24 NFL veterans on thin ice after 2024 draft: Kirk Cousins among players feeling pressure
The 2024 NFL draft may be over, but its conclusion only sets up subsequent rounds of roster and depth chart churns – whether they occur in the coming weeks, months or year.
NFL teams love rookies because they’re fresh (usually), cheap (relatively) and pliable (most of the time) – all traits veterans tend not to have in spades. Said another way, a lot of established players will soon be fighting for starting jobs, if not roster spots and paychecks, with the newcomers already inbound.
Here are 24 veterans who should probably considers themselves on notice, in some form or fashion, heading into the 2024 season:
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
It was only a month ago that he was reasonably ruminating about retirement in Georgia after signing a four-year, $180 million free agent contract. Now you wonder if he’s browsing Zillow to get familiarized with real estate prices in Dallas, New York or Seattle.
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Atlanta’s selection of QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick could go down as one of the most shocking draft moves ever – and may already rate there.
"If we see a player that we believe can be a franchise quarterback at any point – whether it’s this draft, next draft, whether it’s a player we can trade for, whatever it is – you have to bring that player in because we’re talking about the next four to five years-plus when we’re talking about guys that we’re drafting," GM Terry Fontenot said.
No wonder Cousins used to insist on fully guaranteed contracts.
It’s fully reasonable that Atlanta would want a higher-end backup than Taylor Heinicke behind Cousins, who will be 36 in August and is coming back from a torn Achilles. But to spend a top-10 pick just weeks after shelling out a $100 million guarantee? To know you were virtually assured of getting Penix if that was your intent but not share that info with Cousins well before you went on the clock?
And let’s play this out further. There’s almost zero doubt that as Falcons players – and certainly local reporters – see Penix’s athleticism and electric arm, both of which will easily outstrip Cousins’ physical tools, that a low-grade QB controversy will already be simmering by training camp, no matter coach Raheem Morris’ assertions to the contrary. And, yes, Cousins will surely start this season, assuming he’s healthy. Nor is there any reason to believe the team is inviting a competition for a player they can’t move without a substantial cap hit before 2026, when Cousins’ guarantees evaporate. But there’s almost no way he’ll ever escape Penix’s shadow – nor will the situation be any more comfortable for the soon-to-be 24-year-old rookie, who won’t want to ride the pine forever no matter how well the veteran QB1 is playing. As for the locker room, only natural it would eventually break into pro-Cousins and pro-Penix factions that could create significant discomfort depending on the circumstances surrounding the team.
Regardless, injuries notwithstanding, almost no scenario Cousins isn’t the starter for Atlanta in 2024. There’s also no dismissing the fact that a clock has started with such a talented, younger player now lurking over his right shoulder, one – no matter what the front office says – who can’t be reasonably be expected to be cuffed to the bench when he’s 26 or 27.
The questions about why Fontenot didn’t allocate his free agency money or top draft asset elsewhere in a bid to get this organization closer to its first Lombardi Trophy can be tackled another time. For now, he’s served up a gold-plated reminder why NFL stands for "Not For Long" in many quarters, including – now – the Cousins’ household … which is hopefully being rented.
Falcons DL Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata
Cousins isn’t the only Atlanta player on a hot seat. Jarrett and Onyemata, both 31, are under contract for two more seasons, each out of guarantees in 2025 – when both are set to earn eight-figure base salaries. Jarrett’s also trying to come back from a torn ACL suffered last October. They’re probably OK for now, but hard to believe one of them won’t be pushed out next year by second-rounder Ruke Orhorhoro.
Carolina Panthers WRs Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson
When you’re the worst team in the league and your rookie QB, drafted No. 1 overall, faceplants … better figure out how to improve the situation around him. The Panthers snuck into the back of the first round to get WR Xavier Legette, who blossomed from special teams ace to bona fide star at South Carolina last season. His steep curve suggests Legette may need time to adapt to a pro playbook. Yet it seems likely, over time, he’ll begin taking touches and snaps from the veterans currently ahead of him – perhaps especially Johnson, who just arrived via trade and doesn’t know Young … and may not for long with his contract set to expire next year.
