Fantasy Football Week 3: Big-Name Busts You Must Avoid This Week
With Week 3 of the fantasy football season swiftly approaching, it's time to re-evaluate our rosters. After two weeks, there should already be tiny inklings forming in your brain, whispering to you, "Maybe it's time to bench him, he hasn't really done anything thus far," or, "I can't believe I wasted a fifth-round pick on this guy!"
Well, it's time to start listening to those inklings. Here's a list of the 20 biggest busts in fantasy football thus far, and why you should "just say no" in Week 3.
20. Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
1 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Other than taking part in this sweet touchdown celebration, Daniels has been slow in getting back up to speed in the Texans offense. No one doubts that the talent for a big season is there, but he won't start producing until Matt Schaub starts throwing his way.
Will He Stay a Bust? Probably not all season. But for the next week or two, Daniels probably won't be in the game plan too often.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Let's see, the Texans threw for 497 yards against the Redskins last week, but Owen Daniels accounted for just 24 of those yards. While the Cowboys aren't great against opposing tight ends, I've got a feeling Daniels doesn't get much play this week.
19. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago Bears
2 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: We all knew Olsen was a risky play in 2010, given offensive coordinator Mike Martz's disdain for his tight end. But this has been a bit absurd, as the talented former Hurricane has tallied just five receptions for 76 yards. Last week, he caught just one pass. Granted, it was for a score, but Olsen's targets are down from 2009.
Will He Stay a Bust? The longer Olsen is in Martz's system, the more of a forgotten weapon he will become.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: An offensive system that doesn't throw to the tight end, plus a defense that's allowing the fifth-fewest points to tight ends? Recipe for zero points there, my friend.
18. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
3 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Yeesh. Flacco's tallied seven points in two weeks, and managed to throw four interceptions during last week's howler in Cincinnati. Considering many saw him as a potential top-eight quarterback, that's not how you want to get the season started.
Will He Stay a Bust? Doubtful. Flacco won't be facing elite defensive units every week, and he's going to find that rhythm sooner or later.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: While I don't think Flacco's going to have an awful game against Cleveland this week, he's done nothing to earn your trust. If you have a better option at quarterback, or even a not-terrible option, the safe play would be to wait and see if Flacco can put up decent numbers against a not-awful Browns secondary. Once he's proven he can do it, then it's safe to roll with him.
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17. Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
4 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Remember during the preseason, when everyone thought this would be Jones' breakout year? Two weeks, 15 carries, and 45 yards later, we're still waiting for him to break out. He's looked slower and less dynamic, and something tells me it's not getting better.
Will He Stay a Bust? Jones is certainly a talented back, but with other talent in Dallas' backfield, he needs to produce now to keep his spot intact. If he has another bad week, he could find his chances disappearing faster than you can say "Steve Slaton."
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Houston's defense ranks ninth against the run, and with three backs in the offense, none of them are worth the trouble this week.
16. San Francisco 49ers D/ST
5 of 20
Why They're a Bust: Through two weeks, the highly-touted 49ers defense has tallied all of one point. That's right. One. Single. Point. For a defense ranked in the top five heading into the season, that's not good at all.
Will They Stay a Bust? Hard to say for sure. Defenses are notoriously finicky creatures, and any defense could have a big game at any time.
Why They Should Be on Your Bench: While Kansas City's offense isn't exactly setting the world ablaze with production, there are safer plays than the Niners this week. If they get some points against the Chiefs, feel free to go back to them, but for now, stay away.
15. Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings
6 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Harvin didn't come into 2010 without some warning flags. After his preseason migraine incidents, most people knew he was a risk. Though he seemed healthy over the first two weeks of the year, he's only tallied six catches for 44 yards.
Will He Stay a Bust? With Brett Favre throwing him the ball, he should have a big week sooner or later. But he is having hip issues as well, which poses some serious issues going forward.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Even though Harvin and the Vikings face the terrible Lions secondary this week, there are safer plays out there. If you have no one else, then play him, but until he gives us a good week of production, I can't trust him.
14. Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
7 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Celek has been the victim of a quarterback swap. While Kevin Kolb loved to throw to him, Michael Vick prefers to keep those short passes to Celek in the flat and take off with them, using his speed to make plays.
Will He Stay a Bust? If Kolb returns to the starting gig, no. But, if what Andy Reid said today is to be believed, and Vick is starting still, it could be a while before Celek's production returns to normal.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Because this week, Michael Vick is starting, and he never throws to his tight end. Wait until Kolb returns before playing Celek again, and don't be afraid of dropping him down the road if Kolb doesn't get his job back.
13. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
8 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Wallace was heavily hyped as the Steelers' best wideout coming into the season. But through two weeks, he's been more or less invisible, racking up four catches and 87 yards. If you used a fifth-round pick on him, he's been all kinds of bust.
Will He Stay a Bust? Until Ben Roethlisberger comes back, yes. Charlie Batch doesn't have what it takes to get Wallace the ball on those deep routes he's most dangerous on, and Byron Leftwich hasn't proven he can be successful since he left Jacksonville.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Wallace goes against the eighth-best pass defense in the NFL this week, and he still doesn't have Roethlisberger throwing him the ball. Just sit on him and wait for Big Ben to come back.
12. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
9 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Bowe was widely regarded as the best wideout in Kansas City, and that might still be the case. But with Matt Cassel forgetting how to throw the football, Bowe's not getting the kind of looks that made him a fantasy steal in years past.
