The 2023 NFL Draft is set to begin Thursday, April 27th @ 8PM EST. For some NFL veterans, this is the moment when their respective teams draft rookies who could very well replace them by the beginning of the next season (2024). In this four-part series, I will cover one non-quarterback, fantasy player on each team that is vulnerable to being replaced by a 2023 rookie by the start of the 2024 season.
The third entry into the Vulnerable Veterans series takes a look at the AFC and NFC East. Check out the first and second parts where I cover the AFC and NFC North and South. Each team’s picks are as of pre-NFL draft and do not account for any projected trades.
AFC EAST
Vulnerable Veteran | Gabriel Davis (Wide Receiver)
The Gabe Davis playoff game is known as a 50+ point fantasy performance that leads to unsustainable fantasy expectations. The fourth-round selection out of Central Florida is a strong deep threat that is the epitome of boom-bust. A free agent after the 2023 season, look for Davis to be replaced with rumors of DeAndre Hopkins wanting to join and a rookie receiver in the near future.
Notable 2023 rookie receivers that have been mocked to Buffalo include: Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison, Marvin Mims and Jalin Hyatt. All of these receivers are not a one-for-one replacement for Davis, but do have either the speed or versatility to be a good fit.
Vulnerable Veteran | Jeff Wilson & Raheem Mostert (Running Back)
The law firm of Wilson & Mostert served the Dolphins well, with both running backs finishing top-30 in 2022. The pair combine for a palatable ~$1.4M in dead cap if released post June 1st. Since the Dolphins’ offense mirrors that of San Francisco, the running back position is very much interchangeable.
The most exciting pick would of course be the de-facto 1.01 in rookie drafts, Bijan Robinson. However, other scheme fits include Devon Achane and Kenny McIntosh.
Vulnerable Veteran | DeVante Parker & Kendrick Bourne (Wide Receiver)
Parker and Bourne combine for ~1.4M in dead cap if released in 2023. With Parker the more likely cap casualty considering he has zero dead cap and minimal production. Behind the pair is minimal depth, with free agent signee Juju Smith-Schuster and 2022 draftee Tyquan Thornton as the remaining notable names.
The Patriots have not had the best luck at drafting impactful receivers, with the last notable pass-catcher drafted was Julian Edelman in the seventh round (2009). That should not stop the from finding a new weapon for Mac Jones or whoever is the future at quarterback. Industry mocks have hinted at more premium picks like Jaxon Smith-Njibga, Jordan Addison and Zay Flowers. With later picks including Rashee Rice and Cedric Tillman.
Vulnerable Veteran | Corey Davis (Wide Receiver)
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Corey Davis leveraged a strong 2020 season with the Titans into a 3-year, $37.5M contract with the Jets. While Davis has not been afforded the best of quarterbacks, he will be a free agent following the 2023 season. If the Jets really want to get froggy, they could cut him prior and only be left with $667K in dead cap. With rising star Garrett Wilson and Aaron Rodgers confidant Allen Lazard on the roster, Davis is expendable.
Rookies that have been mocked to the Jets include Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashee Rice and Jonathan Mingo. If Aaron Rodgers is indeed a Jet by Week 1 of the 2023 season, he will greatly appreciate yet another pass-catching weapon.
NFC EAST
Vulnerable Veteran | Anyone Not Named Tony Pollard (Running Back)
As of the writing of this article, Ezekiel Elliott is a free agent and could very well return to the Cowboys on a one-year deal. Regardless, Tony Pollard has been franchise tagged for 2023 and will be 27 years old entering the 2024 season. Under the assumption that Pollard is retained beyond 2023, he cannot do it by himself.
The sexy name is of course Bijan Robinson. Additional names that fill, at least, the early-down back role include: Zach Charbonnet, Tank Bigsby and Zach Evans. Pollard needs a running-mate so look for one of the aforementioned names in the Cowboys’ backfield for 2023.
Vulnerable Veteran | Parris Campbell & Darius Slayton (Wide Receiver)
I have confidence that Isaiah Hodgins is a mainstay in the New York Giants’ wide receiver group. However, mercenary Parris Campbell and Darius Slayton are less secure in holding down a roster spot by the time 2024 rolls around. Campbell is a free agent after 2023 and Slayton can be released with a post-June 1st designation with zero dead cap.
Speaking of no cap, the Giants will be taking a wide receiver early in 2023. Mock drafts indicate it could be one of: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison and Jalin Hyatt.
Vulnerable Veteran | Rashaad Penny & Kenneth Gainwell (Running Back)
The current 1-2 punch out of the Philadelphia backfield is Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell. And yes, Boston Scott will get his obligatory snaps against the New York Giants. While Penny and Gainwell are serviceable, the Eagles need another weapon out of the backfield.
The Eagles have had a few big-name rookie running backs mocked to them: Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Zach Charbonnet. Each of these three backs has their strengths and would immediately fit into the Philadelphia backfield.
Vulnerable Veteran | Logan Thomas (Tight End)
It pains me to consider a fellow Virginia Tech alumnus as a Vulnerable Veteran, but Logan Thomas fits the bill. Despite receiving a 3-year ~$24M contract, Thomas played in 20 of the 36 games in 2021 and 2022. With former Tarheel Sam Howell anticipated to start, he will need more weapons after the Commanders finished last in what was a surprisingly competitive NFC East.
Early-round replacements for Thomas include Dalton Kincaid and Darnell Washington. If the Commanders plans to prioritize other positions first, later picks include Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft.
2023 NFL DRAFT
Mark your calendars, if you haven’t already, for April 27th @ 8PM EST to see which veterans could be out of a job by the start of the 2024 season. Check out the prior articles on the AFC and NFC North and South and look for the former best to be replaced in the AFC and NFC West for the final installment.
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