Vulnerable Veterans: Best In The West (AFC/NFC)

Draft day is approaching!  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 fourth and final entry into the Vulnerable Veterans series takes a look at the AFC and NFC West.  Check out the prior three parts where I cover the AFC and NFC North, South and East.  Each team’s picks are as of pre-NFL draft and do not account for any projected trades.

AFC WEST

Vulnerable Veteran | Samaje Perine (Running Back)

Perine earned a 2-year, $7.5M contract after a successful 2022, filling in admirably for Joe Mixon.  2022 included career-highs in fantasy points/game (8.9), receptions (38), receiving yards (287) and total touchdowns (6).  With uncertainty around the health of Javonte Williams, Denver was wise to sign Perine as a backup that is capable of an increased role.

Despite Perine’s payday, Williams is the future of the Bronco’s backfield and look for Denver to draft Perine’s replacement.  There have been a litany of names mocked to the Broncos. However, two that stick out are Devon Achane and Tyjae Spears, with the latter particularly interesting.

Vulnerable Veteran | Marquez Valdes-Scantling(Wide Receiver)

MVS will always find a place on an NFL roster as a tall, field-stretcher.  This makes him an appealing addition in best ball formats depending on cost, but for dynasty there is not much value.  Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore will fill the void, as MVS has a palatable $2M dead cap after 2023.

Mahomes has proven that he can get it done with any supporting cast; thus, the rookies mocked to Kansas City have varied profiles.  The three that would likely be selected within the first three rounds include Zay Flowers, Rashee Rice and A.T. Perry.

Vulnerable Veteran | Austin Hooper & O.J. Howard (Tight End)

I have no words for the current state of the Raiders’ tight end room right now.  And after the 2023 season Las Vegas does not have a single tight end under contract.  This leaves the door as open as Hugh Honey and Vic Vinegar getting rid of deadbeat squatters.

After fielding athletic tight ends in Darren Waller and Foster Moreau, one rookie tight end that comes to mind is Darnell Washington.  With the second-highest athleticism score among his tight end class, Washington’s 6’7”, 254 lb-frame will be a great asset to Jimmy Garappolo.

Vulnerable Veteran | Josh Palmer (Wide Receiver)

The Chargers have a strong trio of wide receivers, with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Josh Palmer.  The former two will be 30 and 29 years old, respectively, at the beginning of the 2023 season.  Further, the dead cap value for Allen ($11.6M) and Williams ($12.4M) after 2023. A steep cost for LA to stomach considering both receivers are still producing at a high level.

Palmer filled in admirably with both veteran receivers sustaining injuries throughout the 2022 season.  While Palmer is in the future plans for the Chargers, look for him to be usurped by the 2023 rookie that has been frequently mocked there, Jordan Addison.  Addison is a versatile receiver who also can play a role in the return game.  While Palmer’s days are not necessarily numbered, look for a rookie such as Addison to overtake the veteran.

NFC WEST

Vulnerable Veteran | James Conner (Running Back)

Conner experienced somewhat of a career revitalization with the Cardinals following a one-year prove-it deal in 2021.  The state of the Cardinals’ 2023 is in flux. The head coach fired, star receiver firmly on the trade block, and franchise quarterback recovering from an ACL tear that occurred in Week 14 of the 2022 season.  Oh and did I mention their new jerseys!?

Entering his age-28 season, Conner has a mere $3M in dead cap after 2023.  For a rebuilding team, this is a good opportunity to bring young, affordable talent into the mix.  Three rookie running backs that have been mocked to the Cardinals include Jahmyr Gibbs, Tank Bigsby and my personal favorite, Israel Abanikanda.

Vulnerable Veteran | Tyler Higbee (Tight End)

Higbee has had a steady career, finishing within the top-15 in points-per-game amongst tight ends in three of the last four years.  But the Rams are beginning a rebuild following a Super Bowl championship only two seasons ago.  With zero dead cap with a post-June-first release in 2024, Higbee looks to be on the outs in LA.

While the Rams do have tight ends behind Higbee in Brycen Hopkins and Hunter Long, look for LA to upgrade the position.  The Rams’ mock drafts are interesting, as the big-three tight ends (Mayer, Kincaid, Washington) are not the ones pegged for LA.  Instead, Iowa’s Sam LaPorta and Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker are two names popping up in Rams’ mock drafts.

Vulnerable Veteran | Jauan Jennings (Wide Receiver)

The two leading receivers in San Fran are Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.  The only difference between the two is one has already been paid and the other is going to be paid.  Unless the 49ers make an abrupt pivot from Samuel or Aiyuk, look for the 49ers to find a new number three receiver in the 2023 draft.

Despite my sustained belief in former SMU weapon Danny Gray, there is one wide receiver in the 2023 rookie class that feels like the most 49ers player ever.  That player is Nathaniel “Tank” Dell.

Vulnerable Veteran | Tyler Lockett (Wide Receiver)

The Seahawks were a surprisingly productive offense in 2022, led by an even more surprising resurgence from the ten-season journeyman Geno Smith.  With an extension for Smith, providing depth at the wide receiver position will be crucial to Seattle’s continued success.  The odd man out that could be replaced as soon as 2024 is veteran Tyler Lockett, who has a dead cap of $14.1M after 2023.

While they have two different profiles, two rookies mocked to the Seahawks include Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston.  Either one of these rookies stand to learn a great deal from Lockett and running-mate D.K. Metcalf.

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, South and East.  Best of luck on your rookie drafts!

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