Will He Stay a Bust? Until Matt Cassel learns how to throw a football, yes.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: San Francisco's defense gives up points, not yards. Plus, Matt Cassel can't throw, and the Chiefs will try to run all game long against the Niners defense.
11. Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo Bills
10 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: We knew the Bills would struggle throwing the football. What we didn't know was that Evans, despite being Buffalo's most talented receiver, would receive so few looks from Trent Edwards.
Will He Stay a Bust? Even with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, Evans is a risky play. I'd avoid him.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Evans isn't going to get much in Buffalo. They just can't throw the football. You may want to think about just cutting him, if there are any options on the waiver wire.
10. Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
11 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Jackson just hasn't produced much value thus far. Most of that is due to the three-back system in Buffalo, but he's still a bust, plain and simple.
Will He Stay a Bust? Until Buffalo trades him or Marshawn Lynch, Jackson—or any of the Bills' backs—isn't worth a fantasy play.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: The 11th-best run defense means that what little value any of the Bills backs can provide is cancelled out.
9. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
12 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Spiller was supposed to be the most talented, versatile back in the Bills system. We're still waiting to see if that's true.
Will He Stay a Bust? Unless the offensive line in Buffalo miraculously improves, yes.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Spiller's still the best back in Buffalo, but for now, look for safer alternatives elsewhere.
8. Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings
13 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: What a difference a year makes. Favre has been flat-out bad through two games this season, and looks more washed up than at any point last year.
Will He Stay a Bust? Given that he's 41, and has been better early in the season the past few years, there's an excellent chance this is the end of the road for Favre.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Favre has yet to prove he can be successful this year against decent defenses, and while the Lions aren't a decent defense, there are much better options out there.
7. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
14 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Miller was a popular sleeper pick once again this year. But he has been a casualty of the quarterback turmoil in Pittsburgh, scoring just four points in two weeks.
Will He Stay a Bust? Hopefully, when Roethlisberger returns, so will Miller's numbers.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: While Miller has been a waste of space thus far, the promise of Big Ben's return in three weeks should be enough to keep him on your bench.
6. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
15 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Stewart has been getting the short end of the time share in Carolina. With DeAngelo Williams getting the lion's share of carries, Stewart's value has taken a nosedive.
Will He Stay a Bust? It's hard to say in this system. But until Stewart starts producing and getting carries, he'll stay a bust.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Stewart's talented; he's just not getting carries. If Williams gets hurt or struggles, John Fox will flip the percentages, and it will be the former Oregon Duck who is the back you want in Carolina.
5. Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland Raiders
16 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: There were those who saw Campbell's big arm, good accuracy and average decision-making as welcome additions to the Raiders offense. Many saw him as a possible sleeper to put up big numbers in 2010. But, through two games, Campbell has looked even worse than the quarterback he was in Washington.
Will He Stay a Bust? There's a good chance he will. Sure, as he gets more comfortable in the offense, he should improve. But we've seen that it takes him a couple years to learn a system, evidenced by his play in D.C. So for 2010, odds are that Campbell will be a bust.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: There are much, much, much safer plays than Campbell on a week-to-week basis. Sure, Arizona's defense is weak, and if you need a quarterback, he could be decent. But don't trust him. Remember, these are the Raiders we're talking about.
4. Brandon Marshall, WR, Miami Dolphins
17 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Most leagues saw Marshall off the board in the first two or three rounds. But after two weeks, Marshall has struggled to get into any rhythm with the Dolphins run-oriented offense, failing to put up big yards or touchdowns.
Will He Stay a Bust? Marshall is too talented to be this bad all season. He'll break through sooner or later. We hope.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: The Jets are a good pass defense, and should hassle Henne into making mistakes. That means danger for Marshall this week.
3. Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
18 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Benson was drafted in the second round in most drafts. He was seen as a number-one-caliber running back in most fantasy formats. But, through two weeks of the season, the results have been underwhelming. Benson has yet to break 80 yards rushing in either game, and hasn't looked like the dynamic runner you'd want as your top back.
Will He Stay a Bust? Hard to say. He's always been a grind-it-out type of player. But if he doesn't produce soon, the Bengals have the dynamic Bernard Scott Express waiting in the wings.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Carolina's run defense hasn't been great, but neither has Benson. Plus, I've got a feeling he'll be on a shorter leash this week than he was in other weeks, given his lack of production. Start him if you must, but don't expect big production anymore.
2. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
19 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Crabtree was a third- or fourth-round pick in most formats. In two weeks, the former Red Raider has just four points. He hasn't been looked at much in the offense, either.
Will He Stay a Bust? With receivers, it's tough to say whether they'll stay busts or break out. But given the number of targets he's had this season, he looks an awful lot like a waste of a pick.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Until Alex Smith starts throwing him the ball, Crabtree should stay on your bench in favor of more productive options.
1. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins
20 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Henne was seen as a potential fantasy starting quarterback with a lot of upside heading into 2010. Two weeks in, it's clear that the former Michigan Wolverine is not the second coming of Dan Marino, as he's failed to break 200 yards passing, and has put up just 15 points in two weeks.
Will He Stay a Bust? Other than Brandon Marshall, Miami lacks reliable weapons in their receiving corps. So the odds of the 'Fins opening the offense up are pretty slim
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: It looks like Henne is a classic fantasy backup quarterback. He won't kill your team most weeks, but he's not going to do much to help, either. Considering the hype surrounding him entering the season, that's not going to cut it.
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