with his release.
Titans OT Dennis Kelly: After resigning on a three- year, $ 21 million this offseason, Kelly appeared poised to take over for Jack Conklin at right tackle. Now the starting role is up for grabs again, with GM Jon Robinson saying Kelly and first- round pick Isaiah Wilson will compete for the spot. Wilson isn’t as polished as the eight- year veteran is, and the Georgia product might eventually move inside to guard. For now, there’s a significant obstacle for Kelly on what had looked like a clear path to the first string.
Chargers LB Denzel Perryman: As a two- down linebacker, Perryman already was on somewhat shaky ground after restructuring his contract in March. Los Angeles’ decision to trade up for Kenneth Murray in the first round represented the latest move in re- shuffling the position group, with the likes of Drue Tranquill, Nick Vigil, Uchenna Nwosu and Kyzir White all added within the last two years. Even if Perryman isn’t cut, it’s hard to see a meaningful place for a run- stuffing specialist in a division defined this offseason by teams ramping up their passing attacks.
Chiefs RB Damien Williams: Having established himself as one of the heroes of Kansas City’s Super Bowl triumph, Williams won’t be forgotten in this offense merely due to the addition of new talent. Yet picking up all- purpose back Clyde Edwards- Helaire in the first round undoubtedly will alter the complexion of the backfield, with the 5- 7, 207- pound LSU standout a good bet to take on a heavy workload in the passing game. Expect more of a time- share dynamic that coach Andy Reid frequently utilized earlier in his career rather than the featured billing some expected Williams to receive in the final year of his deal.