2011 NFL Predictions: 25 Veterans Who Will Be Cut Before the End of Camp

Training camp is the most brutal part of being in the National Football League. The three-week camp is a nightmare for players, especially those veterans who have been through the rigorous routine at least 10 times before.

Thankfully, the 25 players on the next 25 slides likely won't have to worry about going through the routine of training camp again. They likely won't make it out of this year's training camp. 

Kevin Faulk, RB, New England Patriots

Since his selection in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft, running back Kevin Faulk has given the Patriots everything that he has.

He set the franchise's all-time record for all-purpose yards, and he played a key role in the three Super Bowl titles.

But he is 35 now, which is as old as a running back ever should be. He missed almost all of 2010 with a torn ACL.

The Patriots just drafted running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley in the second and third round, which, when factoring in BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, should put Faulk out of a job.

Sammy Morris, RB, New England Patriots

Sammy Morris is in the exact same boat as teammate Kevin Faulk. A second-round pick in 2000, Morris is 34 years old and carried the ball just 20 times in the entire 2010 season.

Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Vereen and Ridley should signal the end of Morris's time in New England. 

Andra Davis, LB, Buffalo Bills

Davis, 33, is the oldest defensive player on the Buffalo Bills. He played in just six games last season, starting four, and the team has five new rookie linebackers on their roster.

Davis may need to look for a new team.

Cory Redding, DE, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have already cut three established veterans on their team this offseason: Kelly Gregg, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap. 

Redding, who turns 31 this season, didn't have a great season in 2010 and could be replaced before the 2011 season begins.

Brendon Ayanbadejo, LB, Baltimore Ravens

Brendan Ayanbadejo turns 35 years old in a few weeks. While he is a key special teams player, he doesn't start at linebacker and has played in just 14 games in the past two seasons.

Cutting Ayanbadejo would fit the mold for the Ravens this offseason. 

Juqua Parker, DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Parker, 33, is the oldest player on the Philadelphia Eagles, a team with a reputation for having one of the youngest rosters in the National Football League.

He has been a solid contributor for the past six seasons, but the addition of prized free agent DE Jason Babin, as well as the emergence of CFL superstar Philip Hunt in training camp, could signal the end of Parker's time in Philadelphia.

Joselio Hanson, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles love Hanson enough to pay him as a starting cornerback even though he is the team's nickel back, and head coach Andy Reid has said that Hanson could start in this league.

But the addition of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, plus Asante Samuel, mean that Hanson is no longer the team's nickel back.

Trevard Lindley, a fourth-round pick from 2010, showed potential last season, and Curtis Marsh, a third-round pick this year, is a lock to make the team. If Hanson stays, that means the Eagles will be carrying six cornerbacks.

Will they?

Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Even though the Eagles just signed Higgins to a one-year deal, there is no guarantee that he will make the team's roster this season.

DeSean Jackson still hasn't reported (but he will), Jeremy Maclin came to camp today, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper are third and fourth, and Higgins will compete with veteran Sinorice Moss, last year's fifth wide receiver in Chad Hall and rookie free agent DeAndre Brown for the final wide receiver spot. 

He has a much better chance of making the team as a punt returner. 

Arnaz Battle, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Battle, 31, did not catch a pass with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. 

Simply put, why keep him around for 2011?

Chris Hoke, NT, Pittsburgh Steelers

Hoke has been the backup nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers for a few seasons. But he is 35 years old and has contributed exactly eight tackles to the team in the past two seasons.

Maybe the team needs to find a younger replacement for Hoke. 

Michael Clayton, WR, New York Giants

A former first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Michael Clayton played in six games last season, catching two passes for 19 yards.

He should be buried on the depth chart behind quality receivers like Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon and likely won't be on the team in 2011.  

Keith Brooking, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Brooking, who turns 36 this season, has played in more than 160 consecutive regular season games. He has been a solid starter for the Cowboys for his two seasons in Dallas.