Carolina Panthers RBs Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard
When you’re the worst team in the league and your rookie QB, drafted No. 1 overall, faceplants … better figure out how to improve the situation around him. The Panthers climbed up in Round 2 to get RB Jonathon Brooks, not a move an NFL team typically makes at that position if they don’t plan to use the player extensively and immediately. Coming off a huge season with the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, Sanders was a major flop last season after signing a four-year, $25.4 million deal in free agency. He was thoroughly outplayed by Hubbard, however his career average of 3.9 yards per carry implies he won’t be extended in 2025. Brooks is only about six months removed from an ACL tear, but expect him to get the panther’s share of the touches when he’s ready – especially given new HC Dave Canales’ avowed commitment to run the ball.
New York Jets OTs Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses
The NYJ brought in the veteran duo – both players are 33 – this offseason after the calamitous showing from last year’s line, notably its failure to protect QB Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 and the season-ending torn Achilles he suffered during a takedown against the Buffalo Bills. Despite their age, Smith and Morgan both remain near the top of their game after strong seasons with the Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens (both division winners in 2023), respectively. However each missed time with injuries last year, and Smith hasn’t lasted a full season since 2015. A slip by or physical setback to either is certain to open the door to first-rounder Olu Fashanu, an All-American for Penn State in 2023 and the Big Ten’s offensive lineman of the year. He exclusively played left tackle for the Nittany Lions and will eventually take over that post for the Jets. But if he gets a crack at it this year, Smith and Moses could find themselves competing to play on the right side in a bid to earn perhaps one more lucrative contract a year from now.
New Orleans Saints OTs Trevor Penning and Ryan Ramczyk
Another pair of vet tackles likely about to see their time as bookends coming to an end. Penning, a first-round pick two years ago, allowed 19 pressures in slightly over 400 snaps in 2023 – for context, roughly the same amount as Smith and Moses, who both played double the snaps last season. Ramczyk, a Round 1 selection in 2017, is a former All-Pro with a massive contract that runs through the 2026 season. He also plays right tackle, the same position as Taliese Fuaga, whom the Saints took with the 14th pick Thursday night. A chronic knee issue has become a threat to Ramczyk’s career, and it remains to be seen if he’ll be ready to play in 2024. Either way, it seems a near certainty Fuaga will displace one of his new teammates, likely heading to left tackle if Ramczyk is able to get onto the field.
San Francisco 49ers WR Jauan Jennings
He was this close to being the MVP of Super Bowl 58. Now he could be quite close to seeing his run in Silicon Valley come to an end. The Niners should continue feeding top WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but their Round 1 choice of Florida WR Ricky Pearsall – and he ought to provide a different dimension to the offense – likely relegates Jennings to a WR4 role with free agency looming next year.
Washington Commanders DTs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne
A very expensive interior couplet is coming off a highly disappointing campaign, when Washington ranked last in total defense, scoring defense, passing defense and was only marginally better against the run. Teammates going back to their days at Alabama, Allen and Payne both average at least $18 million annually yet have only combined to make three Pro Bowls over 13 combined seasons. Now, with 2023 Big Ten defensive player of the year Johnny Newton on the way courtesy of the draft’s 36th overall pick, pretty apparent Allen and Payne will have to fight for the jobs if they don’t want to be broken up. Allen, a longtime team captain, has not been shy about expressing his frustration for the organization’s perennial failings. But he’s historically been a better player than Payne and could be rejuvenated by Newton and/or the club’s new coaching staff and front office ... and might need to be.
