The NFL's most disappointing players in 2019

There is a wise, old saying about how you can't be disappointed if you never have any expectations. Whoever came up with that thought doesn’t live in the hyper-critical world of 2019, where Twitter feeds and Instagram likes are life. Disappointment hits us like a ton of bricks every day. Life comes at you fast and so does the NFL season.

5. Ezekiel Elliott

Considering Ezekiel Elliott is one of three guys in the history of the NFL that have led the league in rushing yards per game in their first three seasons, this was supposed to be an historic season for the former Ohio State star. I had it all planned out: Zeke rushes for over 2,000 yards, scores at least 30 touchdowns, the Cowboys go to the Super Bowl and I cash my MVP futures tickets on Zeke at 75/1. It was all so simple.

But with his contract holdout undoubtedly a factor, Zeke has gotten off to a relatively slow start as Dallas has hit some road blocks under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore during their current three-game losing streak. Despite the struggles, Zeke still ranks sixth in rushing so far this season, so all is not lost.

But as long as Jerry Jones continues to stick by his company man, Jason Garrett, Dallas will unfortunately continue to suffer under the Jeff Fisher curse of mediocrity. For the sake of Zeke, Dak, and the rest of this talented Cowboys roster, it’s time for Jones to make a change. Call me crazy, but I think young gun defensive backs coach Kris Richard is the spark this team needs to make the elusive Super Bowl run Jones and Cowboys fans have been dreaming about for decades now.

4. Mitch Trubisky

Considering no one outside of the Bears front office actually expects anything from the former #2 overall pick, it may be unfair to include Mitch Trubisky on this list. But I can’t resist the chance to let out some frustration on a dude that continues to hold back a team that has such a talented defense.

It still hurts my brain that a franchise could trade two third-round picks and a fourth-round selection to move up one spot to draft a guy that sat on the bench for two years at UNC because he couldn’t beat out Marquise Williams for the starting job. With all that said, Trubisky showed flashes in the second half in the Bears’ devastating double-doink loss to the Eagles in the playoffs last year, so hopefully he comes back from his scary shoulder injury this season and Matt Nagy works his magic to turn Mitchell (as his Mom likes to call him) into an adequate NFL quarterback.

3. Baker Mayfield

Kids, Baker Mayfield’s 2019 season is a good example of what happens when you buy an expensive new car without checking the CARFAX, or marrying that beautiful woman after a few dates. Eventually, those short-sighted decisions will leave you on the side of the road with a broken down car, an empty wallet, and your mother on the other end of the phone telling you, “I told you she was no good!”

For all of Baker’s flaws (he’s currently leading the league in INTs with 11), his struggles this season ultimately center around an offensive line that couldn’t start in the XFL and a rookie head coach that’s clearly in over his head. I love Baker and the moxie and passion he brings to the game and John Dorsey deserves a ton of credit for assembling such a talented roster in Cleveland, but this Browns team is a classic example of how important the fundamentals are in all sports. Football starts with the Big Uglies up front and as beautiful as this Cleveland roster is, it needs to get a lot uglier if the Browns want to reach their full potential.

2. Cam Newton

Maybe Paul Finebaum was onto something. Although I don’t entirely agree with the ESPN commentator’s hot take from several weeks ago, it’s now entirely possible that Carolina could choose to move on from the face of the franchise. Kyle Allen has taken the league by storm, as he’s now the first quarterback in NFL history to win his first five starts without throwing an interception. Pretty damn impressive. So impressive that the Panthers may decide to trade their $21M starting quarterback and start over with the former Texas A&M QB.

Even if Newton’s days in Carolina are indeed numbered, the 30-year-old still seems to have a lot of football in him even if the injuries are starting to pile up. There’s never been a lack of drama with Newton, so why should the twilight of his career be any different?

1. Jared Goff

I’ve gone on record many times saying Jared Goff would be a bust if it weren’t for the genius of Sean McVay. And although that’s perhaps a bit too harsh, during the Rams’ current three-game losing streak, the $134M man has thrown four interceptions, fumbled three times (losing two of them), been sacked six times and is coming off a game where he threw for 78 yards. Also, let’s not forget that dud of a performance he put on in the Super Bowl when Professor Belichick gave Goff and McVay a humbling lesson on championship football.

It’s hard to imagine McVay not eventually figuring things out, but new teammate Jalen Ramsey had it about right when saying the California Golden Boy was “average to above average.” And with each passing game, it’s becoming more evident that the former No. 1 overall pick is indeed just average mixed in with a bunch of empty stats and hollow hype.

---

Bet on all Week 7 NFL action now at BetAmerica!