Veterans Likely On Their Way Out

Every offseason there are veteran players who are released, some come as more of a surprise than others. These players range from thirty-somethings to guys just a few years removed from getting drafted. Here are a handful of veterans I think are going to be let go at some point this offseason.

Isaiah Pead, RB, St. Louis Rams- Pead was drafted by the Rams in the second round of the 2012 draft and has failed to make a name for himself on the field. Zac Stacy and Tre Mason are the top two backs, and Benny Cunningham contributed enough on both offense and special teams last season to be third on the depth chart.
Benjarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Cincinnati Bengals- The man nicknamed The Law Firm has never been a game changing running back. He's the classic "three yards and a cloud of dust" type of back. He lacks breakaway speed, doesn't break many tackles, and doesn't have value as a receiver. Also, he doesn't contribute on special teams and he turns 29 in July. Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill are the top two backs on this team, and behind them will be Cedric Peerman and Rex Burkhead.
Akeem Dent, LB, Atlanta Falcons- Drafted in the third round by the Falcons in 2011, Dent has failed to make an impact. This was never more evident than last season, when undrafted rookies Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu usurped Dent on the depth chart and produced for the defense when starting inside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was placed on injured-reserve. With Weatherspoon, Worrilow, and Bartu set in stone and draft picks Yawin Smallwood and Marquis Spruill added to the mix, there's a slim chance Dent makes the roster.
Peyton Hillis, RB, New York Giants- The Giants signed free agent running back Rashad Jennings to be their starter, and then drafted the powerful Andre Williams in the fourth round this year. Throw 2012 first round pick David Wilson into the mix, and that leaves little room for Hillis.
Daniel Kilgore, C, San Francisco 49ers- The 49ers drafted Marcus Martin -- arguably the best center in this year's draft -- in the third round. That could certainly make Kilgore expendable, and due to this team's depth, moves like these aren't very difficult.
LaMichael James, RB, San Francisco 49ers- We know that Frank Gore, Marcus Lattimore, and Carlos Hyde are locks to make the roster. That leaves Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James competing for the final running back spot. They have similar skill sets, but Hunter has proven himself, while James has failed to make much of an impact on offense since being selected in the second round in 2012. I think James is on his way out.
Dawan Landry, SS, New York Jets- Landry is better suited as an in-the-box strong safety. The Jets used their first round pick to draft hard-hitting safety Calvin Pryor. In my eyes, that means they have their starting strong safety, making the 31-year-old Landry expendable.
Dan Connolly, G, New England Patriots- Almost three weeks ago, Patriots drafted three offensive lineman, all of whom display the ability to play guard. Connolly is over the hill and they could use an upgrade at right guard. I think Connolly will be cut in favor of a younger, more effective player.
Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars- It's not matter of if Blackmon will be released, but when. Okay, maybe that's a bit much, but you get the point. Drafted by the Jaguars in the first round in 2012, Blackmon can't stay out of trouble. Before he even suited up for his first NFL game, he was arrested for DUI. He was suspended for the first four games of 2013 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Then, just two months into last season, Blackmon again violated the league's substance-abuse policy and was suspended indefinitely. According to The Associated Press' Mark Long, the Jaguars gave Blackmon's locker to undrafted rookie quarterback Stephen Morris.


*Player ages, stats, etc. courtesy of www.pro-football-reference.com