9 NFL Veterans Who Could Lose Their Jobs to 2017 Rookies

​Cody Kessler

I’m really not stunned the Cleveland Browns are already trying to replace quarterback Cody Kessler. He was a head-scratching third-round selection by the newly-minted Sashi Brown/Paul DePodesta/Hue Jackson regime in the 2016 NFL Draft to begin with.

What was more surprising was how he rose to the challenge of starting when both Josh McCown and Robert Griffin III succumbed to injury, posting a 0.14 Passing NEP per drop back, the 17th-best mark among 39 quarterbacks to drop back 100 times. He was just 22nd in Passing Success Rate -- slightly below-average -- but it seemed that with an improved offensive line and new weapons, he could take a big step forward in 2017, if given the chance.

This offseason, however, the Browns acquired Brock Osweiler in what seemed like a salary dump trade. Thing is, if Kessler struggles, the Brownies might give him a chance to start, despite sporting the seventh-worst Passing NEP per drop back. In addition, Cleveland snagged DeShone Kizer out of Notre Dame with one of their second-round picks. If Kessler starts in Week 1, he'll likely be on an extremely short leash.