2012 NFL Starters Who Will Be Backups in 2013

A starting job in the NFL is far from being guaranteed year after year. In fact, some starting jobs can be on a week-to-week basis.

So, just because a player started during the 2012 season doesn't mean he's slated to be the starter for the 2013 season. While some of the following players lost their jobs right after the NFL draft, others will likely lose them during training camp or the preseason.

Here's a look at 2012 starters who'll be backups this upcoming season.

Daryn Colledge, OG, Arizona Cardinals

Replaced By: Jonathan Cooper

The Arizona Cardinals boasted one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last year. They ranked dead last in the league according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in both run-blocking and pass-blocking.

So, it was no surprise when they used the seventh overall pick of the 2013 NFL draft to take quite possibly the most talented offensive lineman in Cooper. The 2012 starter that Cooper will replace is seven-year veteran Daryn Colledge.

While Colledge wasn't terrible, Cooper has the potential and ability to be an All-Pro in his first year. This is a great replacement move for the Cardinals, and one that will pay off immediately in a positive way.

Andre Roberts, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Replaced By: Michael Floyd

One of the biggest disappointments of the 2012 draft class was Floyd. He only recorded 45 receptions, 562 yards and two touchdowns.

While some of that falls on the shoulders of the Arizona Cardinals' quarterbacks, but most of the problem started with Floyd. His struggles were a big reason why Andre Roberts was once again the No. 2 receiver in Arizona. 

However, now with Carson Palmer as the starer for the Cardinals, Floyd has the perfect opportunity to jump ahead of Roberts on the depth chart. In fact, Floyd has already started to do that during OTAs, where he has played with the first team more than Roberts, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.

Look for Floyd to continue to make big strides and become the receiver the Cardinals thought he was when they drafted him so high during last year's draft.

Gabe Carimi, OT/OG, Chicago Bears

Replaced By: Kyle Long

Gabe Carimi has had one strange journey since he entered the NFL. After being a highly-touted offensive tackle prospect, Carimi missed the majority of his rookie season due to a knee injury.

This past season, Carimi started the year at right tackle before being moved to right guard in Week 12. He played relatively well there for a handful of games and many expected him to start at guard during the 2013 season.

However, the Chicago Bears drafted Long in the first round, and he was supposed to give Carimi some competition at the guard position. Unfortunately, Carimi was the only Chicago player to miss the first day of OTAs, giving Long an opening to his starting job.

Unless Carimi shows incredible improvement throughout training camp and the preseason, his starting job will be Long's during the 2013 season.

Terence Newman, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Replaced By: Dre Kirkpatrick

Despite the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals re-signed Terence Newman this offseason, they didn't re-sign him as a starter.

No, the starting cornerback job opposite Leon Hall will belong to Kirkpatrick, who is entering his second year. Kirkpatrick missed the majority of his rookie season due to a number of injuries.

However, he was expected to be the a starting cornerback when he was drafted last year, and now that he's finally getting healthy, he should start over Newman this year.

Ryan Cook, C, Dallas Cowboys

Replaced By: Travis Frederick

The Dallas Cowboys brought Ryan Cook over from the Miami Dolphins before the start of the 2012 season. In his lone season in Dallas, Cook ranked as the 19th-best center last year according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Clearly the Cowboys thought they needed up upgrade at center because they spent their first-round pick on Fredrick. As surprising as this pick was, it appears that the Cowboys at least found a starter with their first-round pick as Todd Archer of ESPNDallas said on Twitter.

As long as Frederick doesn't get injured or completely get lost while playing with the starters, the starting job is all but his.

Willis McGahee, RB, Denver Broncos

Replaced By: Montee Ball

The Denver Broncos have never been known as a team that holds on to running backs for a number of years. They'll re-stock through the draft until they find a player they're happy with for a few years and then replace him.

In recent years, the Broncos have drafted Knowshon Moreno, Ronnie Hillman and Ball, as well as brought in McGahee. While McGahee was a serviceable back last year, he doesn't project as the starter this upcoming season.

In fact, McGahee hasn't even been with the team during OTAs so far this offseason. While Moreno and Hillman will give Ball a run for his money as the starter, the job ultimately belongs to the rookie out of Wisconsin.

He's certainly talented enough and has the ability to make plays in both the run and pass game. One option that Denver could choose to go with is to release McGahee and give the majority of the ball-carrying duties to Ball.

