Fantasy football season is fast approaching, and so far, we’ve got you covered with the best team names (that we could print) and one sleeper per NFL team.
This time? This is a list of the possible busts you might consider bumping down your boards as you prepare for your draft.
Last year’s list included some players who did turn out to be busts — Will Fuller, Kenny Golladay, Curtis Samuel and so on. I whiffed for sure on Adam Thielen and David Montgomery, but let’s see if I can redeem myself this year.
Let’s look at one potential bust per NFL team heading into 2022 (and don’t forget to check out one fantasy football SLEEPER per NFL team):
1
Buffalo Bills: RB Devin Singletary
He wasn’t too bad last year, but the Bills tend to let Josh Allen cook near the goal line and there’s serious buzz about James Cook in training camp.
2
Miami Dolphins: RB Chase Edmonds
I worry about the presence of Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel.
3
New England Patriots: TE Hunter Henry
Fantasy lesson of the day: Depending on a player to repeat what he did last year in the end zone (nine touchdowns) is tricky, especially when the yardage isn’t always there.
4
New York Jets: WR Garrett Wilson
The rookie class of receivers is awesome, including him. But it feels like there are a ton of mouths to feed with Elijah Moore and Corey Davis.
5
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Chase Claypool
The quarterback situation makes drafting anyone outside of Diontae Johnnson a risky proposition.
6
Cincinnati Bengals: RB Joe Mixon
Hot take? Maybe. It’s tough to find anyone here to gripe about. But I’m a little worried that maybe he’ll have fewer catches and the 16 touchdowns won’t be matched with two terrific receivers out there for the Bengals.
7
Baltimore Ravens: RB JK Dobbins
I understand that the hype is there after he missed all of last season, especially on a run-heavy team. But will he be the bell cow with Gus Edwards and Mike Davis around? Hmmm.
8
Tennessee Titans: WR Treylon Burks
Uhhh …
Obviously still very early. But more bad signs for Treylon Burks.
* Titans rested all starters (Robert Woods & NWI), Burks played
* Entered game after Dez Fitzpatrick, Racey McMath, and Kyle Phillips
* Earned just one target on 30 snaps— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 12, 2022
9
Indianapolis Colts: QB Matt Ryan
The Colts are going to run a lot. Don’t get talked into him just based on the name.
10
Jacksonville Jaguars: RB James Robinson
I think the ADP will reflect the nervousness from fantasy drafters, but the Travis Etienne hype is too much to ignore.
11
Houston Texans: Anyone not named Brandin Cooks
Oh and Dameon Pierce. But otherwise, skip the rest.
12
Denver Broncos: RB Javonte Williams
Love the player, hate the situation. If Melvin Gordon gets hurt, different story.
13
Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes
I know: He’s Patrick Mahomes. But he lost Tyreek Hill and I worry a lot about that.
14
Las Vegas Raiders: TE Darren Waller
The theory could be that Davante Adams enhances his value, that Waller will see more quality looks when Adams gets more of the attention. But that still reduces volume, especially in the red zone.
15
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Keenan Allen
Dude is a PPR machine, with 106 receptions last season for his sixth 100-catch season in a terrific career.
But: Is Mike Williams slowly moving up as the WR1 in Los Angeles?
16
New York Giants: RB Saquon Barkley
We’ve gotten to the point where he actually might be underrated heading into drafts? But I’m still worried about him running behind that line and Daniel Jones being mediocre, which means defenses playing the run more often.
17
Philadelphia Eagles: RB Miles Sanders
Can’t say I’m a believer that THIS is his breakout season.
18
Washington Commanders: RB Antonio Gibson
There were ups and downs last season, and the entire Washington offense scares me (not in a good way).
19
Dallas Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott
The worries about what happened last year and Tony Pollard’s emergence is already baked into his value. Still: Age and workload are concerns.
20
Detroit Lions: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
I LOVED him last year when he broke out. But D.J. Chark Jr. joining the receiver corps may hamper his value.
21
Green Bay Packers: RB Aaron Jones
The “free Aaron Jones” movement is once again hampered by AJ Dillon.
22
Minnesota Vikings: WR Adam Thielen
There’s no way he’s scoring 10 touchdowns again.
23
Atlanta Falcons: RB Cordarrelle Patterson
He’s on everyone’s bust list and with good reason. No way he repeats his out-of-nowhere 2021.
24
New Orleans Saints: WR Jarvis Landry
Don’t be swayed because he used to be dependable for receptions.
25
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Leonard Fournette
I … just don’t know. Another year with 69 catches? Are we sure?
26
Carolina Panthers: RB Christian McCaffrey
Yes, that’s me, nervous about his usage after another bunch of games lost to injury.
27
Los Angeles Rams: RB Cam Akers
He could either be a huge breakout star … or Darrell Henderson could annoy us all.
28
Arizona Cardinals: WR DeAndre Hopkins
The suspension obviously doesn’t help. Neither does the presence of Marquise Brown.
29
San Francisco 49ers: TE George Kittle
I generally don’t reach on tight ends, and as good as he was last season, it’s another year of under 16 games played.
30
Seattle Seahawks: WR DK Metcalf
Who’s throwing him footballs again? Bleh.
31
Cleveland Browns: WR Amari Cooper
Who’s throwing him footballs again (when the Browns actually throw)? Bleh.
32
Chicago Bears: RB David Montgomery
Sigh. Nope.
