In today’s NFL it has become a new trend to not attend training camp in order to send a message. Players put their body’s on the line for less than they deserve, and want their franchises to know about it. There are five major players who have decided to roll the dice and skip training camp in search of a new contract. I am going to predict what I believe the futures of these players will be, and how these situations will be resolved.

The Players, Breakdown, and Prediction:

Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys: Elliott has been the heart and soul of the Cowboys rushing attack for the last several years. He has been that safety blanket they could turn to on short yard situations or when the needed to control game tempo. Zeke has received a ton of touches, and has piled up quite a bit of mileage for a very cheap price. Elliott understands he is one of the most important players on the team, and you could make the case their success hinges on his play. I don’t blame the young back for wanting to get paid, and he certainly deserves it with his on field achievements. However, he doesn’t have leverage as the Cowboys have two years of control, and the franchise tag in their back pocket after that. The only feasible option for Elliott is to sit out like Le’Veon Bell, but in that case he will deal with serious team fines, lose valuable playing time, and the Cowboys may refuse to move him. We see running backs get replaced all the time, and I don’t see this situation being any different. Elliott is one of the best running backs in the league, but teams are wary of committing to this position long term. The Rams re-signed Todd Gurley to a 4 year 60 million dollar deal, and they probably regret making that decision. Gurley has serious knee issues, and may never play at a 100% again. It is simply too risky to pay running backs top dollar in today’s game. The Cowboys also have to pay other vital parts of their team like Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, Jaylon Smith, and so on.

Prediction: The Cowboys trade or allow Elliott to leave via free agency

Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints: Thomas has blossomed into one of the very best receivers in the NFL. The former Ohio State product has continually improved his numbers year after year. He is by far their best weapon on offense for Drew Brees to work with. Thomas has all the tools you look for in a franchise changing wide receiver. He is a possession receiver, endzone target, big play maker, solid blocker, and always finds a way to win one on one. Another underrated quality that Thomas has is his great catching ability and low amount of drops. The Saints are in a tough position because they have no real answer but to pay Thomas. He deserves a major increase since he has developed into one of the best targets in the NFL. I see this holdout ending quickly, and ultimately the Saints are going to make Thomas a very wealthy man. I would be shocked if they decided to move him or decided against paying him. Drew Brees is 40 years old, and the window is closing so he needs all the help he can get before his time is up.

Prediction: Re-signs to a massive deal with the New Orleans Saints

Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Los Angeles Charges: The former Wisconsin Badger has been a productive player for L.A. when he is on the field. Gordon has great breakaway speed, and the ability to make a big play at any moment. He is a solid rusher, and is very reliable in the passing game as well. Gordon is the perfect example of the multidimensional running backs that teams crave for across the league. The biggest issue with Melvin is the fact he cannot stay on the field. The running back has been injured when the team has needed him most. This is beyond his control, but plays a factor in his future on whether he gets paid or not. Unlike the other holdouts, Gordon hasn’t been as productive or vital to the organizations success. Gordon is a very good running back who is wanting to be paid like a great running back. I understand Melvin’s decision to get paid while he can especially with his injury history. However, if I am the Chargers, I am not committing to Melvin Gordon long term. The risk is simply too high, and will only get worse as more miles and age are added. I also feel that they have solid backup options like Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. They can always draft another running back in the future as well. The risk outweighs the reward in this case, and I believe the Chargers feel the same way.

Prediction: The Chargers trade or let Gordon walk via free agency

Yannick Ngakoue, Defensive End, Jacksonville Jaguars: Ngakoue has become one of the most consistently productive pass rushers in the NFL. He has tallied up a total of 29.5 sacks in three years in his young NFL career, and is constantly racking up the quarterback pressure numbers. Ngakoue is also solid against the run, and is yet to hit his prime as he is only 24 years old. Yannick is wanting to get paid like other major pass rushers like Demarcus Lawrence, Khalil Mack, and Aaron Donald. Ngakoue may not be as dominant as these pass rushers, but is very close to their level when you look at the numbers. Elite pass rushers are hard to come by, and can have a profound impact on the game in many ways. The Jaguars know how good Ngakoue is, and I feel it is in their best interest to pay him what he deserves. I see both sides finding a way to get a deal done at some point. Losing a young talented pass rusher could be a huge blow to the Jaguars defense.

Prediction: The Jaguars re-sign Yannick Ngakoue to a major deal.

Trent Williams, Offensive Tackle, Washington Redskins: Williams has long been one of the best, dominant, and most consistent pass blockers in the NFL. He is a seven time pro bowler, and has long been one of the stand out leaders for Washington. The relationship has hit tough times because the team is refusing to pay Williams a major contract he deserves. At one point this offseason, Trent actually requested the team to trade him if an extension wasn’t on the table. I believe Washington is hesitant to shell out the big bucks because of Williams’s age and injury history. This is a man that has missed several games over the last couple of years, and his age could impact his ability to stay healthy. However, if the Redskins are serious about Dwayne Haskins being the cornerstone of their franchise they have to have bodies to protect him. Washington going out and signing other offensive tackles in free agency is a sign they are preparing for life after Williams. This team is possibly on the cusp of going through a rebuild, and are unlikely to tie up their cap space in an aging pass blocker. I do believe there will be a very strong market if the Redskins decide to make a trade for Williams.

Prediction: The Redskins will trade or allow Trent Williams to leave via free agency.

Photo Credit: https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2019/7/27/8932635/report-ezekiel-elliott-seen-on-friday-at-plano-restaurant