NFL training camps are now underway, and soon all 32 teams will be in full gear, gearing up for the 2024 regular season. As camps progress at a rapid pace, players will compete intensely for their positions, with some jobs potentially shifting across the league.
In this context, here are 12 veteran players who could be at risk of losing their starting roles in 2024, listed by position (offense first, then defense).
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Heading into camp, true quarterback battles are a rarity across the NFL, with most competitions involving bridge QBs trying to fend off rookies. However, Las Vegas stands out with a genuine duel between two intriguing but imperfect quarterbacks: Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell.
Minshew, a new addition after being signed in the offseason, would be taking over from O'Connell if he becomes the starter. O'Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders as a rookie last season, would find himself displaced. Despite this, Minshew brings more experience to the table. O'Connell, who started 13 games and earned a Pro Bowl nod with the Colts in 2023, would face a significant step down by becoming a backup. Additionally, Vegas has invested in Minshew with a substantial two-year, $25 million contract.
Minshew has a proven track record with 37 NFL starts over five seasons, showcasing a solid foundation as a professional. He tends to keep interceptions low, demonstrates some running ability, and extends plays with his relentless effort. However, his profile aligns more with that of a reliable backup rather than a full-time starter for an entire season.
The Raiders could start Minshew and allow O'Connell to compete for the role throughout the season. Yet, giving O'Connell a chance from the outset seems like a wiser approach. Head coach Antonio Pierce has indicated that O'Connell has earned the opportunity to start based on his performance in 2023. O'Connell particularly impressed during his final six starts of the season, throwing nine touchdowns, committing just one turnover, and reducing the number of sacks he took. If the 2023 fourth-round pick struggles in his second year, the Raiders can always turn to Minshew. However, this is likely O'Connell's best chance to secure the job long-term, and the Raiders need to evaluate his potential before considering upgrades at quarterback for the 2025 offseason.
By the end of last season, Jaylen Warren began to reduce Najee Harris' workload. Warren proved to be more efficient on a per-touch basis, averaging 5.5 yards compared to Harris' 4.2. Despite this, Harris received more carries in every game and has started all 53 games (including playoffs) in his career.
Mike Tomlin has traditionally preferred a bell-cow approach in Pittsburgh, with Harris leading the NFL in touches (381) as a rookie. However, the rise of Warren, who recorded 210 touches in 2023, signals a shift. Warren is the only Pittsburgh player besides Harris to surpass 200 touches in a season since Harris' arrival. The Steelers have declined Harris' fifth-year option, and while he is expected to retain a significant role in 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising if Warren becomes even more involved, potentially even taking over as the starter. Warren offers more as a three-down back compared to Harris, and with new Steelers OC Arthur Smith having previously utilized backs extensively in the passing game during his time in Atlanta, there could be increased opportunities for Warren.
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The 2023 first-round pick started 10 of 17 games as a rookie, including eight of the final nine. Despite an underwhelming first season, the expectation was that he’d have a solid chance to secure a starting role after the Chargers cut Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen. Additionally, new head coach Jim Harbaugh had seen Johnston's talent up close in college, witnessing him catch six passes for 163 yards and a game-winning 76-yard touchdown against Harbaugh’s Wolverines in the 2022 College Football Playoff.
However, reports this summer suggest that Joshua Palmer has taken the lead role for now, with rookie Ladd McConkey likely to be a fixture in the slot and DJ Chark potentially moving ahead of Johnston for the WR3 spot.
The Chargers are expected to focus heavily on the run and utilize multiple tight end formations, which could limit Johnston’s opportunities unless he quickly impresses the new coaching staff or injuries create more openings at the position.
I'm taking a bit of a gamble here, as Williams currently leads the Broncos' RB depth chart and has received praise from Sean Payton for his slimmer physique. However, this scenario still has potential.
Williams is coming off a lackluster season, is just two years removed from a torn ACL, and is in a contract year. Over his last 20 games (17 starts), he has managed only a single run longer than 21 yards out of 327 touches. The Broncos drafted what appears to be his potential successor, Audric Estimé, and also signed promising undrafted rookie Blake Watson. Additionally, Jaleel McLaughlin, who showed exciting potential last season as an undrafted rookie, is expected to see more action.
There are factors that could impact this prediction. Williams is younger (24) and cheaper ($2.8 million cap hit) compared to Samaje Perine (28 years old with a $4.5 million cap hit). If the Broncos decide to keep only one veteran back, Williams might have an edge over Perine. Additionally, Estimé and Watson face health concerns, so their chances of overtaking Williams depend on their readiness for camp. Williams could also become a trade asset for teams like the Cowboys.
This season is shaping up to be crucial for Pierce, who has shown flashes of big-play potential but has yet to establish consistent performance over his first two professional seasons.
Despite playing 95 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps last season, Pierce was targeted just 65 times (3.8 per game) and caught only 32 passes. These figures are underwhelming for any receiver, even more so given the Colts' quarterback situation. While Pierce's blocking and other contributions are valued, the Colts need more production from their starting outside receiver position opposite Michael Pittman Jr.
With Adonai Mitchell joining in Round 2, there’s potential for an immediate impact. Mitchell’s raw talent and dynamism with the ball make him a significant upgrade over Pierce. Although Pierce’s affordable contract and the team’s lack of depth at wide receiver might keep him on the roster, his role as a WR4 (with second-year pro Josh Downs in the slot) is uncertain. Given that he has only four career special-teams snaps, it remains to be seen how he would contribute in a reduced role.
Smith-Schuster’s first season in New England was disappointing, marked by knee issues and a lack of chemistry with the offense. Much of this can be attributed to the Patriots' quarterback and scheme problems in 2023, which caused widespread dysfunction. However, Smith-Schuster also appeared slower and less dynamic than expected for someone who won't turn 28 until late November. Reports from the offseason workouts suggest he hasn’t improved much, highlighting the importance of a strong training camp for him.
