OWINGS MILLS, MD – It’s now been a full week since the 2026 NFL Draft began receding into the rearview mirror. Next, the league’s newcomers hit the road – fully embracing what they see through the windshield as they leave home, college campuses and/or pre-draft training sites to take the on ramp for the unofficial starts of their pro football careers as 31 of the NFL’s 32 clubs conduct May’s rookie minicamps – eight of them wrapping up this weekend, with 23 more set to be in full swing next weekend. (The Detroit Lions have opted out of their rookie minicamp, altering the approach to their offseason.)
“The message for those guys is, like, every day has to be the most important day of your career now. If you really want to make it, and you really want to find that consistency – like every meeting and every rep is the most important rep and especially from a mental standpoint. It’s not always going to be a thousand miles an hour physically. But every opportunity in the meeting room, in the weight room, in the walk-throughs, every rep is the most important rep of your career,” Ravens rookie head coach Jesse Minter said Saturday when asked about where he wants his rookies focused.
Advertisement
“For these guys, it’s not always about gaining the trust of me or the coaches. It’s really about gaining the trust of our veterans and our leaders – and they can do that over the course of the rest of the offseason program and in training camp. And most of the time, in my experience, even as just a defensive coach, the veteran players come to you and say, ‘Hey, that rookie is ready to help us,’ before you even say that as a coach.”
Yet the NFL is a cruel zero-sum game. For every rookie who makes a strong enough impression – or gets drafted highly enough – to land on the 53-man roster, one of those veterans Minter mentioned is suddenly out of a job. And though the rooks and the vets haven’t mixed in practices yet, the older guys know how this league works – and that they’re on notice amid the arrival of younger (and maybe cheaper) labor.
“I see a good room. But I want a great room. I want a dominant room. I want a bunch of pit bulls out there flying around making plays on the football,” new Giants coach John Harbaugh said specifically about his cornerbacks following the selection of Colton Hood in Round 2 − though almost any coach would apply that sentiment to each and every area of his roster.
“(H)e’s going to light a fire in that room. You better be ready. You better be ready to compete.”
Advertisement
It’s a warning established players around the league should heed as the anticipatory aspect of the offseason gives way to an increasingly fraught one. As the 2026 season draws closer, here are 26 veterans who appear to be on thin ice in the aftermath of the draft:
1 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
New York Jets – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
1 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
New York Jets – Arch Manning, QB, Texas
2 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Miami Dolphins – Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
3 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Arizona Cardinals – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
4 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Atlanta Falcons – Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
5 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Tennessee Titans – Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
6 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
7 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Cleveland Browns – CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
8 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
New York Giants – Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
9 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
New Orleans Saints – Colin Simmons, DE/OLB, Texas
10 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Washington Commanders – Dylan Stewart, DE/OLB, South Carolina
11 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Jets (from IND) – KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
12 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
13 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Pittsburgh Steelers – Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
14 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Jets (from DAL) – Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
15 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Carolina Panthers – Quincy Rhodes, DE/OLB, Arkansas
16 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Cincinnati Bengals – Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama
17 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Minnesota Vikings – Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
18 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Detroit Lions – Will Heldt, DE, Clemson
19 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Baltimore Ravens – Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State
20 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Houston Texans – Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
21 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Kansas City Chiefs – Trey’Dez Green, TE, LSU
22 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Philadelphia Eagles – Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
23 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Cowboys (from GB) – Nick Marsh, WR, Indiana
24 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
San Francisco 49ers – Koi Perich, S, Oregon
25 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Jacksonville Jaguars – David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
26 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Buffalo Bills – Damon Wilson II, DE, Miami (Fla.)
27 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Los Angeles Chargers – A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon
28 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Chicago Bears – Ahmad Moten, DT, Miami (Fla.)
29 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
New England Patriots – Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
30 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Los Angeles Rams – Princewill Umanmielen, DE/OLB, LSU
31 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Denver Broncos – A.J. Holmes Jr., DT, Texas Tech
32 / 32
Way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks aplenty in early look
Seattle Seahawks – Mateen Ibirogba, DT, Texas Tech
Career QB2s are usually on thin ice in some respect. However Brissett’s position could be increasingly tenuous given he’s angling for more money in 2026 … when the Cards could also turn to another capable understudy, Gardner Minshew II, if not third-rounder Carson Beck – who should get a long look at some point as this team assesses its QB plan for 2027 as well.
