Top 5 Overrated Fantasy Football Players

Fantasy Football owners are constantly on the prowl for sleepers, players that end up exceeding expectations and typically are the key to winning fantasy leagues. I look to do the opposite, identify players that you would be wise to avoid drafting because they are overrated.

Ken Daube provides some nice statistics on ESPN on the high bust rate of first picks; he collected running backs whose average position in the past 4 years was from 3rd to 10th. Out of the 22 running backs, 10 of them did not produce over 160 total points, meaning they didn't produce enough to be your 2nd RB.

I highlight four running backs and one wide receiver who will be picked in the top 3 rounds of your draft, but I don't believe they will produce up to snuff.

Thomas Jones, New York Jets

Running backs don't age like human beings, they age like dogs. Thomas Jones is 31, but he is 217 in dog years. This does not bode well for the upcoming season.

However, he did put up career numbers at the age of 30. Even if Father Time does not catch up to Jones, there are other factors that definitely will limit his numbers.

With Sanchez looking more and more like the starter come week 1, expect the Jets to use a timeshare similar to last year's Ravens. The Ravens were also a playoff caliber team with a rookie quarterback and three talented running backs. Mcgahee wasn't able to produce good numbers in that system, and neither will Thomas Jones. The Jets also have the 9th toughest schedule in the league.

Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins

Ronnie Brown is generally considered a 3rd round pick even though there is nothing terrible appealing about him. He is still sharing the ball with Ricky Williams and he didn't rush for more than 50 yards 9 times last season.

He was most productive in the Wildcat formation, and his role undoubtedly will be reduced this upcoming year with the addition of Pat White. Brown's only saving grace is that he can line up in the backfield with White, and Miami can call it their Crayola package.

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles

Brian Westbrook has been a playmaker for the Eagles and a fantasy stud for many years. Unfortunately, his biological clock is ticking faster than a 40 year old single woman's, he turns 30 before week 1.

He is still recovering from a knee injury and will miss at least all of preseason.

The Eagles also drafted McCoy, who eerily resembles Westbrook's style of play. They also picked up fullback Leonard Weaver, who will get the ball at the goal line, a role Westbrook awkwardly had to fill last year.

Dane Cook

Ok Dane Cook does not play football, but he's still terribly overrated.

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

Let me preface this by saying Steve Smith is a monster. Smith has missed part of the past two seasons due to injury and his penchant for punching Ken Lucas's face. I expect him to miss at least a couple of games one way or another again this year, his shoulder injury is currently limiting him to non-contact drills and could end up being a concern.

There's also the fact that Jake Delhomme is clearly broken having thrown five interceptions in the Panther's playoff game last year. Jake could have shown up for the game in a sundress and would have been less embarrassed. I still think Smith will get a 1000 yards, but I don't think he will be a top 10 fantasy receiver.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson is one of those players who have gone from underrated to overrated in consecutive years. Johnson heads into his sophmore year as a 1st round pick. I don't believe he's a premier back yet for several reasons. He had four 100 yard games, and they all came against terrible teams.

I don't see his touchdowns increasing because LenDale White cut his weight down and actually looks like an athlete for the first time in his life. Coincidentally, LenDale is also going into the last year of his rookie contract.

Defenses also will be preparing for Chris Johnson, he won't be able to sneak up on teams like he did his rookie year.