However it plays out, look for Ball to make a huge impact as the starter for the Broncos this year.

James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers

Replaced By: DuJuan Harris, Eddie Lacy or Johnathan Franklin

It isn't quite clear who is going to make James Starks a backup for the Green Bay Packers. However, it is certainly clear that he's most definitely lost all chances of being the starting running back.

Whether it's Harris, Lacy or Franklin that replaces him is still up in the air. Each of those three players makes a strong case to be the primary back in Green Bay based on their specific strengths and weaknesses.

However, the likely scenario is that the three-headed monster of Harris, Lacy and Franklin will all contribute to replace Starks. Neither player will be an every-down back, but with combine to give the Packers the ground game they lacked last year with Starks.

Jared Odrick, DE, Miami Dolphins

Replaced By: Dion Jordan

There was speculation after the draft that Jordan would play linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, but Armando Salguero at The Miami Herald cleared that up when he said the team is definitely playing Jordan at defensive end.

While the Dolphins could use Jordan as a third-down pass-rusher, he's simply too talented to be limited to that small of a role. He's versatile enough to be a three-down defensive end considering his ability to make plays against the run and in pass coverage.

With Jordan starting opposite Cameron Wake, that'll put last year's starting defensive end Jared Odrick to a reserve role for the 2013 season. This is probably good news for Miami since Odrick graded out as the fourth-worst 4-3 defensive end last year according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Jordan has as much potential as any other rookie entering the league this year, and he should get plenty of playing time right away to show it off.

Roman Harper, SS, New Orleans Saints

Replaced By: Kenny Vaccaro

The New Orleans Saints haven't had a safety as talented as Vaccaro since Darren Sharper was roaming the secondary. That's how good Vaccaro is, so you can guarantee that the Saints are going to want get him on the field as early as possible.

Vaccaro is talented enough to play both safety positions, and it's possible that he could see time at both during his rookie season. However, he's most likely to spend the majority of his time replacing the older Roman Harper.

Harper was absolutely horrid last year, ranking as the second worst safety in the league according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He was at his worse in pass coverage, giving up a 101 quarterback rating when quarterbacks threw his way.

The best part of Vaccaro's game is his ability in pass coverage, so that will be an instant upgrade for the Saints' defense. Overall, Vaccaro should bring a lot more athleticism and talent to the field in 2013 as a starter, while Harper plays the backup role.

Mark Sanchez, QB, New York Jets

Replaced By: Geno Smith

At this point in Mark Sanchez's career, I don't really think it's necessary to explain too deeply why he should be a backup in 2013. I mean, we could start with his career statistics of 69 interceptions to only 68 touchdowns, or his 55.1 career completion percentage.

Or we could break down the "butt fumble" and all of its glory. Simply put, it's time for Sanchez to no longer be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. That's why they drafted Smith in the second round.

Sanchez seems content to give his job to Smith, throwing three interceptions during OTAs a few weeks ago. Smith definitely has the maturity and skill set to start from day one for the Jets.

New offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has said he wants the quarterback competition over before training camp, so don't be surprised to hear that Sanchez has been made a backup sooner than later.

Khalif Barnes, OT, Oakland Raiders

Replaced By: Menelik Watson

Khalif Barnes took over for Willie Smith halfway through the season last year. While he didn't play superbly, he did play way better than Smith, who was one of the worst tackles in the league before being replaced.

The Oakland Raiders drafted Menelik Watson, an offensive tackle with a huge amount of upside, with the thoughts he'd contribute in a few years. However, as Vic Tafur of The San Francisco Chronicle points out, Watson looks poised to take over for Barnes right away.

Watson has the potential to become a top-tier tackle, and it appears that he'll be able to show it off from day one for the Raiders.

Leonard Johnson, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Replaced By: Darrelle Revis

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a lot to improve their secondary over the past few seasons, but none was bigger than trading for Revis. 

There is no doubt that Revis will be slotted in at one of the starting cornerback spots. The only question is who will he ultimately replace at cornerback from last year's starting roster. 

The two starters were Leonard Johnson and Eric Wright. While Johnson was a little better over the course of last year, Wright actually projects as keeping his job in 2013. 

Look for Revis to start opposite Wright and push Johnson to the bench this upcoming season.