He’s been the heartbeat of this team in the past. He’ll also be 31 this season, is coming back from a season-ending ankle injury and is probably ticketed for No. 3 on the depth chart following the signing of Tyler Allgeier in free agency and, certainly, the selection of RB Jeremiyah Love, maybe this draft’s best player, at No. 3 overall. Here’s hoping Conner maybe gets traded to a contender at some point this year as his impressive career seemingly heads into its wind-down phase.
Advertisement
Never a star, the 2018 first-rounder has nevertheless hung around the league for a while. However he might not be much longer for the ATL as the Falcons prepare to team CB A.J. Terrell Jr. with his little brother, second-rounder Avieon Terrell, who’s comfortable lining up wide or in the slot.
He’s signed through the 2029 season, yet the cap hit to release him is fairly negligible a year from now. But 19 catches in 13 games, Bateman’s production in 2025, just isn’t going to cut it – especially after Baltimore selected WRs Ja’Kobi Lane (Round 3) and Elijah Sarratt (Round 4), who are both bigger than Bateman.
Advertisement
After trading for Maxx Crosby before bailing out of the deal, signing Trey Hendrickson and, now, drafting Zion Young in the second round, it’s pretty obvious Baltimore’s rebooting defense is looking for more production off the edge – which might also include a much stronger sophomore season from 2025 second-rounder Mike Green. None of it portends well for Robinson, who’s been unremarkable in three seasons.
Not only did he rupture a patellar tendon in the playoffs, not only did the Panthers sign veteran LT Rasheed Walker in free agency, but Carolina also picked OT Monroe Freeling in Round 1. Could be tough for Ekwonu, the sixth overall pick in 2022 entering his fifth-year option, to get a second contract in Charlotte.
Advertisement
Obtained via trade after Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement, Bradbury is likely just a short-term fix – and his contract expires after this season – following the arrival of Logan Jones in the second round.
The 2023 first-rounder has 8½ sacks and 92 pressures, per Next Gen Stats, through three seasons – middling production that led Cincy to decline his fifth-year option … and on the heels of drafting fastball Cashius Howell in the second round. Connect the dots.
How long can the plus-sized, hard-hitting former second-round safety hold off a plus-sized, hard-hitting new drafted second round safety – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who was widely expected to go in Round 1 this year?
Advertisement
Watson, the lightning rod former Pro Bowler, has reached the final year of his controversial contract and Sanders is merely a former fifth-rounder despite the ability he showcased in college and flashed as a rookie. They’re now currently locked in a battle for the QB1 job, Watson perhaps pulling ahead. Regardless, given the amount of talent GM Andrew Berry has provided this year, both in terms of a radically revamped offensive line and two new wideouts in the draft – KC Concepcion (Round 1), Denzel Boston (Round 2) – one of the QBs better have a standout season if they’re going to dissuade Berry from taking another passer in the 2027 draft.
Quarterbacks Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel practice together at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21, 2026.
His age (29 by Week 1) and lame duck status with his contract set to expire in 2027 make Nixon the most vulnerable Pack corner – certainly in terms of his standing in 2027 – with talented Brandon Cisse onboarding via the second round.
Advertisement
There wasn’t much to like about the Jags’ draft, though third-round G Emmanuel Pregnon was perhaps the notable exception. Mekari didn’t distinguish himself last season, and his base salary balloons from $1.3 million in 2026 to $12 million in 2027. Whether or not Pregnon is the better player already, he’s most definitely the more cost effective one a year from now.
1 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
1 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
2 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
3 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
4 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
5 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
6 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
7 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
8 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
9 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
10 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
11 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
12 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
13 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
14 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
15 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
16 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
17 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson
18 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida
19 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
20 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
21 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
22 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
23 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
24 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
25 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
26 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
27 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
28 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
29 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
30 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
31 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
32 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Be careful how much you teach the new guy, O.G. Jones is coming off his worst season in years, his 10.4% pressure rate the lowest he’s managed over the past eight seasons. He’ll also be 32 by Week 1, and has no guarantees in his contract after this season. And a Chiefs dynasty very much in a state of transition just overhauled its defense, including the selection of DT Peter Woods at the end of Round 1.
