For talented college prospects, the 2023 NFL Draft represents the beginning of their journey as professional football players. But some current NFL veterans might not be looking forward to next week’s three-day event.
This year’s draft picks, especially those selected in the first round, will enter the NFL intent on claiming someone else’s job. While most of the veterans on our list aren’t in danger of being outright released based on who their team adds in the draft, many players could lose a starting role or see decreased usage, which could inhibit their contractual asking prices down the line.
Which NFL veterans have the most to be worried about as the 2023 NFL Draft approaches?
10 NFL Players Who Could Be Impacted by the 2023 NFL Draft
Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
While teams like the Seahawks or Lions could draft a quarterback in the top 10, any rookie that Seattle or Detroit adds is unlikely to push Geno Smith or Jared Goff out of a starting job in 2023. But if the Patriots select a signal-caller next week, Mac Jones could be either traded or sent to the bench.
New England holds the 14th overall pick. Unless one of the draft’s top four quarterbacks falls into the teens, the Patriots would likely need to either trade up or be comfortable with Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker.
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Given that Bill Belichick has a history of trading down instead of up in drafts, it’s unclear if New England would be willing to sacrifice draft assets to move in range for a QB.
Belichick has repeatedly declined to name Jones as the Patriots’ 2023 starter, and there seems to be a rift between the head coach and quarterback. If New England can maneuver its way into finding a first-round QB, Jones could be on the move to one of the teams that fail to land a passer in this year’s draft.
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard is free! That’s the thinking in Dallas after the Cowboys released Ezekiel Elliott earlier this offseason, clearing the way for Pollard — who posted 1,378 total yards while leading the league in yards after contact per attempt — to become the club’s bell-cow back.
Thus far, the Cowboys have only added Ronald Jones to their backfield, but they could be a candidate to draft another running back as early as the first round. Bijan Robinson, considered a top-10 pick on talent alone, could slide to Dallas’ pick at No. 26, given the devaluation of the running back position.
Even if the Cowboys can’t land Robinson and target a mid-round back, any reduction in Pollard’s potential touches could affect his eventual payday. Pollard is earning $10.1 million under the terms of the franchise tag, but he could be in line for a significant contract next offseason if he spends a full year as Dallas’ RB1.
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon is in a precarious position. After a down 2022 campaign, he’s facing refiled aggravated menacing charges, while the Bengals are expected to ask him to accept a pay cut. Cincinnati could consider a running back as early as the first round, but Day 2 seems more likely. If the Bengals add an RB that can immediately contribute, Mixon will likely be on the outs.
Elsewhere on the roster, new Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. signed a one-year contract to become the club’s latest veteran option at the position, but he has to be worried that Cincinnati will take a TE like Dalton Kincaid or Michael Mayer at No. 28. Meanwhile, if the Bengals draft a first-round right tackle, Jonah Williams could be traded while La’El Collins could be cut.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As the 2022 season progressed, Rachaad White began to receive larger snap shares at the expense of veteran Leonard Fournette. Now that the Buccaneers have released Fournette, White could be set up to take over as the club’s full-time starter — unless Tampa Bay used another early- or mid-round selection on a back.
White never looked overly elusive as a runner and averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt. Some of that poor production can be blamed on the Buccaneers’ offensive line issues, but Tampa Bay may want to add more of a grinder to handle early downs while White takes care of passing work after posting 50 receptions in his rookie season.
K.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings
With Adam Thielen gone, K.J. Osborn is poised to take over as the Vikings’ No. 2 wide receiver next season. Osborn has been productive in a limited sample size over the past two seasons, posting more than 650 yards and at least five touchdowns in 2021 and 2022.
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Minnesota might be willing to give Osborn the WR2 job, but the team also may want to add competition in the receiver room, especially given that Jalen Nailor, Jalen Reagor, and Brandon Powell are the next-best options on the Vikings’ depth chart. With pass catchers like Jordan Addison and Quentin Johnston regularly mocked to Minnesota, Osborn is likely hoping the Vikings wait until at least Day 2 to draft a receiver.
Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Commanders
Logan Thomas signed a three-year extension with the Commanders heading into the 2021 season, but injury issues have prevented him from reliving his 72-670-6 line from 2020. After missing the majority of the 2021 campaign with a torn ACL, Thomas was slowed by a back problem last year and managed only 323 receiving yards.
Washington can easily move on from Thomas as early as this year, a move that would become more likely if they use a first-round pick on a tight end. The No. 16 pick might be a tad early for a TE prospect, especially given the depth of this year’s class. But if the Commanders want to add another receiving option to give Sam Howell the best chance as a starter, a prospect like Kincaid or Mayer could be in the cards.
Mekhi Becton, OT, New York Jets
The Jets are one of the most offensive-tackle-needy teams in the NFL. While Duane Brown is set to return at left tackle, he’ll be 38 years old by the time next season begins and missed five games with injury in 2022.
At pick No. 13, New York should be in a prime position to land one of the draft’s best tackle prospects. Even if Paris Johnson Jr. and Broderick Jones come off the board early, Gang Green could still target options like Darnell Wright or Anton Harrison, or even Peter Skoronski if they’re comfortable playing him at tackle.
If the Jets select a tackle, it could mean the end of Mekhi Becton’s run in New York. Becton has appeared in just one game since 2021, with injuries repeatedly forcing him to the sidelines. The Jets are unlikely to exercise his fifth-year option, and the addition of a first-round tackle could lead to a Becton trade.
Dan Moore Jr., OT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Like the Jets, the Steelers at No. 17 are in a good place to land an offensive tackle in the upcoming draft. At least one of the draft’s top tackles should still be available when Pittsburgh is on the clock.
The Steelers have done a solid job rebuilding their interior through free agency by signing James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo over the last two offseasons. But they still need help at left tackle, where former fourth-round pick Dan Moore Jr. has struggled as a full-time starter over the past two seasons. Moore is a fine swing tackle and spot-starter, but a prospect like Johnson or Jones would usurp him.
Emmanuel Moseley, CB, Detroit Lions
From Emmanuel Moseley’s perspective, the Lions’ trade of Jeff Okudah both giveth and taketh away. While Moseley, who signed a one-year deal as he rehabs from a torn ACL, is currently a locked-in starter, the Okudah trade might make Detroit even more likely to draft a cornerback at No. 6.
MORE: What Options Could the Lions Be Considering at No. 6 Overall?
The Lions will have plenty of options with the choice they received from the Rams in the Matthew Stafford trade. They could draft a quarterback of the future to eventually supplant Jared Goff or add another piece to their front seven.
But a cornerback is also on the table, given Detroit’s recent pass defense woes. If the Lions draft a CB like Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon in the top 10, Moseley could become a strict nickel package player or be sent to the bench if Detroit plans to play fellow free agent signee C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the slot.
Brandon Stephens, CB, Baltimore Ravens
While the Ravens are set with Marlon Humphrey at one cornerback spot, they’re losing 736 defensive snaps from Marcus Peters, who remains on the open market. If the season started today, former third-round pick Brandon Stephens — who played mostly safety in 2021 before filling in for Peters last season — would be Baltimore’s CB2.
If the Ravens don’t feel comfortable with Stephens in the starting lineup, they should be able to grab a first-round cornerback at pick No. 22. While Gonzalez and Witherspoon will likely be long gone by then, at least a few of Joey Porter Jr., Deonte Banks, Emmanuel Forbes, or Kelee Ringo should still be available.