NFL Draft 2011: 10 Current Players Who Lost the Most from the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft: Reggie Bush, Carson Palmer Among the Current Players Who Lost on Draft Day
The NFL draft is truly a special event. After years and years of hard work, the 254 players drafted are finally rewarded for their perseverance and dedication to the sport.
While the draft is an exciting time for the rookies, it can be an equally life-changing event for an NFL veteran. For every rookie drafted, another player already in the NFL is likely about to lose his job.
And even if a certain player doesn't directly lose his job, the draft can shake out in such a way in which a handful of players are hurt moving forward.
Let's take a look at the 10 current players who lost the most following the 2011 NFL draft.
K David Akers, Philadelphia Eagles
1 of 10
The pick that hurt him
K Alex Henery (No. 120)
What he lost
The Eagles pick of Henery in the fourth round could signal the end of Akers' 12-year run as Eagles kicker.
If that is the case, it's a sad end to good career in Philadelphia.
You'll remember that two missed field goals in the Eagles' home Wild Card loss to the Packers swung the tide of that game, but he was also dealing with health issues surrounding his daughter in the days leading up to the contest.
And the simple fact remains that you don't draft a kicker that high without the obvious intention of making him your placekicker. Akers will find another home in the NFL.
RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
2 of 10
The pick that hurt him
RB Mark Ingram (No. 28 overall)
What he lost
By no means do I think that Bush's days in New Orleans are 100 percent over, but Day 1 of the draft wasn't kind to his future there.
The Saints selection of Ingram in the first round means that they have a running back that can carry the ball 20-25 times a game, something Bush hasn't been since being drafted in 2005.
Bush also didn't do himself any favors after the pick was made when he immaturely tweeted about his time in New Orleans being over.
He still needs to restructure his contract to have a shot at remaining with the Saints, but Thursday's proceedings certainly weren't beneficial to his career in New Orleans.
QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
3 of 10
The pick that hurt him
QB Andy Dalton (No. 35)
What he lost
If owner Mike Brown didn't have the leverage before the draft, he certainly gained it by drafting Dalton in the second round. Now Brown can hold fast with Palmer without worrying about the quarterback position.
Either way, Palmer is most likely going to be losing the keys to what could be a much-improved offense in 2011.
A.J. Green is the most dynamic receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson; Chad Ochocinco should get one more chance in Cincinnati, and they should make a run at bringing back Cedric Benson.
Palmer might actually be fine with retiring, but the Bengals are also set moving forward without him.
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QB Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers
4 of 10
The pick that hurt him
QB Cameron Newton (No. 1 overall)
What he lost
What didn't he lose? A second-round pick just a year ago, Clausen now has to take a backseat to Newton in Carolina.
And while Clausen wasn't given anything to work with in 2010, taking Newton was a choice the Panthers had to make. He didn't show anything last season that made you think he could be something moving forward.
Clausen might start a few games next season, but he's no longer in the long-term plans of the Panthers' franchise.
WR James Jones, Green Bay Packers
5 of 10
The pick that hurt him
WR Randall Cobb (No. 64 overall)
What he lost
By taking Cobb, it's almost a certainty that the Packers won't pursue Jones once free agency starts.
He was already battling a talented receiving crew for playing time before Cobb, and Jones was never going to be able to reach his potential playing behind the likes of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver.
He'll likely get to start somewhere else, but the days of Jones catching passes from Aaron Rodgers and exploiting mismatches made by the Packers' passing game are over.
RB Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals
6 of 10
The pick that hurt him
RB Ryan Williams (No. 38)
What he lost
Are the Cardinals giving up on Wells?
A first-round pick in 2009, Wells has had an injury-plagued and unproductive start to his career in Arizona.
Tim Hightower should still have value as a third-down back, but Wells and Williams seem to have similar roles heading into next season. The Cardinals could cut Wells loose if they think Williams is the better option right away.
QB David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars
7 of 10
The pick that hurt him
QB Blaine Gabbert (No. 10)
What he lost
I didn't mind the pick from the Jaguars' point of view, and Garrard should still be the starter for 2011.
But Garrard has to be feeling a little slighted. He's taken Jacksonville to the playoffs in the past and was one win against Indianapolis away from going back in 2010, but the Jags gave him very little help in building on last season's successes.
This is a team that seems stuck between rebuilding and the playoffs, and Garrard will ultimately be the casualty of it.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
8 of 10
The pick that hurt him
CB Patrick Peterson (No. 5)
What he lost
Look, I understand that Arizona is likely going to bring in a veteran quarterback to start in 2011.
But how long are the Cardinals going to throw band-aids on a wound that obviously needs stitches?
Arizona passed on all the top quarterbacks, and a talent like Fitzgerald deserves something better than that.
With no long-term plans established at the most important position to Fitzgerald's (and the Cardinals') success, he's an obvious loser after the draft.
QB Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
9 of 10
Pick that hurt him
DE Robert Quinn (No. 14)
What he lost
Quinn was a solid value pick at 14 and should immediately help the Rams' defense, but Bradford and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels likely wanted more out of this draft.
The Rams were unable to draft one of the top receivers, and getting three solid but unspectacular targets in Lance Kendricks, Austin Pettis and Gregory Salas isn't going to revolutionize their passing game.
I think Bradford is one of the game's ascending quarterback talents, but this draft was underwhelming, and the Rams will likely face some of the same offensive limitations they faced in 2010.
QB Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles
10 of 10
Why he lost
The current labor situation kept Kolb from being traded during the draft. And until the NFL and NFLPA agree on a new CBA, Kolb will be stuck as the second string quarterback in Philadelphia.
Also because of the labor situation, a few of the best situations for Kolb to be traded to were forced to draft quarterbacks.
Minnesota, Tennessee and San Francisco all took potential franchise signal-callers, meaning Kolb likely won't be going to those cities.
He's eventually going to find a new home, but he has to be a loser after how the lockout affected him moving forward.
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