The NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, but that doesn’t mean the NFL has run out of excitement. The Houston Texans will gather later this month, and they’ll look to incorporate a draft class that could make them contenders in the AFC next season.
But while rookies and UDFAs are excited for their first NFL opportunity, but it’s a trying time for veterans. Some players on the roster bubble could be fighting off a younger player for his job. If things go too poorly, they could be looking for a new role or a new team.
It puts a lot of pressure on some players in practices that are usually termed meaningless. But it also creates a list of players who used to don a Texans uniform that could be without a job by the time the calendar turns to June.
1. RB Devin Singletary (Giants)
Devin Singletary figures to be in good shape as the veteran of the New York Giants' backfield. The 27-year-old had a tough first season in New York, running 113 times for 437 yards and four touchdowns, and lost his starting job to rookie Tyrone Tracy. But he figures to run into more competition with fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo.
Skattebo became a national sensation with his performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff and specializes in bounding off tacklers. While Singletary is more of an elusive back, Skattebo has no problems running a defender over and brings a different element to the Giants' backfield.
This creates a problem for Singletary. He’s in the second year of a three-year contract but the Giants would only eat $6 million in dead cap if he’s cut by June 1. Even if he survives, he could lose his backup role to Skattebo. If the Giants decide they want to get younger and cheaper at the position, they can save $1.5 million by cutting him at the end of training camp. It puts Singletary on the chopping block, and a move could happen as soon as June.
2. G Kenyon Green (Eagles)
The Texans offensive line struggled last season, and a key reason was that Kenyon Green never lived up to his potential. A five-star offensive tackle recruit who kicked inside during college, Green was selected 15th overall by the Texans in the 2022 draft but couldn’t translate his success to the professional level.
Green logged a 37.7 overall grade over 823 snaps in his rookie season, according to Pro Football Focus, but his specific issue was in pass protection. After allowing 47 pressures on 495 snaps (9.4% pressure rate), Green missed the entire 2023 season with a shoulder injury before his struggles continued last season, posting a 38.6 overall grade that ranked 73rd out of 79 qualifiers.
Houston was desperate to pull the plug on Green and took on half of his salary to facilitate a trade for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. While Eagles offensive line coach pulled off a reclamation project with Mekhi Becton last season, Green hasn’t shown any signs of potential in the NFL. It makes Darian Kinnard and Matt Pryor more than competition and could leave the Texas native looking for a new team.
3. CB Jeff Okudah (Vikings)
Okudah came to the Texans looking for a chance to revive his career. But the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft couldn’t do it in Houston. Now he’s looking for a similar chance as a reclamation project for Brian Flores, but that opportunity could be over before it even begins.
The 26-year-old is in a good spot on the depth chart after signing a one-year deal with Minnesota. Mekhi Blackmon is coming off a torn ACL, and Isaiah Rodgers Jr. is getting his first opportunity to start after coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles. But Vikings insider Ben Goessling hinted that Minnesota could add another cornerback at some point, and it could push Okudah down the depth chart.
The Vikings have been connected to Asante Samuel Jr., but that deal may not happen as he continues to deal with symptoms from a shoulder injury. They could also take a big swing and trade for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but they probably need to see if they have to make an addition at cornerback first.
Whoever arrives, it could be a disaster for Okudah and have him tumbling down the depth chart or out of his latest opportunity altogether.