5 IDPs Who Lost Value After the Draft

Photo: USA Today Sports

As should be the case, the newest crop of rookies gets most of the attention around the NFL Draft.

But the draft affects veterans in a big way. The draft shows each team's plan for the 2023 season and beyond. We see which part of the cycle is coming. New players can't come in without veterans leaving. And veterans don't leave without new players coming in.

Luckily, the Footballguys staff is here to sort out this movement. We asked them to name a player who came out of the draft with some major competition.

See 14 Veterans Who Gained Value here >>>
See 9 Veterans Who Lost Value here >>>
See 5 IDP Vets Who Gained Value >>>

EDGE Carl Lawson, New York Jets

Tripp Brebner: The Jets were widely applauded for signing edge rusher Carl Lawson to a three-year $45 million contract ahead of the 2021 season. Sadly, an Achilles tendon tear cost him that season. He returned to a rotational role in 2022, collecting 7.0 sacks. He's due $15.7 million for 2023. In the meantime, the Jets used the 15th overall pick on a substantially similar player in Will McDonald IV from Iowa State. With a minuscule dead cap hit of $333,333, Lawson is as good as gone from New York by August.

LB Kenneth Murray, Los Angeles Chargers

Kyle Bellefeuil: It’s been a less-than-ideal first three seasons for Kenneth Murray in Los Angeles. Murray has battled injuries and subpar play since being picked 23rd overall in the 2020 draft. Now, the competition just heated up, with the Chargers selecting talented rookie Daiyan Henley in the third round (85th overall) of this year’s draft. Eric Kendricks was already set for the lead role, but Murray has serious competition for snaps at the other linebacker spot. The Chargers seem ready to move on, recently declining Murray’s fifth-year option to no surprise. Murray held a 69% snap share (719 snaps) last season, and that number looks destined to decline in 2023.