Packers, Giants players headline list of NFL veterans who could lose job to rookies

Which players could lose their starting role after the NFL Draft?

While the 2025 NFL Draft acts as a welcoming to the NFL of the next rookie class, it also signals an incoming doom for some veterans. After the draft, there are a number of veterans who should be feeling some heat after seeing their teams take younger players at their position. These veterans could see their playing time diminished in the 2025 season, and eventually lose their job altogether. Whether it be due to decline in play or a new coaching staff, these guys might be on the hot seat entering 2025.

Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers

Watson is coming off a torn ACL that’ll keep him sidelined for most of 2025, but even when he comes back the receiver room has gotten extremely crowded. The Packers drafted a receiver in the first round for the first time in ages, selecting Texas WR Matthew Golden. On top of that, TCU WR Saivion Williams was taken on Day 2, giving the Packers two guys who can use their speed to create explosives. Watson’s size and speed was going to be missed going into the season, but with the Packers doubling up on receiver in the draft, it seems like he could be the odd man out.

Trevor Penning, OT, New Orleans Saints

The Saints didn’t pick up Trevor Penning’s fifth-year option, and for good reason. Penning has been up and down since being picked in the first round, flipping from left to right tackle last season. However, with Kelvin Banks now on the roster, I wonder where Penning plays in 2025. Is he moving to guard or does he become the swing tackle on this team? It seems like the Saints still believe in him, but it’s going to be a big year for Penning with a new offense and potentially learning a new position.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, New York Giants

The Giants did pick up the fifth-year option for Thibodeaux, but then drafted Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter 3rd overall. Although Carter did play off-ball at Penn State before moving to the defensive line full time, I think his best position is on the edge full time, which creates somewhat of a logjam at that position. They’re not going to take Brian Burns off the field and Carter is probably going to play a lot, so I wonder what the plan is for Thibodeaux. He hasn’t exactly been the player he was hoped for entering the draft, mixing stretches of brilliance with some really frustrating moments. That inconsistency could see him get his snaps cut short in 2025.

Ja’Quan McMillan, CB, Denver Broncos

I’ve been a big fan of McMillan, but with the selection of Texas CB Jahdae Barron in the first round, I wonder if he’s the odd man out in their secondary room. Riley Moss has more size and could play outside, and Patrick Surtain II is the reigning DPOY, but McMillan was the most targeted guy when lined up in the slot in 2024, and that might be something the Broncos want to change. Now this is all reliant on Barron playing on the inside rather than outside (which if he plays outside I have a lot of questions about Riley Moss), but I love his play more on the inside, meaning McMillan could be the one who sees his snaps go down in 2025.

Gabe Davis, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags spent most of their offseason purging the signings of the Trent Baalke era, right before trading up for Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter. WR Gabe Davis is still on the roster, but his playing time could get cut significantly. Jacksonville has said that Hunter will start out at receiver, and also added Dyami Brown in free agency to complement star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. However, Davis doesn’t really factor into those plans after a 2024 mired with drops and poor route running. In a new offense with a new front office, Davis has quickly gone from being top dog to fighting for reps in the crowded WR room.