Philadelphia Eagles CBs Darius Slay and James Bradberry
They’re both north of 30 and coming off subpar efforts in 2023. Each has a contract that averages at least $12.5 million and runs two more years … but stands to reason at least one of them isn’t going to last that long. That’s because Philly used its first two draft picks on Quinyon Mitchell (22nd overall), arguably this draft’s most talented corner, and Cooper DeJean (40th overall), arguably this draft’s most explosive and versatile defensive back. With DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 26, also returning in free agency, there’s a lot to sort out here – likely to the detriment of the graybeards.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Marquise Brown
Hollywood’s intersection with the Paris of the Plains could be a one-season proposition. Brown signed a $7 million deal in free agency, ostensibly to be the new deep threat for the back-to-back champs … who then traded up Thursday to get Texas WR Xavier Worthy and his 4.2 speed in Round 1. Maybe there’s an opportunity for both to play if Rashee Rice’s legal issues ultimately earn him an early season suspension. Or maybe Worthy has a slow build transitioning to the NFL, especially if his 172-pound frame prevents clean releases. But given Brown appears to be working as a temp and has a career average of 11.6 yards per catch, seems quite possible he could be superseded by midseason.
Miami Dolphins OLB Shaq Barrett
Pass rushers are always at a premium, and Barrett, 31, is set to take in $7 million this season after being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a cost-saving move. But now he could really struggle to earn snaps after the Fins took OLBs Chop Robinson (Round 1) and Mohamed Kamara (Round 5), the latter’s draft status not indicative of his ability to cause havoc (28 sacks and 42½ tackles for loss over the past three seasons). And if starters Bradley Chubb (ACL) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) are ready to return from the injuries that prematurely ended their 2023 seasons, Barrett could quickly find himself the odd man out.
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
He’s got two years left on his contract, yet just $2 million in guarantees. A roster that seems to be in complete transition brought in veteran WR Josh Reynolds, dumped Jerry Jeudy in a trade, while coach Sean Payton bemoaned his own failure to fully integrate Marvin Mims as a rookie. Then Denver drafted QB Bo Nix and his highly productive Oregon teammate, WR Troy Franklin. Sutton, who’s been skipping voluntary offseason activities, appears like he may be skipping out of this equation soon enough, especially if Denver can find a market for him.
Dallas Cowboys G Zack Martin
Great, great player – quite likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s also 33, entering his 11th season and a major component of the salary cap crunch for a team facing a financial reckoning – especially with All-Pro WR CeeDee Lamb and LB Micah Parsons up for new contracts. And then there’s the arrival of highly regarded Kansas State G Cooper Beebe in the third round. That’s not to say Martin is fighting for his job … right now. But he could very well be looking for a new one in 2025 given how the landscape is taking shape around him.
Detroit Lions CB Carlton Davis III
Yes, it’s only been a month since the NFC North champs traded for him to help upgrade their wretched pass defense. But it’s only been a few days since Detroit spent its first two draft picks on CBs Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. And with second-year DB Brian Branch spending most of his time in the slot, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Davis – his contract is up after the season – gets phased out at some point in favor of embedding the youngsters into the defense for the long haul.
Cincinnati Bengals OT Trent Brown
His contract already suggested he was a one-year rental. His injury history suggests he’ll miss time, Brown appearing in more than 11 games just once in the past five seasons. First-rounder Amarius Mims’ relative inexperience could mean he needs time – maybe a full season – to displace Brown as the Bengals’ starting right tackle. Everything else signals the older mammoth being supplanted by the younger one sooner than later.
Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner
He’s about to turn 29. He’s about to reach the end of his third contract. He’s about to start ceding touches to Trey Benson, a promising third-rounder like Conner was once upon a time. In the relatively unfair world of the NFL running back, that all adds up to Conner hoping he can extend his career in 2025 … almost certainly elsewhere.
New England Patriots QB Bailey Zappe
The team’s new director of scouting, Eliot Wolf, was raised by Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf, who believed it was a wise move annually for a club to add a quarterback. Or two. Over the past six weeks, the younger Wolf has signed veteran Jacoby Brissett before drafting North Carolina’s Drake Maye No. 3 overall and later taking Tennessee’s Joe Milton III in Round 6. Take that, dad. Yet that isn't great news for Zappe, the record-setting college passer who started eight games for the Pats over the past two seasons (winning half of them). However he lacks Brissett’s experience, and his physical skills pale in comparison to Maye's and Milton's. It’s exceedingly rare for a team to carry four arms on its active roster, and even three can be a stretch nowadays. Zappe will likely, at minimum, have to beat out Milton – the kind of developmental prospect teams typically love – this summer to have a shot at sticking around.
***Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.