9 NFL Veterans Who Could Lose Their Jobs to 2017 Rookies

​Darren Sproles

It’s baffling to see players like Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles -- a 5’6”, former fourth-round draft pick in 2005, and now turning 34 -- still thriving in the National Football League. Sproles’ versatility has been key to his longevity. In 2016, he toted the rock for 0.06 Rushing NEP per attempt (17th-best among 69 backs with at least 50 carries) and added 0.24 Reception NEP per target (fifth-least among 21 backs with at least 50 targets).

He may have finally hit a wall, however, a wall that goes by the name of Donnel Pumphrey. Pumphrey is a similarly slight 5’8”, 177 pounds and was selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Pumphrey never caught more than 30 balls in any year in college, but that’s mainly because he was too busy running an average of 265 times.

His receiving chops -- not to mention the presence of the returning Wendell Smallwood -- make Sproles’ hold on his roster spot a tenuous one.