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Six NFL veterans in danger of losing their jobs to a rookie

It happens every year as training camps swing into action. NFL rookies will overtake veterans for key starting roles for their respective clubs.

The following is a list of veterans who could be starting in Week 1. Though, due to potential health issues, age, or a decline in performance, their rookie counterparts could be the guys starting and finishing the 2016 season.

Justin Forsett, running back, Baltimore Ravens

Forsett will turn 31 years old this October. He is returning from an injury and a down season that saw him meet the end zone only twice in 2015.

With Forsett’s longevity and endurance in question, the Ravens beefed up their running back depth and selected Kenneth Dixon in the fourth round of this year’s draft. He will likely compete with both Buck Allen and Forsett for touches due to his versatility and skill set.

During his four years at Louisiana Tech, Dixon maintained an average of 1,120 rushing yards, 242 receiving yards and 21 combined touchdowns per season. Wow.

Considering the Ravens running backs struggled as a whole and ranked 26th in the run game last year, the team turning to Dixon as an every-down back seems quite likely down the stretch.

Mark Sanchez, quarterback, Denver Broncos

Mark Sanchez

So far during the offseason, reports coming from the Broncos’ camp aren’t exactly encouraging. The quarterback competition is close between veteran Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian, and it’s being reported that Sanchez is barely winning the battle at this point.

While it would appear that Sanchez should prevail in the long run once training camp starts, he is obviously not a long-term solution for the role. As history would suggest, Sanchez should be on interception watch. Should he unload more picks than scores, rookie Paxton Lynch could see some early starts this year if Siemian doesn’t impress.

Considering Siemian has limited NFL experience himself, Lynch may just inherit the starting role by default as the season progresses. If this happens, then Sanchez’ overall future in the league could be doomed.

Captain Munnerlyn, cornerback, Minnesota Vikings

Following the Vikings’ selection of cornerback Mackensie Alexander in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Munnerlyn quickly reacted with this social media message.

To some, it might suggest that Munnerlyn could see Alexander as an eventual threat to his starting job. Or, it could be a message from Munnerlyn to head coach Mike Zimmer that that new rookie shall not threaten his status.

Nevertheless, it was a bit interesting that the Vikings selected further cornerback depth beyond their current roster. At this time, according to the Vikings depth chart, the team has Alexander penciled in at the nickelback slot. This is despite an earlier report that suggested Munnerlyn’s job would be secure for the time being.

Munnerlyn started in only five games last season, but his production remained solid. He is currently playing in the final year of his three-year contract with Minnesota.

Case Keenum, quarterback, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams didn’t give up the farm in the 2016 NFL Draft to select Jared Goff at No. 1 only to have him sit on the bench and observe all season.

This means the days for Keenum as a starter are be numbered even if we see him under center in Week 1.

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche says “don’t be shocked” if Case Keenum starts for the Rams to start the season. Wyche also commented on Goff’s status.

“Goff is nowhere near being ready to start Week 1 and is swimming in it.”

This by no means should this erase the fact that Keenum struggled last year. He posted a 3-2 win/loss record and managed only 165 passing yards on average per game. Over the stretch of Keenum’s four years in the NFL, he hasn’t exactly impressed with five wins versus 10 losses while completing only 56.7 percent of his passes.

It would be truly difficult to imagine, based on Keenum’s track record, that we won’t see Goff start at some point before the league’s half-way point in 2016.

Kenny Stills, wide receiver Miami Dolphins

Failing to make a major impact after being traded to the Dolphins last year, Stills could see some competition over training camp from rookie wideout, Leonte Carroo.

In his debut with the Dolphins, Stills caught a lowly average of only 42.9 percent of his 63 targets for a total of 440 yards and three touchdowns. This is a major drop in production from his tenure with the New Orleans Saints.

When the Dolphins lost Rishard Matthews to free agency, the team added depth when they selected Carroo in the third round. It would be safe to assess that the Dolphins aren’t completely sold on Stills, and he could compete for snaps during training camp.

Carroo drew a comparison to Anquan Boldin by his new coaches, and he also had the privilege of being invited by Jarvis Landry to train during the offseason.

The former Rutgers receiver ranked No.1 in the Big 10 in 2015 after tallying an average of 20.7 yards per reception.

DeMarco Murray, running back, Tennessee Titans

NFL veterans, DeMarco Murray

The Titans have yet to commit to Murray as a starter. Offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie recently described the running back situation as it will play out this season.

“Obviously we’ll have it situated going into the game, and figuring, ‘Hey, we want to go this way or go that way.’ If we get to going in the game and some guy gets the hot hand and that’s what it takes to win the game then that is what we are going to do.”

This equates to the Titans’ second-round pick, running back Derrick Henry, likely stealing carries from Murray in his rookie debut. Henry received 395 attempts which he turned into 2,219 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns in his final year at Alabama. All the while, he managed 5.6 yards per carry.

Murray dazzled in 2014 with the Dallas Cowboys when he posted a ridiculous 1,845 rushing yards. Although most recently, Murray spent one miserable season as a Philadelphia Eagle when his average yards per carry dropped from 4.7 to 3.6 in 2015.

It is reasonable to believe that in order to keep Murray healthy, Henry could possibly upstage the veteran and wind up with more touches when the 2016 season comes to a close.

Fantasy football players, you have been warned.

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