NEW YORK -- The post-draft intrigue isn't all that overwhelming in Carolina, where it's understood that Cam Newton has turned previous Panthers starting quarterback Jimmy Clausen into Jimmy Who? Likewise in Cincinnati, where it's understood that A.J. Green's arrival has turned Chad Ochocinco's departure from a demand to a done deal.
With other teams, it's a little different.
Here's a list of five:
Jacksonville Jaguars
First-round pick Blaine Gabbert clearly is the heir apparent to quarterback David Garrard, but how soon? The Jaguars have made it clear they're in no particular rush to have Gabbert move into the starting job. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter told The Florida Times-Union that the former Missouri star "doesn't have to play until he's ready." Gabbert also made a point of telling reporters that his priority was to learn from Garrard rather than take away his job. ... Will Rackley, a former Lehigh offensive lineman whom the Jaguars drafted in the third round, is expected to create some serious competition at guard and center. At 34, incumbent center Brad Meester is the oldest player on the team.
New Orleans Saints
Mark Ingram, the former Alabama standout whom the Saints made the lone running back to be chosen in the first round, is widely assumed to be an immediate replacement for Reggie Bush. Bush himself tweeted, "It's been fun New Orleans," after the Saints made Ingram the 27th overall pick. But the Saints have insisted to reporters that they don't plan to give Bush the boot. The fact is, though, that the addition of Ingram adds to an already crowded depth chart that also includes Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory. It's also highly unlikely the Saints would retain Bush for the $11.8 million he's due to receive next season.
Dallas Cowboys
By making USC's Tyron Smith the ninth overall pick, the Cowboys clearly have found a replacement for oft-injured veteran offensive tackle Marc Colombo. And the selection of Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray in the third round seemingly indicates that Marion Barber's days as part of the Cowboys' rotation at running back are numbered. Barber was expected to be released before training camp, when he was due to receive a $500,000 bonus, anyway. Now, the team has someone to insert in his place.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were fairly public in their disappointment over David Akers missing two field-goal attempts in their playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. It was later revealed that he was distracted by his daughter's illness, which seemingly left some hard feeling between Akers and the team. Sure enough, when the Eagles gave Akers a transition tag after the season -- his fifth as a Pro Bowl selection -- he refused to sign it. And now they appear to have found his replacement in Nebraska's Alex Henery, a fourth-round pick.
San Francisco 49ers
One of the neediest of the quarterback-needy teams traded up in the second round to pick Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Problem solved, right? Not so fast, according to new 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. He told reporters the team still plans to re-sign starter Alex Smith, as he said it would do before the draft, and that Smith has "the ability and the license to be the starting quarterback." But it's worth noting that Harbaugh added the following: "We believe in competition and earning out positions around here."
Follow Vic Carucci on Twitter @viccarucci
