Time get a little negative, fantasy football fans. We’ve talked up plenty of hot picks and fantasy football sleepers at each position – but what about the guys you want to avoid? When it came to sleepers, we hunted for low-profile guys. For busts, it’s the opposite; here are some high-profile guys who are supposed to carry you to a title but could hurt you – and their team’s NFL futures – badly.
QUARTERBACK
Mark Sanchez, Jets
I’m not saying I don’t believe in Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets as future NFL betting juggernauts. But he has the big name playing in a high-profile market and that may sway some bettors. The reality is that his numbers were awful last year: 162.9 yards per game, 12 touchdowns, 20 interceptions. If the Jets weren’t so strong in every other facet of the game, he would’ve been labelled a “bust.” Sanchez should improve this year but not enough to warrant a fantasy draft pick.
Phillip Rivers, Chargers
Rivers will still post decent numbers this season. The problem is that you’ll pay top dollar for him as a QB1 with an early round pick yet he’s missing his No. 1 receiver, Vincent Jackson, and his No. 1 protector, left tackle Marcus McNeill, due to contract holdouts. I don’t see how he can avoid a regression.
RUNNING BACK
Jerome Harrison, Browns
Harrison carried many teams to fantasy titles with his improbable late-season run last year. He did most of his damage in his last three games, running for 286, 148 and 127 yards over his last three games. But he got 30-plus carries all three times and faced weak defenses all three times. He won’t get the rock that often in 2010 and he has competition from Montario Hardesty and James Davis.
Justin Forsett, Seahawks
Like Harrison, Forsett will have trouble building on his 2009 output because of timeshare troubles. Leon Washington is a more dynamic receiver than he is and Julius Jones will steal plenty of carries in Pete Carroll’s system.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Chad Ochocinco, Bengals
Be careful what you wish for, Chad. Ochocinco wanted Terrell Owens to join him in Cincinnati but now No. 85 won’t get the ball nearly as often. Carson Palmer also has Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Gresham and (maybe) Antonio Bryant as targets.
Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars
He was a nice third receiver in fantasy leagues last year at first glance but Sims-Walker crashed back to Earth as the season progressed. He averaged 79.1 yards contest in his first seven games and 39.4 in his last eight. He’s simply not that good.
Sidney Rice, Vikings
Before you rocket Rice up your draft board (and pick the Vikings at your sportsbook) now that Brett Favre is back, remember that Favre could still implode any moment and Rice is battling a nagging hip injury that could limit his quickness.
Donald Driver, Packers
The workmanlike Driver gets it done every year but he has more competition for catches than ever in Green Bay. Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, James Jones and Jordy Nelson are all viable options for Aaron Rodgers and Driver’s age has to catch up to him sooner or later.
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