AFC rookie check-in: 2024 draft picks who could replace a veteran

More than two months before training camps open, teams are already getting a good look at rookies in mini-camps and envisioning the roles they may play for the 2024 season.

With that in mind, we asked Yardbarker's NFL writers to identify the rookie on each AFC team who could replace a veteran as a starter.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | Center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (fifth-round pick) | After releasing Mitch Morse this offseason, Buffalo is moving former starting left guard Connor McGovern to center, a position he has limited experience playing in the NFL (100 career snaps). If McGovern can't handle his new role, Buffalo could turn to Van Pran-Granger, a two-time national champion at Georgia with three seasons of starting experience (one sack allowed during that span).

MIAMI DOLPHINS | WR Malik Washington (sixth-round pick) | The Dolphins signed Odell Beckham Jr., but the 31-year-old's lackluster production across 14 games with Baltimore last season (35 receptions, 565 yards, three TD catches) and extensive injury history are concerning. Should Beckham miss time or struggle, don't be surprised if Washington, whose 110 receptions in 2023 were an ACC season record, takes over as Miami's third receiving option.

NEW YORK JETS | CB Qwan’tez Stiggers (fifth-round pick) | The 22-year-old didn't play college football but excelled in the Fan Controlled Football league, earning a spot in the Canadian Football League, where he made five interceptions and was its Most Outstanding Rookie in 2023. Stiggers' ball-hawking skills and 5-foot-11, 203-pound frame give him the versatility to play nickel corner or safety, so he could unseat either Michael Carter II or Chuck Clark.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | OT Caedan Wallace (third-round pick) | New England let LT Trent Brown walk in free agency, signing former Steelers RT Chukwuma Okorafor as his potential replacement, but Wallace may be the true heir apparent. Wallace, who surrendered nine sacks while playing primarily at right tackle at Penn State, is moving to the left side, a transition he hasn't found "all too hard" during rookie minicamp.  — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | WR Troy Franklin (fourth-round pick) | Although the Broncos signed WR Josh Reynolds to a two-year, $9M deal in free agency, Franklin already has chemistry with rookie QB Bo Nix. Over the past two seasons at Oregon, Franklin became Nix’s top target, recording 142 receptions for 2,272 yards and 23 TD catches.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Safety Jaden Hicks (fourth-round pick) | Pro Football Focus tabbed Washington State’s Hicks as one of the biggest steals in the draft, touting his versatility. Chiefs safety Justin Reid allowed an above-average 99.8 passer rating (per PFF) in 16 games last season, so it wouldn’t be shocking if Hicks eventually supplants him.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Safety Trey Taylor (seventh-round pick) | Raiders safety Marcus Epps struggled in pass coverage last season, allowing an above-average 104.4 passer rating in 17 games, per Pro Football Focus. If Epps keeps underperforming, Vegas could turn to Air Force’s Taylor, the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award winner as college football's best defensive back.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | OT Joe Alt (first-round pick) | Taking Alt with the fifth overall pick of the draft could signal L.A. has lost confidence in OT Trey Pipkins III, who tied for fourth in the league in sacks allowed (nine in 17 games) last season. Alt, who allowed one sack in 12 games at Notre Dame in 2023, could provide far better pass protection for Chargers QB Justin Herbert. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | WR Devontez Walker (fourth-round pick) | Walker is joining a crowded wide receiver room highlighted by Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor. However, the former North Carolina speedster (4.36 seconds in 40 at the combine) could take a starting job from either Bateman or Agholor, who combined for just 748 receiving yards and five TD catches last season.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | TE Tanner McLachlan (sixth-round pick) | The Bengals signed veteran Mike Gesicki in free agency and drafted another tight end in the fourth round (Iowa’s Erick All), but McLachlan may have the most upside out of all of them. He finished his career at Arizona with 984 receiving yards on 79 catches, breaking Rob Gronkowski’s school record for most career receptions by a tight end.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | LB Nathaniel Watson (sixth-round pick) | The Browns rebuilt inside linebacker with veterans Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush, but Hicks turns 32 this summer and Bush continued to build his case as a first-round bust with only 37 tackles for Seattle in 2023. Watson, who had 333 tackles, 21 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions the past three years at Mississippi State, could take the job of either of them.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | G Mason McCormick (fourth-round pick) | 2023 starting guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels will likely retain their jobs going into the season, but the team drafted the 6-foot-5, 315-pound McCormick from South Dakota State to eventually replace one of them. Seumalo has two years left on his deal. Daniels, meanwhile, is heading into the final year of his contract. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Safety Calen Bullock (third-round pick) | Though Jimmie Ward is a 10-year veteran, he has a concerning injury history (he has played a full season just once) and has played more than 500 coverage snaps just twice. Bullock is fast and is a ball hawk, making him the perfect candidate to unseat Ward.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | WR Adonai Mitchell (second-round pick) | Mitchell seems highly motivated to prove those who questioned his character leading up to the draft wrong, which could make him a threat to Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. Mitchell’s speed (4.34 seconds in 40 at combine) makes him a deep threat, and with his impressive catch radius and knack for sideline catches, he could emerge as an immediate go-to target for Anthony Richardson.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | WR Brian Thomas Jr. (first-round pick) | Thomas Jr. was the biggest touchdown threat in college football — a skill Jags QB Trevor Lawrence will likely appreciate. With Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones no longer around, Gabriel Davis appeared to be penciled in as Jacksonville’s No. 2 WR, but Thomas Jr. has the size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds), ball-tracking skills and ability to win contested catches to push Davis down the depth chart.

TENNESSEE TITANS | LB Cedric Gray (third-round pick) | Gray was a tackling machine at North Carolina over the past two seasons, totaling 266 tackles and 23 tackles for loss. Kenneth Murray Jr. was brought in to man the middle of Tennessee’s defense, but Gray is the kind of efficient downhill tackler who many believe could make an instant impact and possibly wear the green dot on his helmet, which signifies the player who communicates with the sideline via radio. — Michael Gallagher