5 Hawks veterans whose jobs may be at risk after the NFL draft

Philadelphia - Like every draft class, some veterans are technically attracted to people’s attention and have potential challengers’ work.

Even though the Hawks defended the Super Bowl title, it was no different. They selected 10 players in the NFL draft from April 24 to 26, and seven unselected free agents.

Obviously, the Hawks are deeper than most teams, so they don’t necessarily need to play immediately. With 8 out of 10 draft picks coming out in 4-7 rounds, most people may not be ready to do so.

But, as we saw last season, the Hawks made a big contribution to the top three draft picks for cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who immediately became the starter. Nickel Cooper Dejean became a full-time player in Week 6; Edge Rusher Jalyx Hunt became a big part of the spin in the second half of the season.

So first-round draft pick Jihaad Campbell could have a direct impact on defender and Edge Rusher right away - assuming he was ready for the first week after having a shoulder surgery in March. Second-round draft pick Drew Mukuba can find a significant role in safety or nickel. If it is nickel, then Dejean may move to the outer corner.

But other draft picks can play a role, too. Fourth-round draft pick Ty Robinson can play a role in defensive tackle rotation. If Campbell and Nakobe Dean (knee) aren't ready yet, five-rounder Smiel Mondon can play.

If the injury strikes, it may take one of three offensive wingers in the fifth (center/back Drew Kendall) or the sixth round (Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams). The role may also be found in the fifth round cornerback Mac McWilliams and the sixth round Antwaun Powell-Ryland.

"We want to increase the competition for this team," Hawks general manager Howie Roseman said of the third day draft pick. "We feel like if we ride multiple darts in positions where we like players, it increases our chances of hitting one of the players."

Well, here are five veterans who may cause notice – their draft picks can be replaced:

I'll be Lynn, Linbeck

Dean has by far the best season of his career last season, with 128 tackles. But Dean tore his teller tendon in a playoff against Green Bay last January, and it's very likely he won't be ready for Week 1. Expect Campbell to start there until Dean is ready to return to Edge Rusher.

But beware of Monden, who replaced Dean in Georgia after being selected by the Hawks in 2022. Dean is signing his last season in his contract. The Hawks have given Zack Baun the highest market contract, so it is unlikely that the Hawks will pay him and Dean. Not on the list of Campbell, Monden and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

"Nakobe is like my brother," Monden said. "I came to Georgia as a freshman and saw Nakobe win Butkus, and I've been looking up to him for many years. So it's nice to get here and have him still lead me.

Jahan Dotson, a wide range of receivers

The Hawks' third-time receiver's job in blocking and extending the fields of stars AJ Brown and Devonta Smith and the tight-fitting Dallas Goedert is that he has agreed to a contract to re-job that will keep him in his position for the 2025 season.

Of course, there are occasional deep balls, as Dosen dragged in 27 yards early in the Super Bowl.

But Dosen had only 19 catches last season with 216 after the Hawks traded for him in August. It's no surprise that the Hawks didn't choose Dotson's fifth year option, meaning he can be a free agent after this season.

The Hawks have Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson of the 2024 drafters into their second season and can play a bigger role in the offense. The Hawks also signed free agent Terrace Marshall, the second round of the Panthers draft in 2021, and have played in just 16 games in the past two seasons. Therefore, at least there should be a competitive role.

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Bryce Huff, Fringe Charge

Huff did not automatically return to the Fringe Stormtrooper rotation after Huff left in free agency and Brandon Graham retired. Eagles, who signed a three-year deal worth up to $51.1 million in March 2024, is a healthy scratch in the Super Bowl. He only had 2.5 sacks last season.

The Eagles replaced Graham's sweat by signing veterans Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. Ojulari is a lock that rotates with Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt.

The fourth place can go to Virginia Tech's Uche, Huff or Powell-Reyland last season. The NFL is clearly a big step for college, especially for someone like Powell-Ryland, who considers a 6-foot-3-foot-258 pounds tall.

Again, it's hard to ignore production, especially if he can move it to the NFL.

Reed Blankenship, safe

Is it possible that Blankenheim will lose his start work sometime this season? After all, he has been a full-time starter since 2023 after being a vacancier free agent a year ago. However, over the past two seasons, the Hawks have drafted two early safety issues at Sydney Brown (third round, 2023) and Mukuba.

Blankenship enters the final year of the contract. Brown is a wildcard because he only started one game on safety in two seasons, not even the third safety of last season. If Brown can prove that he was from the torn afflicted ACL suffered in January 2024, and Mukuba proves that he deserves a place, the Hawks may decide to move on from Blankenship and move the position to Mukuba and Brown.

When is the question?

Tyler Steen/Kenyon Green, right back

A year ago, it was thought that Steen would take over right-back Cam Jurgens, who started there in 2023 before moving to the center to replace Jason Kelce. But a professional tackle Mekhi Becton signed on a one-year contract won the job.

The Hawks' third-round pick Steen is expected to be the leader again this year. The Hawks then traded safe CJ Gardner-Johnson to Houston and secured defender Kenyon Green, the 2022 Texans' first-round draft pick.

Green was disappointed in Houston. But is there a chance to play next to Lane Johnson and learn his potential from offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland?

Or could Kendall draft as a center to win both of their work? The Hawks listed Kendall as center/back, and Kendall admitted that the Hawks talked about the game there.

"You have to add value to the team, so the more you can do, the better," Kendall said. "No matter what the coach asks me to do, I will do it as much as possible."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow x @mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles Championship season in Flying High, a new hardcover coffee table from Delaware/News Magazine. Details are available on fly.champsbook.com