Gregg Rosenthal

The NFL Draft isn’t all about boyhood dreams realized and new mortgages for mom.  It’s a terrifying weekend for NFL veterans who know that every rookie selected could take away their livelihood. 

Here’s a look at five (OK, six) players who should be especially nervous on draft day.

1. Willie Parker, Steelers

Most fans look at Willie Parker and see an explosive running back that has made the Pro Bowl the past two years.  The Steelers might see a runner with limitations recovering from a broken leg that would look better in a committee.

Fast Willie does many things well, but he’s not a strong pass receiver and his size makes him average in short-yardage situations.  The Steelers would love to play smashmouth football, and asking Parker to lead the league in carries (as he was before his injury) is asking too much. 

The Steelers have already added third-down threat Mewelde Moore, but don’t be surprised if they select a tag team partner for Parker in round two or three.  The rookie could take Parker’s job when his contract runs out after 2009, just like Parker once took the keys from the Bus.

2. Cedric Benson, Bears

The Bears can be loyal to a fault with their draft picks.  They have believed in Rex Grossman for too long, and risk making the same mistake with Cedric Benson.  The former top-five pick was not ready to be a primary back in 2007, averaging only 3.4 yards-per-carry.  He should be a bruising player, but often goes down at first contact.

Benson’s broken ankle should provide Chicago enough motivation to invest another high pick at the running back position.   Benson bristled as a backup to Thomas Jones, but he’s headed for another competition.  

3. Joey Porter, Dolphins

Year 1 of the Bill Parcells regime in Miami will be all about cleaning up past mistakes. And giving Joey Porter a five-year contract last year was a big mistake. Porter’s pass rush skills have been fading for years, and he won’t be around by the time the Dolphins are winning again.

If Miami takes Chris Long with the first pick, Porter could find himself on the chopping block.  Even if Long doesn’t get selected, look for the Dolphins to add some outside linebackers in the mold of a young Willie McGinest.  By 2009, Miami won’t need to pay Porter’s bloated salary.

4. Kellen Clemens, Jets

Being a “quarterback of the future” is a precarious position.  You better be ready when the future arrives or you become a journeyman of the present before you can say Akili.  Kellen Clemens wasn’t ready last year.

Rotoworld's Fantasy impact     NFL Player News Chad not done yet Tannenbaum also promised Pennington a chance to battle Kellen Clemens to start. Pennington has not requested a trade and is participating in the Jets' offseason program, so he's seemingly fine with the situation. In addition, owner Woody Johnson assured coach Eric Mangini and Tannenbaum that they will not be fired even if they experience another losing season in 2008. More on Kellen Clemens

His offensive line didn’t help, but Clemens’ pocket presence was poor and his arm strength disappointing.  After giving the job to Clemens midway through last season, the Jets held on to Chad Pennington this Spring to possibly get his job back.  They didn’t sign any depth behind the top two, though, indicating that a rookie may be on the way.

If Matt Ryan falls to the Jets at pick number six, don’t discount Eric Mangini taking a long look.  Even if Gang Green waits a round, they are reportedly high on Deleware’s Joe Flacco.  Clemens was the high upside selection just two years ago, but he may already get replaced.

5. Travis Henry, Broncos

Henry’s first year in Denver included a child support case that revealed he fathered a baseball lineup with nine women followed up by a protracted legal battle about a positive drug test.  Mike Shanahan could have lived with all that if Henry played well on Sundays, but that didn’t happen. 

Henry knows his place on the team is tenuous; he forfeited a $6 million roster bonus just to avoid getting cut.  Now he’ll have to watch Shanahan get tempted by the newest possible recruits for the Denver running back legacy.  We doubt Shanahan can resist.  This is the man who burned a pick on Maurice Clarett.  

Bonus Worried Vet: Marvin Harrison, Colts

OK, so Harrison doesn’t really need to be nervous.  Colts fans do.  A rookie isn’t going to take Harrison’s job, but the Colts draft will tell us how the organization views the future Hall of Famer’s future.  Harrison suffered through a lost 2007, struggling to return from a reportedly routine injury.  He wound up undergoing surgery and at age 36, there are questions about Harrison’s fire to continue playing football.

Harrison is due $16.6 million over the next two years, so he needs to prove he can get healthy and stay that way.  If the Colts draft a wide receiver early, that will be a clear indication that the Colts don’t know what to expect from Harrison.  

Gregg Rosenthal is the lead NFL writer for Rotoworld.com, co-host of the Fantasy Fix and a frequent contributor to NBCSports.com.

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