As the NFL season approaches, people are gearing up for their fantasy football drafts. Some have happened already, yet most will take place this weekend, as it is the weekend before the season begins.
Yesterday, we provided some names to remember for later in the year in our Deep Sleepers post. Today, we’re going to provide a few busts to avoid this upcoming year. Again, the ‘experts’ continue to trot out the same bust players (like Mike Vick), so you won’t get that here. What you will get are people that are flying under the bust radar. Such as….
Quarterback - Tony Romo: First, let us point out that the Cowboys offense actually performed better when Romo was injured last season. Next, as almost useless as Roy Williams the receiver was, he is a better receiving option than Kevin Ogletree or whatever else they are sticking as their third receiver. Third, as explosive as Dez Bryant can potentially be, he is still very unproven. Fourth, they Cowboys are going to run the ball more with Jason Garrett as their head coach than they did with Wade Phillips. Add this all together, and it spells a season that may be better for the Cowboys as a team, but worse for Romo in fantasy leagues. Romo is right now the seventh quarterback going in drafts on average, but he will likely finish outside the top 12 in points.
Other potential busts: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Mike Vick
Running Back – Jamaal Charles: A lot of people have been on the Maurice Jones-Drew as a bust bandwagon, yet they love Jamaal Charles. While Jones-Drew is definitely bust material, Charles has a lot more red flags when looking at his situation. Charles is going in the top five based off of his potential and his absolutely insane 6.4 yards per carry last season. Despite all of the yards he managed to accumulate, he only scored a total of eight touchdowns, two of which came in one game. While he is supposed to get a larger share of the workload, there are a lot of questions as to whether or not he can handle it. Already, he has a leg injury. Plus, there is still the spectre of Thomas Jones lurking in the background. If he loses even one yard per carry, then his rushing total is only just over 1200 yards. Basically, this would make him Peyton Hillis without the scores. The potential for justifying his selection is here, however it is more likely he will put up numbers that would be acquired with a fourth round pick.
Other potential busts: Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden
Wide Receiver – Greg Jennings: Here is someone that is not getting a lot of run as a possible bust. Yet, there is a statistical trend that shows that Jennings may not live up to being the fourth or fifth receiver off the board. Specifically, prior to the injury to Jermichael Finley, Jennings averaged six targets a game. After the injury, that number increased to 8.2. Not only is Finley healthy, but the Packers added a second solid receiving tight end in the draft in D.J. Williams. This way, in case Finley gets hurt again, they have someone that can step in and make plays. Added to this is the return of Ryan Grant, who missed all but one game last year due to injury. Having Grant back in the lineup means that the Packers will run the ball more, which further limits the potential for touches for Jennings. Let someone else draft him based on last season.
Other potential busts: Dwayne Bowe, Dez Bryant, Steve Johnson
Tight End – Vernon Davis: By all statistical measurements, Davis had a monster year last season, as Mike Singletary was able to finally tap into his immense potential. Yet, in a game by game breakdown, there are troubling signs. Davis had three games last year with only one reception. He had eight games with 36 or fewer yards. Davis was the ultimate boom or bust play at tight end last year. Add to this the statements made by Jim Harbaugh about how Frank Gore is going to be the focal point of the offense, and how they would like to work Delanie Walker into the passing game more, and this spells a backslide for Davis statistically.
Other potential busts: Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, Owen Daniels
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