But if Dallas wanted to improve its atrocious defense by going young, cutting Brooking wouldn't be completely out of the question. 

Vonnie Holliday, DE, Arizona Cardinals

Holliday was just traded to the Cardinals and likely will be on the roster this season.

However, I wouldn't blame Arizona if it didn't want a 36-year-old defensive end who hasn't started since 2008 on its roster in 2011. 

Mike Sellers, FB, Washington Redskins

The soon to be 36-year-old fullback might have a year left in his career.

The Redskins would be wise to cut him before 2011. Then again, they're likely going to finish last with or without Sellers. 

Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay Packers

Driver is almost 36 and has been a Green Bay Packer since what seems like forever. It would be a shame for him to not be a part of a run at a Super Bowl title in 2011.

But he declined significantly in 2010 and the Packers are loaded at receiver with Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson.

I think he's about a 50-50 to make the team.  

Brian Dawkins, FS, Denver Broncos

Dawkins is going to be 38 years old in 2011 and missed five games last season with injuries.

Even though the Denver Broncos won't be a winning team anyway in 2011, they need to improve their defense, and the future Hall of Fame safety is no longer playing like a future Hall of Fame safety. 

Jason Hanson, K, Detroit Lions

Hanson is a two-time Pro Bowler. He also holds the NFL record for most 50-yard field goals (45).

However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury last year. When a 40-year-old kicker injures his knee and misses eight games, it's probably time for him to retire.

Plus the Lions are going to be fighting for a playoff spot this season. They need a kicker who can win games. Dave Raynor is on their roster, and he should be their guy this season instead of Hanson. 

Michael Bennett, RB, Oakland Raiders

Bennett ran a 4.13 in the 40-yard dash but has been an enormous disappointment in the NFL after the Minnesota Vikings selected him with the 27th pick in the 2001 draft.

He's carried just 842 times in his career and hasn't topped 100 since 2005.

He carried twice for 11 yards with the Raiders last season. There's no future for this 32-year-old back.

Aaron Maybin, LB, Buffalo Bills

Maybin isn't really a veteran, as he is entering his third season. 

In two seasons, he's played in 26 games and collected 14 tackles. He started once. He is one of the biggest first-round draft busts in league history and should be cut before 2011.

Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans

Slaton was a third-round pick in 2008 and rushed for 1,282 yards as a rookie.

But injuries and a lack of productivity have derailed his career. He rushed just 19 times last season. With the emergence of Arian Foster, there's no room for Slaton on the team. 

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Gonzalez has had season-ending injuries for each of the past two seasons, as in, he has caught exactly five passes in the past two seasons.

The Colts can plug in anybody at wide receiver and make him look good. They don't need to wait around for a player who can't stay healthy. 

Bernard Berrian, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Berrian, 30, is an old and fairly unproductive wide receiver on a team that desperately needs some young talent.

Sidney Rice left this offseason but Michael Jenkins and Devin Aromashodu were brought in to replace him. That should knock Berrian one peg down the depth chart.

Chaz Schilens, WR, Oakland Raiders

Schilens caught just five passes for 40 yards and a touchdown last season. He has only 49 catches for 631 yards and five touchdowns in his career.

The Raiders don't have great receivers, but they do have Louis Murphy, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jacoby Ford. There's no need for Schilens.  

Patrick Crayton, WR, San Diego Chargers

Crayton, 32, caught just 28 passes for 514 yards and a touchdown last season, while starting only two games. 

He should be buried on the depth charts and cut before training camp ends. 

Isaac Sopoaga, NT/DE, San Francisco 49ers

Sopoaga has started the last 48 games at defensive end and has collected 3.5 total sacks.

The 49ers drafted defensive end Aldon Smith with the seventh overall pick, meaning Sopoaga won't be starting next season. 

Sopoaga has been around since 2004 but has never even been a good player.