With Pop Douglas and Kendrick Bourne (returning from an ACL tear) likely securing two offensive roles, and draft picks Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker expected to make the team and contribute, the competition for remaining spots will be fierce. K.J. Osborn also has a solid chance of making the roster. This leaves Smith-Schuster, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Reagor vying for one available position. Given the Patriots’ offseason changes, a shift toward younger talent at wide receiver wouldn’t be surprising.
Believe it or not, Alie-Cox has been with the Colts since 2018, navigating through three head coaches and 10 different starting quarterbacks. Despite his longevity, he is known for being a streaky performer with some noticeable gaps in his game. Could the Colts finally have enough depth at tight end to move on from him?
Last season, Drew Ogletree and Kylen Granson began to cut into Alie-Cox's starts and playing time, while Will Mallory made enough of an impression down the stretch to warrant increased involvement. The return of Jelani Woods, who showed promise in 2022 but was hindered by hamstring injuries last season, could also shift the tight end dynamic.
In 2023, Alie-Cox didn't exceed 35 snaps in any game, suggesting he may be more of a nominal starter than a key contributor. Although the Colts have kept him high on the depth chart while developing younger options, his $5.9 million salary for 2024 seems excessive for a player who faces significant competition from more affordable, emerging talent.
Two factors play in Conklin's favor as he aims to reclaim his starting spot in Cleveland: The Browns are investing significantly in him due to the substantial extension he signed in late 2022, and Conklin recently declared himself fully recovered from the knee injury that cut his 2023 season short in Week 1.
However, all three potential starting tackles for the Browns are returning from season-ending knee injuries, which complicates the situation. Dawand Jones made a strong impression as a rookie last season after stepping in for Conklin and could retain his spot, especially since the offensive line appeared most cohesive with Jones at right tackle.
The Browns may test whether Conklin can outperform either Jones at right tackle or Jedrick Wills Jr. (who is in a contract year) on the blind side. However, Conklin has primarily played right tackle throughout his NFL career. Both Wills and Conklin will need to come off the PUP list before any decisions are made. Conklin's relatively manageable salary cap hit of $10.6 million this season could also make him a trade candidate if Wills and Jones secure the starting roles.
Davenport has been slated as a starter for the Saints and Vikings over the past few seasons, but injuries have frequently disrupted those plans. He has missed 21 of 51 potential regular-season games in the past three years and has played more than 13 games in only one of his six professional seasons.
The Lions signed Davenport as a potential starter, confident that the 2018 first-round pick could enhance their defensive line if he remains healthy. However, given his history and the fact that he began camp on the PUP list, this optimism feels like a significant risk.
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Aidan Hutchinson is a solid presence on one edge, but the Lions need a strong counterpart on the opposite side. Davenport has the potential to fill that role effectively, but if his health issues persist, other candidates such as Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, James Houston (also an injury concern), and reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Mathieu Betts could step up.
During his tenure with the Ravens, new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald excelled at maximizing defensive flexibility and performance by rotating his players effectively. Under Macdonald, Baltimore recorded 108 sacks over 34 regular-season games, thanks to a collective effort from the defense, even with standout performances like Justin Madubuike’s 13 sacks last season. In 2022, the Ravens had 10 players with two or more sacks, and in 2023, nine players reached that milestone.
Jones had a lackluster debut season in Seattle under the previous coaching staff, tallying only 4.5 sacks while transitioning from an interior role early in 2023 to playing more on the edge later in the season. However, Macdonald has expressed appreciation for Jones’ versatility and plans to cross-train him at multiple positions, including linebacker, within the new defensive scheme.
The challenge for Jones is finding a starting spot. Jarran Reed and Leonard Williams are expected to dominate the interior snaps, with first-round pick Byron Murphy II also set for significant playing time. On the edge, Boye Mafe led the team in sacks last season with nine, while Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor each recorded 9.5 sacks in 2022. Additionally, 2023 second-rounder Derick Hall will be looking to make an impact under the new coaching staff.
While Jones may not secure a starting role, he could still play a crucial part in the defense. His new role might actually enhance his effectiveness and provide more value per snap than the Seahawks saw from him last season.
The Saints entrusted Taylor with the starting nickel position last season, but he faced several challenges, including giving up too much cushion in coverage and missing tackles in space. Although he had some promising moments, it was evident that Taylor struggled with the role.
Assuming Marshon Lattimore and the Saints are in sync, Lattimore will start on the outside, paired with the 2023 breakout Paulson Adebo. Taylor will have the opportunity to retain his nickel spot, but he will face competition from second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry, who is expected to push hard for the role if he earns an early spot.
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In my opinion, Taylor performs better as an outside corner, a position where he showed more promise as a rookie in 2022. While the Saints don't have outstanding depth at cornerback, Taylor could end up as the fourth CB by the start of the season, given the current roster.
Grant, a former second-round pick, has been a letdown, despite securing a starting role over the past two seasons. His biggest issues have been coverage lapses and inconsistent tackling. While Grant has shown some value with his pass-rush ability and play closer to the line, it wasn’t enough to prevent the previous staff from benching him in favor of seventh-round rookie DeMarcco Hellams late last season.
Under the new coaching staff led by Raheem Morris, Grant is expected to compete for the starting spot alongside Jessie Bates III, especially given his substantial salary. However, Hellams, who proved more reliable in coverage and tackling last season and has been praised for his intangibles, will be Grant's primary competition.
Grant’s cap hit of nearly $4 million this season aligns with a starter-caliber figure for a safety. If he doesn't deliver early in Year 4, the new staff is likely to consider making a change.