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#3 Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
Julio Jones emerged as one of the best wide receivers in recent NFL history, during his time with the Atlanta Falcons. He was the No.6 overall pick in 2011, and has made five All-Pro teams since then.
However, Jones is now a member of the Tennessee Titans after being traded there last NFL offseason. He has dealt with injuries all season, and will turn 33 in February. Unfortunately, his future does not appear bright after such a great decade of play.
Jones, of course, was part of the biggest collapse in Super Bowl history when his Falcons blew a 28-3 lead against the New England Patriots. It is hard to get so close and come away without a win, but that game may end up being his best shot.
The Titans are a legitimate NFL contender in 2021, yet the AFC is so wide open that there remains a good chance Jones may not get a ring this season. If that is the case, the team could move on from him next offseason.
#2 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Christian McCaffrey is a tough player to include on this list, but he is not a misfit. The Carolina Panthers running back is only 25, but has barely played in the last two NFL seasons due to injury.
He achieved a superstar label during All-Pro seasons in 2018 and 2019. So it is fair for fans to feel robbed since then. Injury concerns are why McCaffrey lands on this list. That is because he may have trouble finding another contract once his current extension comes to an end.
In fact, McCaffrey almost serves as a cautionary tale for NFL teams not to pay top runners big money. At the same time, he is on a Panthers team without much of an answer at quarterback. The timing may not line up, and a once promising career could be cut short with McCaffrey without winning a ring.
#1 Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr is a three-time Pro Bowler, and is approaching 200 career passing touchdowns. Only 46 players in NFL history have ever reached that mark.
Unfortunately for Carr, it is difficult to see him winning a Super Bowl in his career. He owns a long list of franchise records, but the team has never won a playoff game with Carr at quarterback. The franchise is stuck in the middle of the AFC, and it is always going to be difficult for Carr and the Raiders to overtake Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
One way that could change is if Carr goes the Matthew Stafford route and gets traded to a contender. However, if he commits to Las Vegas, his career may be one where he goes down as a Raiders legend only for his performances in the NFL regular season.
