5. Mark Ingram (Running Back, New Orleans Saints)
Mark Ingram has been nothing if not solid for the Saints since joining the team as a first-round draft pick in 2011. He’s combined for over 5,200 yards and scored 36 touchdowns, and even earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2014. But at this point, the writing is on the wall.
Just prior to the draft, New Orleans went out and signed future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson. Despite that, Ingram reacted with a smile on his face and welcomed the veteran.
Ingram may not be smiling anymore, however. In Round 3 of the draft, the Saints traded their 2018 second-round pick to move up and select Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara, who some experts felt had a second-round grade.
Ultimately, the pick creates a whole lot of uncertainty for Ingram.
Peterson isn’t going to join the team and play second-fiddle. He’ll come in and start, which immediately reduces Ingram’s role. The addition of Kamara only further clouds things since he also expects to contribute out of the gate.
With a potential dead cap hit of $3.79 million this season, the Saints may attempt to trade Ingram as opposed to release him outright. But if they can’t and decided to go with a combo of Peterson/Kamara, they could opt to eat the cap hit and release the veteran outright. Either way, a reduced role appears to be in Ingram’s future.
4. Tom Savage (Quarterback, Houston Texans)
The Houston Texans say quarterback Tom Savage will be their starter going into the 2017 season. In fact, they insist upon it. But after drafting Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in the first-round, it’s impossible to carve Savage’s name in stone.
To his credit, Watson has thus far played along. But when rookie mini-camp, training camp and the preseason arrive, all of that goes out the window. Yes, Watson will learn what he can from Savage, but he’ll also aim to take his job.
Savage is entering the final year of his contract with the Texas, would have next to no dead cap hit if released and, quite frankly, doesn’t have enough experience to warrant such a level of job security. Even in the five career games he’s appeared, Savage hasn’t exactly come away looking like a franchise gunslinger. His zero career touchdowns are a testament to that.
For now, Savage is No. 1 on the team’s depth chart, but how much longer that rings true remains to be seen.
3. Branden Albert (Offensive Tackle, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Branden Albert may have only just been traded to the Jaguars, but his tenure in Jacksonville could end just as quickly as it began.
Albert is currently skipping the team’s voluntary portion of the offseason workout program — a decision that obviously does not sit well with Tom Coughlin — and has not spoken to anyone on the team. Because of that, Coughlin made sure to deliver a message to Albert by selecting Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson in the second-round of the NFL Draft.
As Albert continues to demand a new contract, the Jaguars plan to simply move forward with Robinson. By all accounts, he’ll now take over as the team’s Day 1 left tackle. And should Albert suddenly have a change of heart, he’ll find himself behind the eight-ball and fighting for a position on the team.
Either way, it’s unlikely Albert’s tumultuous Jaguars tenure lasts much longer. They’re not interested in giving him a new contract — he’s not interested in playing without it — and now Cam Robinson has taken his job.
2. Matt Jones (Running Back, Washington Redskins)
Redskins running back Matt Jones is an easy addition to this list for obvious reasons. Even prior to the team’s selection of Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine in the fourth-round of the NFL Draft, rumors were swirling that Jones could be traded.
Those rumors have not subsided following the conclusion of the draft, and Jones appears to be very much on the block.
Jones’ career in Washington has failed to live up to the initial hype, and despite him flashing some quality potential, the back has managed to rush for only 950 yards (3.8 ypc) and three touchdowns in 20 games. Meanwhile, despite being a mid-round pick, some experts believe Perine can come in and contribute right away — possibly even start.
With Robert Kelley and Chris Thompson also firmly in the mix, Jones is likely a goner whether he’s traded away or not.
1. Calvin Pryor (Safety, New York Jets)
Similarly to Matt Jones, Jets safety Calvin Pryor is an obvious addition to this list. He too has been the subject of much trade discussion since the start of the NFL Draft last Thursday. And although New York has yet to get a bite on their line, they continue to shop both Pryor and defensive end Sheldon Richardson.
Whether they ultimately end up with a deal or not, it’s clear Pryor’s days with the Jets are numbered. The team selected LSU safety Jamal Adams and Florida safety Marcus Maye in the first- and second-round respectively, and early indications are that the two are coming in to start.
Still, the Jets have left the door open for Pryor to return, but after being dangled out there as trade bait and watching as the team drafted two guys to take his job, it’s unlikely Pryor is interested in staying anyway.
The 2014 first-round pick has only one year remaining on his rookie deal, but would cost the team $2.73 million in dead cap space to release. Accordingly, you can bet New York continues to shop Pryor around. Whether he stays or goes, Pryor’s job is in serious jeopardy.