Advertisement
The soon-to-be 38-year-old knows he’s keeping the QB1 seat warm for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The only question is for how long.
Once the 35-year-old stops taking one-year deals, the nine-time Pro Bowler’s Hall of Fame clock will start ticking. Will the arrival of first-rounder Akheem Mesidor, who’s even bigger than Mack and seems more likely to play inside as a rookie expedite the former Defensive Player of the Year’s departure? Stay tuned.
A first-round pick in 2020, he’s never really lived up to that billing and is only under contract through this season. And while first-rounder Kadyn Proctor is set to play left guard in 2026, he played tackle exclusively at Alabama and seems destined to settle in there sooner or later.
Advertisement
The Fins’ projected starters at off-ball backer next season, both Brooks and Dodson are also on expiring contracts – though rookie GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has previously mentioned Brooks as a player he viewed as foundational. That was also before Sullivan drafted highly regarded ILB Jacob Rodriguez in the second round and seemed to get a steal by enlisting Kyle Louis in the fourth – though it remains to be seen if he’s a better fit at linebacker or safety, though he was drafted at the former position. Regardless, it seems inevitable that Rodriguez, a turnover-causing machine with strong leadership skills, will displace at least one of the vets currently ahead of him on the depth chart – and quite possibly this season.
He’s been a solid player in the league for a long time, 175 regular-season starts under his belt. Moses is also 35 and struggled down the stretch last season, noticeably in the Super Bowl loss to Seattle. First-rounder Caleb Lomu mostly played on the left side in college but, with a bit of experience and added strength, he might be coming for Moses’ job sooner than later – if not displacing 2025 first-rounder Will Campbell on the left side and forcing him to shift into Moses’ post.
Advertisement
A first-rounder in 2023, he’s one of those corners Harbaugh is now keeping a close eye on. Banks’ fifth-year option is already gone and so, too, might be the bulk of his 2026 playing time given the arrival of second-rounder Colton Hood.
He’s hung around for a while as a third or fourth option for the G-Men. That might soon be third-rounder Malachi Fields’ role, whose 6-foot-4, 222-pound frame should immediately make him a candidate to play on third downs and in red-zone packages.
The G-Men haven’t unloaded the fifth overall pick of the 2022 draft. Yet. But when the first prominent pass rusher somewhere else in the league gets hurt, don’t be surprised if his team becomes the latest to inquire about Thibodeaux and his 23½ career sacks. After all, with the Giants able to roll out 2025 NFC sack leader Brian Burns, 2025 first-rounder Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese, this year’s No. 5 selection, Thibodeaux has become an expensive luxury – if one who can still be employed regularly if Reese breaks in at the second level rather than off the edge.
Advertisement
As if the acquisitions of veterans Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks didn’t signal EVP/GM Howie Roseman’s intent to move on from Brown – likely next month, when the salary cap softens the team’s contractual hit – then certainly the trade up for Makai Lemon in Round 1 of the draft did.
A Round 1 selection three years ago, he only played in 11 games last season, is trying to come back from neck surgery – which is already casting a pall over his availability for the 2026 season – and didn’t get his fifth-year option picked up. And with newly minted first-rounder Max Iheanachor poised to bookend with Troy Fautanu, Jones very much seems like he’ll soon be the odd man out.
Advertisement
He got a ring, but it’s been a tough year for Charbonnet, who tore his ACL in the playoffs, missed the Super Bowl, is entering the walk year of his contract and will be vying for snaps with first-rounder Jadarian Price, who seems likely to get the bulk of departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III’s workload.
All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on shaky ground after 2026 draft
Browns’ Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on thin ice after 2026 draft Top World News Today.
Hence then, the article about browns shedeur sanders among 26 nfl veterans on thin ice after 2026 draft was published today ( ) and is available on TOP world News today ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Browns’ Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on thin ice after 2026 draft )
Also on site :