Maurice Jones Drew and Three Other Major NFL Holdouts Still Not in Camp

One of the many things that makes this time great in the NFL is every team is alive and in the hunt. No one has been eliminated. No one has lost or won. Everyone has an even shot at winning the big one (at least in theory).

Every team has added players either through the draft, trades, or free agency; and they have all lost players. Until we see the latest version line up in September we don't know how good or bad some teams may be.What we do know is that a team can't get better if it doesn't have all its pieces in training camp.

With at least a week of training camp under the collective belts of every team there are four players who have yet to join their teams:

Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Wallace thinks that after catching 132 passes for 2,450 yards and 18 TDs the last two seasons he is worth more than the $2.7 million he is scheduled to make. The Steelers were more than happy to give Antonio Brown a bump in pay after his 69 catch, 1100+ yard season, but not Wallace. As a restricted free agent he does not have a whole lot of wiggle room here.

He could hold out till the Tuesday after Week 10 and become an unrestricted free agent next season making it easier for him to pick where he plays. The smart money would be in proving he's a stud and worth a hefty contract. Two seasons don't do it; a third would. The key may be in how well Emmanuel Sanders does during preseason action.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs: Bowe is an elite talent and he knows it. As the only real receiving threat that the Chiefs have teams have game-planned for him since he came into the league in 2007. He still has more than 1000 yards in three of five seasons, and has averaged seven touchdowns a season.

The Chiefs have tried to show him some love by placing the franchise tag on him meaning he'll earn a cool $9.5 million this season. He wants a long-term extension though. Like Wallace he could hold out till the Tuesday after Week 10, but the team could still hit him with the franchise tag next season. Like Wallace he might be better off reporting and making sure the Chiefs regret not signing him now by dominating this season.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: With the slotted system negotiated for rookies in the new CBA it is kind of surprise that there is still a rookie holdout. Had Blackmon not been busted for drunk driving recently he probably would be signed already. However, since he did get busted and narrowly got out of serious trouble on a similar charge the year before while still in college, the Jaguars want to include some safeguards in his contract. Since that will mean less money or less guaranteed money for him Blackmon has resisted.

As a rookie he needs to be in camp and learning how to play the game at the professional level. On a team like the Jaguars he has the chance to shine. The team has been starved for wide receivers that can actually catch for years. With 223 catches, almost 3200 yards, and 36 touchdowns his last two years in college the chances are good he'll thrive as a pro too. If he doesn't get his behind into camp it might be a while before we are able to find out.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: MJD has two years left on a $31 million dollar contract. Is he worth more than what he's scheduled to be paid? Absolutely! Do the Jaguars have to pay him anymore than they are scheduled to? Absolutely not! It may not be fair, but it is part of the business of the NFL.

MJD is the face of the franchise and new owner Shahid Khan is not doing himself or his team any favors at this point. They need to have their star player in camp. Khan sees the business aspect of it all, but he needs to be looking ahead. He needs to find a way to throw MJD a bone and give him some more money, much like the Titans did with Chris Johnson. If he doesn't, the Jags may be looking to emulate what the Colts did last season.