Which Former NFL Starters May Not Make Their Team's Depth Chart in 2012?

For some players, the writing is already on the wall. Whether their team drafted a replacement or signed free agents to compete for at their position, they know their time may be up.

Each year when NFL training camps begin, there are veterans, some long-time starters for their respective teams, that are fighting for a job.

Here's a look at some of those former starters that are now battling for a roster spot.

Chad Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco came to the Patriots last season with 751 career receptions for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns as the long-time starting receiver for the Bengals. He finished last season with a disappointing 15 catches for 276 yards and one touchdown.

During the offseason the Patriots signed wide receivers: Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, Dante' Stallworth and Anthony Gonzalez (who was recently cut) to join Wes Welker, Ochocinco, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater. They also picked up Jeremy Ebert in the seventh round of the draft and added Matt Roark as an undrafted free agent.

I can't see the Patriots keeping over six wide receivers. That, combined with Ochocinco's lack of production last season, puts his job in serious jeopardy.

Tarvaris Jackson

Tarvaris Jackson started 15 games at quarterback for Seattle last season. The Seahawks must not have been too impressed as they signed free agent Matt Flynn and picked up Russell Wilson in the third round of the draft.

All three quarterbacks will be competing for the starting job. They also have on the roster Josh Portis, who made the team as a rookie last year after going undrafted.

Flynn is still a bit of an unknown, but he showed flashes when filling in for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. If Flynn wins the starting job, as he should, where would that leave Jackson?

Remember, Seattle used a third-round pick this year on Wilson. They also have a talented young quarterback in Portis. I don't see them getting rid of either of them. Would they really keep a fourth quarterback, in Jackson?

I don't think so.

Todd Heap

In his first season with the Cardinals, Todd Heap played in just 10 games, catching 24 passes for 283 yards and one touchdown. Not exactly the type of production the Cardinals were hoping for when they signed him.

Heap is in the last year of his contract with the Cardinals and just turned 32. That combined with his injury history and a disappointing 2011 season could mean trouble for his job status in Arizona.

What could help Heap is the fact that the Cardinals top tight end from last season, Jeff King, will be on crutches until the start of training camp. If King does not recover fully, the Cardinals may be forced to keep Heap around. If King does return to form on time, Heap may be sent packing.

Nate Clements

Nate Clements seems to be a name that is brought up quite often when discussing players who could be cut before the 2012 season. The 12-year vet started 15 games for the Bengals last season, and played well.

There are a couple reasons Clements could be on his way out in Cincinnati.

The first being his contract. Clements is in the final year of his contract, and counts $7.3 million against the cap.

The second reason is the fact that the Bengals drafted cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick in the first round of the draft. They re-signed Adam Jones and signed Terrence Newman and Jason Allen. The Bengals also have one of the better corners in the league, Leon Hall, returning from injury.

That's a crowded defensive backfield. One that may be saying goodbye to Nate Clements soon.

Knowshon Moreno

To call Knowshon Moreno a bust (the 12th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft) is a bit of an overstatement. He has certainly disappointed, though. His numbers have declined since a promising rookie year, and he's missed 12 games over the last two seasons.

Plus, he was busted for a DUI in February.

The way I see it, with Moreno still recovering from a torn ACL, the Broncos have three running backs ahead of him: Willis McGahee as the starter, Lance Ball as the backup and promising rookie Ronnie Hillman.

Then there's this report from the Denver Post's Lindsay Jones stating, "Moreno was a participant at the team's organized team activities and struggling to stand out in a crowded backfield."

None of that sounds good for Moreno.

Aaron Kampman

Since signing with the Jaguars in 2010 (four years for $24 million), Aaron Kampman has played in a total of 11 games in two seasons, starting eight. He tore his ACL during the 2010 season and played only three games last season.

After a third surgery to clean out his knee, there is a growing concern in Jacksonville if Kampman will ever play at the level hoped for when he signed that big contract back in 2010. He's not expected to be back on the field until some time during training camp.

Kampman's cap hit next season is $8 million. That's a lot of money for the Jags to pay a guy with a very questionable knee.

David Garrard

The Jacksonville Jaguars cut David Garrard just before the start of the 2011 season. Garrard did not sign with a team, opting to essentially take the season off. Truth is, his last couple of years in Jacksonville were below average at best.

Now he finds himself in a battle with Matt Moore, and the eighth overall pick in the draft, Ryan Tannehill, for the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback job.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross recently shared his thoughts on the QB competition:

"

I don't think they're going to rush (Ryan Tannehill) into anything. He's going to have to win the starting job. I think Matt Moore will probably be the starter, and I wish him the best.

"

So, the owner favors Matt Moore.

They may not rush Tannehill into anything, but he will surely see the field at some point this season. So the reality may be Moore and Garrard battling for a starting position that will only last for the first eight to10 weeks of the season.

The question is, how well will a below-average quarterback fare after taking a year off?

Mike Thomas

Over the last two seasons, Mike Thomas has started 24 games at wide receiver for the Jaguars. With the additions of Justin Blackmon (the fifth overall pick in the draft), Laurent Robinson and Lee Evans, it's safe to say Thomas will not be starting at receiver.

In fact, he may not even make the team.

Mark Long of the Associated Press recently tweeted: "The more I watch the Jaguars practice, the less convinced I am that WR Mike Thomas will be on roster after training camp."

Thomas has never been considered a "very good" receiver. The Jags have just had so little depth at wide receiver that Thomas was given the starting job the last two seasons.

Now that the Jags have the depth, Thomas may be out of a roster spot.

Follow Brian on Twitter @coldy4goldy.