Not every NFL career is built to last, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t leave a mark. Some players came out of nowhere, lit the league on fire for a single season, and then vanished into football folklore just as quickly.
These 15 one-year wonders made us believe they were the next big thing—until reality set in. But no matter how brief their time in the spotlight was, we’ll always remember the magic they delivered for that one unforgettable year.
15. LaRon Landry, S, Washington
Landry was an absolute menace in 2010, combining freakish athleticism with a linebacker’s attitude in the secondary. Unfortunately, injuries and a suspension kept him from ever recapturing that form.
14. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
Hillis bulldozed his way into Madden cover fame in 2010 with over 1,600 total yards and 13 touchdowns. He never came close to that production again and quickly became the face of the “Madden Curse.”
13. Gary Barnidge, TE, Cleveland Browns
In 2015, Barnidge shocked the world with a Pro Bowl season, racking up over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. Before and after that? Almost complete radio silence.
12. Michael Clayton, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Clayton looked like a future superstar as a rookie in 2004, catching 80 passes for over 1,100 yards. But injuries and inconsistency quickly sent his career spiraling.
11. Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Browns
Anderson went to the Pro Bowl in 2007 after throwing 29 touchdowns and leading Cleveland to 10 wins. He then settled into a long career as a backup, never reaching those heights again.
10. Mike Williams, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Out of football for two years, Williams resurrected his career in 2010 with Pete Carroll and posted nearly 800 yards. The comeback story didn’t last long, but it was fun while it lasted.
9. Alfred Morris, RB, Washington
A sixth-round rookie in 2012, Morris stunned the league with 1,613 rushing yards in Mike Shanahan’s offense. He had a few more decent years, but never matched that jaw-dropping debut.
8. Robert Royal, TE, Buffalo Bills
Royal’s 2006 season saw him post career-highs in nearly every category, making fans wonder if Buffalo had something special. Turns out, it was just a blip on the radar.
7. Keelan Cole, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cole exploded onto the scene as a rookie in 2017 with highlight-reel grabs and big-play ability. He never quite put it all together after that, but for one season, he was electric.
6. Tommy Maddox, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
After bouncing around the league (and even the XFL), Maddox returned to the NFL in 2002 and threw for over 2,800 yards. It was a feel-good story that didn’t last—but it sure was memorable.
5. Domanick Davis, RB, Houston Texans
Injuries eventually shortened his career, but Davis had back-to-back strong seasons early on, especially his rookie year in 2003. For a while, he looked like a franchise cornerstone in Houston.
4. Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans
Slaton came out of nowhere in 2008 to rack up 1,659 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. After that, fumbles and injuries derailed what once looked like a breakout career.
Read more: NFL Players Most Likely to Break Out This NFL Season
3. Colt Brennan, QB, Washington (Preseason Legend)
Brennan never saw real regular-season action, but his electric preseason in 2008 had fans dreaming of a future star. He became a cult hero, proving even summer performances can live forever.
Read more: 15 NFL Teams That Lost the Plot After One Good Year
2. Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bortles had one magical 2017 run where he guided the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game. It didn’t last, but it gave us one of the most bizarre and entertaining quarterback seasons in recent memory.
Read more: 20 NFL Stars Who Turned Out to Be One-Year Mirages
1. Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns
In 2013, Gordon looked like the most unstoppable receiver in football, putting up over 1,600 yards in just 14 games. Off-field issues cut his stardom short, but that one season still feels like a dream.
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