NFL Veterans' Draft Day Jitters: Replacing the Old Guard

The NFL draft on Thursday was a tough night for veterans, with a record-tying six quarterbacks selected in the first dozen picks, and the first defensive player not being taken until the Colts took Laiatu Latu with the 15th pick. Giants' Daniel Jones, Washington's Kirk Cousins, Buffalo's Josh Allen, and San Francisco's Deebo Samuel are just a few of the veterans whose status is uncertain following the draft.

The NFL draft is a time for excitement and hope, but it can also be a nerve-wracking time for veterans. With teams looking to add young talent to their rosters, veterans can find themselves feeling like they're on the chopping block.

That was certainly the case on Thursday night, as teams made a record-tying six quarterback selections in the first dozen picks. The first defensive player wasn't selected until the Colts took Laiatu Latu with the 15th pick.

For veterans, this was a rough night. Guys on both offense and defense were affected, and for some, the uncertainty will continue Friday night.

Take Daniel Jones for example. The New York Giants tried really hard to replace Jones in this draft. They were so set on it that they tried to trade up to the No. 3 overall pick to select Drake Maye.

Ultimately, the Giants weren't able to make the trade, but their actions sent a clear message to Jones: they're not sold on him.

And what do you think the first thing the New York media will say if Jones plays poorly at any point in 2024? The Giants were right to try to replace him with Drake Maye.

Kirk Cousins is another veteran QB who has to be looking around and wondering if he's being replaced.

The Atlanta Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick, a move that could be seen as a sign that the team is looking to move on from Cousins.

Cousins is a great person and a mostly understanding person. He understood when the Vikings didn't give him a contract before last season. But this move by the Falcons could be a sign that their relationship is already in a bad place.

Josh Allen is another veteran who has to be wondering about his future.

The Buffalo Bills traded away a chance to pick up a replacement for Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, and instead helped the Chiefs deliver a new playmaker to Patrick Mahomes.

The Bills can say they'll pluck the top receiver on their board with the No. 33 pick on Friday, but whoever they add will only sign a four-year contract.

Mahomes, on the other hand, gets five years with his new guy.

Finally, we need to look at the San Francisco 49ers receiver corps. Everyone there has to be wondering if they're going to be on the team by the end of this draft.

The 49ers selected Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall with their first-round selection. Why would a team that has Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings under contract pick a wide receiver in the first round?

Because Aiyuk and Jennings are in the final year of their contracts, and Samuel could be traded.

None of these guys knows which, if any of them, will be packing and moving soon. It's like a game of roulette the 49ers are playing with their veterans.

The NFL draft is a time of change and uncertainty, and veterans know that they're always one bad draft away from being replaced.

For the veterans who were watching Thursday night's draft, it was a tough night to be an NFL player.