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Jackson Sparks looks at five veteran wide receivers who could lose their role if their NFL team drafts a rookie wide receiver. Read the 2024 NFL Draft outlook.
Every year, the NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times for fans. Landing a game-changing player can switch the trajectory of a franchise, and that is the goal of all 32 NFL squads at this point in the offseason.
However, the draft can be a nerve-wracking time for NFL veterans who are fringe starters. Each draft cycle brings a new wave of talented players competing for starting spots, meaning many existing players will be pushed to the bench.
In this article, we'll dive into five veteran wide receivers who could be replaced on draft night -- most likely in Round 1 or Round 2. Let's dive in!
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Rashod Bateman - Baltimore Ravens
Coming out of Minnesota in the 2021 draft class, Bateman looked like a top-tier wideout prospect, and Baltimore desperately needed an upgrade at the position to play alongside Marquise Brown. Unfortunately, Bateman began his rookie campaign on the Injured Reserve list after undergoing groin surgery. He showed promise, catching 46 passes for 515 yards and one touchdown in 12 games, but unfortunately, he has failed to match those totals over the last two seasons.
Bateman caught 15 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns in six games in Year 2 and 32 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown in Year 3. Despite Mark Andrews being out for a large chunk of the 2023 campaign with an ankle injury and Odell Beckham Jr. looking beyond his prime, Bateman remained a non-factor.
With the Ravens holding the No. 30 overall pick, picking a wide receiver in that slot is a real possibility. If Baltimore lands Adonai Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, or Xavier Worthy late in Round 1, Bateman is unlikely to recover from the slow start to his NFL career.
Will Adonai Mitchell still be on the board when the Ravens select their pick?
He was great in college, but maybe the Diabetes stuff will put some teams off in relation to controlling it well.
The Ravens know a guy 👀 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/eNiE9E5hiE
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) April 19, 2024
Zay Jones - Jacksonville Jaguars
After an up-and-down first six seasons of his NFL career, Jones had a strong 82-catch, 823-yard campaign with the Jaguars in 2022. Those figures were both career highs and put him on a path toward production over the next few seasons. However, he struggled with injuries in 2023, compiling just 34 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns in nine games.
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🌟5 QBs in Round 1
🐯 Jaguars trade up for a WR
💪🏻 Offensive Lineman dominate
Check it out below ⬇️ #2024NFLDraft https://t.co/9edC3fchsd— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) March 26, 2024
The 29-year-old is now in danger during the 2024 NFL Draft, even after Calvin Ridley departed for Tennessee. Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis are likely locked-in starters, but the team should be attempting to bring in a true No. 1 wide receiver this offseason. Could they trade into the top 10 for Rome Odunze or stay at pick 17 and target BrIan Thomas Jr.? Either way, Jones would be in trouble and become the No. 4 wideout on the team.
K.J. Osborn - New England Patriots
Osborn began losing targets while playing alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson in 2023, but his prospects look much better as a member of the New England Patriots in 2024. If the season began today, he'd likely start in three-wide sets next to Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas.
Unfortunately for him, the season does not start today, and the 2024 NFL Draft is likely to push him into a reserve role. Whether New England sits at pick No. 3 and targets Marvin Harrison Jr. or picks a wide receiver in the second round, it's tough to see a scenario where Osborn isn't the odd man out.
The University of Miami product has totaled 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns through his first three NFL campaigns, which isn't bad considering he has shared a field with target hogs throughout. That said, his one-year, $4 million contract with the Pats doesn't suggest he has any kind of job security.
Alec Pierce - Indianapolis Colts
Pierce hasn't been a complete bust since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but the Colts could look to upgrade the WR2 spot, and they might be aggressive in doing so. In a brief sample as a rookie, quarterback Anthony Richarson showed signs of excellence and a high ceiling, so surrounding him with as much pass-catching talent as possible should be a key priority.
Here it is.
After weeks on the phones with GMs and HC’s, my first 2024 Mock Draft. https://t.co/eLUxc3fJWD
- Giants trade up for JJ McCarthy
- QBs go 1-4
- Colts trade up for Malik Nabers
- Eagles take Cooper DeJean
- Broncos go… Defense. @nflnetwork @NFLMedia @gmfb— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 16, 2024
A top-three wideout group consisting of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and a 2024 first-round rookie receiver would be a perfect supporting cast for the 21-year-old gun-slinger. If the third wide receiver happens to be Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, Pierce can kiss his starting role goodbye. That said, there are between five to 10 additional rookies that could put his starting spot in jeopardy as well.
Darius Slayton - New York Giants
Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards in four of the last five seasons. However, he has never hit the 800-yard mark, and he did not report to voluntary offseason workouts while he seeks a new contract. Does the organization see him as valuable enough to offer him a new deal? That's a real question.
Meanwhile, the G-Men hold the No. 6 overall pick, and they may refrain from picking a quarterback considering the hefty contract they signed Daniel Jones to last offseason. New York could end up with one of the top three wideouts in the class, and that player would likely start alongside Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson.
"I know they're looking for that WR1, especially after Odell left. If I can come in and be that guy, so be it."
Malik Nabers adds Brian Daboll "really likes" him when asked about potentially being drafted by the Giants: pic.twitter.com/isdO6CvdYT
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) March 1, 2024
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