Possible Busts
Here’s a potential bust from each NFL team to help your fantasy football draft preparation:
C.J. Anderson, RB: If you promised me he would make it through the season unscathed, I’d be all in.
Tyreek Hill, WR: I’d be surprised if he matches his previous production, which only made him the 20th best WR in most standard leagues.
Mike Williams, WR: He’s already likely out until October on a team surprisingly loaded with offensive weapons. Also, what if I told you I expect Keenan Allen to make it through the year mostly healthy? No, I haven’t been drinking!
Derek Carr, QB: He’s currently the sixth quarterback being drafted with an average draft position of the sixth round. Lynch likely hurts his red zone usage and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s a little skittish returning from a broken leg.
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE: He’s a oneweek replacement option off the waiver wire. Nothing more.
Frank Gore, RB: When in doubt, pick the 34-year-old running back to bust.
Leonard Fournette, RB: This is if you draft him expecting Ezekiel Elliott’s production. I’m thinking closer to Jordan Howard year one.
DeMarco Murray, RB: Murray had double-digit carries in every game last season, but with Derrick Henry entering his second year and Murray approaching 30, it could start to become more of a split.
Ravens running game: This situation became a fantasy wasteland once Kenneth Dixon was lost for the season. Stay away.
John Ross, WR: I’m sure he’ll make some big plays, but I expect second-year receiver Tyler Boyd to outshine him as a slot machine, especially in PPR leagues.
Brock Osweiler, QB: The only Browns quarterback I’m interested in is DeShone Kizer, who’ll eventually be the starter.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB: He’ll have his monster games, but apparently this only happens at home these days. He’s been mostly mediocre away from Heinz Field the last two seasons. Sounds like a streaming candidate to me.
Tyrod Taylor, QB: Taylor’s primary weapons are a 36-year-old veteran who operates mainly as a physical receiver, a second-round rookie draft pick and a guy the Eagles didn’t want who has a chipped fracture in his sternum.
Jarvis Landry, WR: He already saw his targets dip from 166 to 131 in Gase’s first season—expect another decline in targets, catches and yards.
Mike Gillislee, RB: No one in New England’s backfield is replicating LeGarrette Blount’s 18 touchdowns from a year ago.
John Brown, WR: Brown has the potential to be a top-20 receiver in fantasy, but you can’t trust his health.
Pierre Garcon, WR: Everyone seems to expect Garcon to match the 113 receptions and 1,346 yards he put up last time he played in a Shanahan offense. He should be productive, but not that productive.
Eddie Lacy, RB: You could argue he’s the fourth-best running back on the roster and the Seattle offensive line hasn’t improved much.
Sammy Watkins, WR: The worst thing that could have happened to Watkins’ value during his impending free agency was being traded to the Rams.
Matt Ryan, QB: Ryan is an elite quarterback, but you’d be paying for a career season, which is a fantasy no-no.
Christian McCaffrey, RB: I’d definitely target him in PPR leagues, but he’s being drafted way-too-early in standard leagues.
Davante Adams, WR: Adams will be productive, but he’s not replicating 12 touchdowns, so don’t pay for 12 touchdowns.
Dez Bryant, WR: His prime—averages of 91 receptions, 1,311 yards and 14 touchdowns from 2012 to 2014—is over. Draft a more reliable receiver with a higher ceiling in the second round.