Veterans most impacted by the 2018 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft always has a major impact on league veterans, both short and long-term. Here's a look at the NFL veterans most impacted by the 2018 NFL Draft.

1 of 22

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Cleveland Browns

Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Taylor was acquired by the Browns for a third-round pick this offseason, but he shouldn't be surprised to face competition from a rookie already. Cleveland drafted Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield first overall, and could have an open competition entering the season.

2 of 22

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Flacco can survive on the capital gained from winning the Super Bowl for only so long. The Ravens offense has stagnated over the last three seasons, and Flacco isn't due guaranteed money in 2019. The team traded up to 32nd overall to take former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Jackson will likely sit this year, but Flacco's days with the organization that drafted him are almost surely numbered.

3 of 22

Sam Bradford, QB, Arizona Cardinals

David Wallace / USA Today Sports Images

It's deja vu for Bradford. Two years ago he was in Philadelphia when the Eagles drafted Carson Wentz. After signing a one-year deal with Arizona, Bradford faces immediate competition from 10th overall draft choice Josh Rosen. Bradford need only to look at the Cardinals history with Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart for reason to think he still has a future in the desert, but the Cardinals didn't trade up in the draft for Rosen to sit forever.

4 of 22

A.J. McCarron, QB, Buffalo Bills

David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

McCarron signed this offseason to start for the Bills, though it's not surprising the team drafted a quarterback early in the draft. Josh Allen is considered a developmental project, but a good preseason could vault him over McCarron as Buffalo's starter.

5 of 22

Josh McCown, QB, New York Jets

Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

McCown filled in admirably as New York's starter last season, but he will be 39 by the start of the season. New York spent heavily to trade up for the third overall pick and selected Sam Darnold, who could challenge McCown immediately if the Jets consider him even remotely ready to play.

6 of 22

Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos

Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Denver released C.J. Anderson just weeks ago, making Booker the top man on the depth chart. That was until the Broncos drafted former Oregon star Royce Freeman. Freeman profiles similarly to Anderson as a compact, powerful back who can contribute on early downs, and he will challenge Booker for carries in the preseason.

7 of 22

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions

Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

A second-round pick in 2015, Abdullah has been a constant source of frustration in his three seasons due to injuries and, most recently, ineffective play. The Lions addressed running back by drafting Kerryon Johnson in the second round, giving Abdullah serious competition for early-down carries. Abdullah was already set to lose goal line carries to veteran LeGarrette Blount.

8 of 22

Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots

Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

Burkhead looked like the most likely running back to get early down carries until the Patriots drafted Sony Michel with the 31st pick. Michel has game-breaking ability that isn't shared by anyone else in the Patriots backfield, averaging 7.9 yards per carry last season.

9 of 22

Mike Gillislee, RB, New England Patriots

Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Like Burkhead, Gillislee is adversely impacted by the Michel pick. Unlike Burkhead, Gillislee is at serious risk of being cut due to the move. Counted on as New England's goal line back early last season, Gillislee became a healthy scratch for much of 2017.

10 of 22

Carlos Hyde, RB, Cleveland Browns

Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

San Francisco's former starter, Hyde just signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Browns, but his role is already in jeopardy after the Browns drafted Nick Chubb in the second round. Chubb was a highly productive back at Georgia, and will immediately challenge Hyde for the carries on early downs.

11 of 22

Samaje Perine, RB, Washington Redskins

Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Perine started for Washington during the second half of last season, and looked like their future with the second-year struggles of Rob Kelley. Now he faces major competition for that title after the team drafted former LSU star Derrius Guice, who plunged to 59th overall but would seem to offer significantly more upside after Perine had only 3.4 yards per carry in his rookie season.

12 of 22

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Cleveland Browns

Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Cleveland announced their intent to address cornerback before the draft and did just that by taking Denzel Ward fourth overall. Boddy-Calhoun has seen regular playing time over the last two seasons for Cleveland but is likely to be replaced in short order by the No. 4 overall pick.

13 of 22

Ziggy Hood, DT, Washington Redskins

Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Hood has started at defensive tackle over the last two seasons in Washington, but the veteran's starting job is in trouble after the Skins drafted Da'Ron Payne 13th overall. Payne's pass-rushing ability adds another dimension to the Washington defensive line.

14 of 22

Terence Newman, CB, Free Agent

Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Newman and the Vikings have been dancing this offseason about a new contract, but the drafting of Mike Hughes 30th overall very well could close the book on the 39-year-old's Vikings career. It remains to be seen if any other team will want to invest a roster spot on such an old corner.

15 of 22

C.J. Prosise, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Seattle has struggled to find their starting running back since the departure of Marshawn Lynch. They hope to have that spot settled after taking Rashaad Penny in the first round. Given the investment, recent draftees Prosise and Chris Carson will have a tough time finding carries.

16 of 22

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Tampa Bay was especially thin at running back entering the draft, so it was no surprise that they addressed the spot in the draft. Still, Rodgers will have a tough time retaining carries after the Bucs selected explosive USC back Ronald Jones II early in the second round.

17 of 22

Jonathan Stewart, RB, New York Giants

Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

The signing of Jonathan Stewart to a two-year deal this offseason looked odd at the time for the Giants, and it looks even worse after the team drafted running back Saquon Barkley second overall in the draft. The best Stewart can hope for is a short yardage role after the Giants invested so much in Barkley.

18 of 22

Cole Beasley, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

An undersized wideout, Beasley regressed last season after a breakout 2016 season with the Cowboys. Third-round pick Michael Gallup could need time to develop, but he gives Beasley legitimate competition in the slot, along with Tavon Austin, who was acquired in a trade during the draft.

19 of 22

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Sanu has been a solid option opposite Julio Jones since signing with the Falcons in 2016. However, his targets could be in jeopardy after the Falcons drafted Calvin Ridley in the first round. Ridley is already a strong route runner, and he has a head start after playing under Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian at Alabama in 2016.

20 of 22

Torrey Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

Smith came over from Philadelphia this offseason, but he hasn't shown great explosiveness over the last two seasons. He faces further competition for the No. 2 wide receiver job after Carolina drafted D.J. Moore 24th overall.

21 of 22

Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears

Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

The seventh overall pick by the Bears in 2015, White has managed to play only five games in three seasons due to injuries. Chicago clearly isn't relying on White after signing Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, and have added further competition with second-round pick Anthony Miller. Miller had 1,400 receiving yards in consecutive seasons at Memphis, and could be ready by Week 1.

22 of 22

Shane Ray, OLB, Denver Broncos

Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

Ray is coming off an injury-plagued season, and the Broncos haven't committed to picking up his fifth-year option. His future with the team is further in doubt after the Broncos took edge rusher Bradley Chubb fifth overall.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump
Odell Beckham Jr. reveals why he was 'hesitant' to join Dolphins
Lakers reportedly interested in adding three-time All-Star via trade
Luka Doncic fed off negative reactions in Game 5 win over Thunder
Celtics finally put away undermanned Cavaliers, advance to conference finals
Avalanche force Game 6 with big third period vs. Stars

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.