2016 NFL Preseason: Players With Most To Lose In Week 3

There are a host of players who began the 2016 NFL preseason thinking they were safe. Now going into the most important week, that has changed.

Several notable veteran are very much on the hot seat. As everybody knows, the third week of preseason is considered the dress rehearsal for the real thing. Poor performance it this game often makes or breaks certain players when it comes to roster security. With that in mind, who are some names that can absolutely not afford a bad game this week?

Mark Sanchez (QB, Denver Broncos)

How did it come to this? That is the question Mark Sanchez is asking himself at the moment. Just a short few months ago the Denver Broncos had traded for him with the intent of making him their starter for 2016. It was a huge opportunity for a veteran quarterback that has gotten his fair share after failed attempts in New York and Philadelphia. Then, as before, things have started going off the rails. Sanchez not only hasn’t played well, but both 1st round pick Paxton Lynch and former 3rd stringer Trevor Siemian seem to have passed him on the depth chart.

Justin Forsett (RB, Baltimore Ravens)

The numbers are really catching up to Justin Forsett now. Two numbers in fact. The first is his age. Being 30-years old is never a welcome bit of news for running backs. Another is the cast of younger bodies stacking up behind him on the depth chart. Javorius Allen, Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon have each outperformed him in the preseason thus far. The Baltimore Ravens don’t have qualms about casting off older players when the young ones show they’re ready. Forsett needs a good game or he’s done.

Eddie Royal (WR, Chicago Bears)

On the other hand, wide receiver Eddie Royal actually has to play a game. His recurring problems dating back to last year has been staying healthy. So far he hasn’t logged a single preseason snap. That may have been fine last year when he was a brand new free agent addition. Not this time. The Chicago Bears have a number of credible options emerging at slot receiver. Enough to where they could justify cutting Royal despite his considerable salary cap hit. There is no point keeping a player around who doesn’t play.

Ahmad Brooks (OLB, San Francisco 49ers)

The veteran outside linebacker is clinging to his job by his fingernails at this point. He just hasn’t made the same amount of plays as he used to. Worse still he’s 32-years old and there are a host of young bucks scrambling up the depth chart to take his job. Former 2nd and 3rd round picks Eli Harold and Tank Carradine are there. Not to mention former undrafted free agent Marcus Rush who is having a great preseason. Brooks is in a position where if he’s not the starter, it’s possible he’s not on the roster at all.

Alterraun Verner (CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Coaches made it clear from the end of last season that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wanted more big plays from the cornerbacks in 2016. Alterraun Verner has remained in limbo regarding his long-term status with the team and it hasn’t helped that younger players like Vernon Hargreaves and Jonathan Banks have been outperforming him in preseason. There’s a chance he still sticks on the roster anyway, but given the money they’re paying him it would be hard to justify. Backups don’t make that much for sitting on the bench.

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