2015 NFL Season: Jarvis Jones Leads Make-or-Break Players

Sep 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) celebrates a tackle against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

There are a host of players around the NFL this season that are desperately clinging to their jobs, hoping they can deliver a good enough year to stave off being replaced by their respective teams. Which big names are in the most danger?

Jay Cutler (QB, Chicago Bears)

It’s amazing what being able to throw a football a long way can do for staying power in a quarterback. In truth though Jay Cutler had some decent years in Chicago but his time runs short for a variety of reasons including injury concerns, erratic decision-making and an overall air of pessimism that has follow him for years. This new Bears regime is unlikely to be one he can kill. Either he puts together a good enough season in 2015 or they go hunting for his replacement.

Justin Hunter (WR, Tennessee Titans)

Things really aren’t going well for both top receivers out of that 2013 Tennessee draft class. Cordarrelle Patterson is floundering in Minnesota while Justin Hunter tries to fend off increased competition nipping at his heels with the Titans. In two seasons he’s missed six games with injury problems. He’s flashed his talent at times but can never string good games together. He better make best friends with Marcus Mariota, otherwise he could be dismissed as another unfortunate Titans bust at wide receiver.

Trent Richardson (RB, Oakland Raiders)

Pretty much everybody has written Trent Richardson off. It’s understandable. In stints with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts, the former #3 overall pick has never lived up to his billing. In fact he’s never averaged 4.0 yards per carry for a season. Not even close in fact. Did a lot of it have to due with being in bad systems? That’s hard to argue based on the tape. Still, the Oakland Raiders have a long history of reclamation projects on their record. Maybe, just maybe playing under the watchful eye of Jack Del Rio is what he’s been looking for. Otherwise he’s out of the league by 2016.

Jarvis Jones (OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers)

The drafting of Alvin Dupree was a clear shot across the bow for Jarvis Jones. His own 1st round tag won’t protect him anymore after a bad rookie season and then an injury robbing him of most of his second. The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t afford to wait on him forever. If he can’t put together at least a decent year this 2015 NFL season, they may feel obligated to cut the cord in favor of somebody who can help the team.

Brandon Carr (CB, Dallas Cowboys)

Orlando Scandrick is the main man for the Dallas Cowboys now and rookie 1st round pick Byron Jones enters the building as well. The walls certainly seemed to be squeezing in on Brandon Carr from all angles. Once considered a top cornerback on the market, his play has degraded every year since he arrived on the team. Last year may have been his bottoming out. Carr finished with just 54 tackles, a sack and no interceptions or forced fumbles. This despite starting every single game. Unless he rebounds this year, that bloated contract of his will get him shipped out.

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