Fantasy Football Week 6: Big-Name Busts You Must Avoid This Week
Week 6 of the NFL season is a big one for many busts around the fantasy football community. If a player has yet to produce consistently at this point in the season, even the most patient owners will begin to wonder if they ever will.
With teams like Arizona, Buffalo and Carolina on bye this week, it got tougher to pick the busts to avoid, as it took major busts like Larry Fitzgerald, Fred Jackson, and DeAngelo Williams off the board.
But don't worry, there are still plenty of underperforming players to fill the top 20. Let's take a look.
20. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
1 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Bust is a relative term with Turner, who has scored 50 points this season. But he ranks just 19th out of running backs in the NFL this year, well below his late-first to early-second round draft position.
Will He Stay a Bust: Turner doesn't look like the same back who gashed the NFL for big yards every week in 2008. He's capable of a big game, but he's not going to get you the 20-25 points of a top back. He's got a favorable match-up this week, but when he's against a tough run defense, it'll be best to look elsewhere.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: You don't want to cut him, and he should play well this week, but down the road, you might want to look into trading him.
19. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
2 of 20
Why He's a Bust: Johnson was the first wideout off the board in every single draft that made any sense, but he hasn't played like it in 2010. A combination of injuries and his slow starts to seasons have sapped some of Andre's value.
Will He Stay a Bust: No. Johnson's getting healthy, and when he's up to full speed, you'll see what he can do.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Johnson is nearly healthy, and the Texans won't hold him out of this game, but he might not be capable of the epic performances we've come to expect from him over the years.
18. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
3 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Jackson got off to a fantastic start in 2010, but since Kevin Kolb re-took the reins of the offense, DeSean hasn't gotten many balls thrown his way. Until Michael Vick comes back, don't expect anything resembling a good game from DeSean.
Will He Stay a Bust: Possibly, until Michael Vick is healthy enough to start again. Once that happens, Jackson will start putting up numbers again.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: It looks as though Kolb might be starting in Week 6, which means another long day for DeSean. Plus, Atlanta's done an excellent job shutting down opponents' deep threats in 2010.
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17. Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland Raiders
4 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Did you watch the first two weeks of the season? Absolutely brutal. Don't be fooled into thinking Campbell found his game last week in the second half.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. Although, there is the possibility he's got it all figured out now.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: He should be on the waiver wire. Don't trust him, and don't buy into last week's strong finish.
16. Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: 2010 was a do or die season for the Caddy, but through five weeks, it looks like he's got his coffin all picked out and ready to go. The only reason he's still the starter is because the Bucs lack another proven option.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably. He'll have a couple big games, just to suck you back in, but he won't produce much in terms of value most weeks.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Cut him. Now. He has minimal value, and he'll just hurt you in the end.
15. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons
6 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Take out his superhuman performance in Week 4, and Gonzo has yet to record more than 4 points in a given week. He's not getting the kind of looks he needs to excel, despite the fact that he still has some of the surest hands in the NFL.
Will He Stay a Bust: Possibly. Matty Ice doesn't like to throw to his tight end, and Gonzo's stats will suffer as a result.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Gonzo hasn't been completely useless in 2010, but he definitely doesn't merit a starting spot.
14. Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings
7 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: It's hard to put up numbers when your quarterback can't throw the ball anymore.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. He's doing the best he can with what he's getting, but Shiancoe just isn't getting that many looks.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: He's too talented to drop, and Brett Favre historically loves throwing to his tight end. But until his arm is healed, Visanthe won't be getting a ton of looks.
13. Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants
8 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Manningham has firmly established his role as the third wideout in New York, and his targets have suffered immensely in 2010.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. He's not going to get big numbers most weeks, despite his clear talent. He'll struggle to find catches all year long.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: You don't want to cut him, so try and get some value for him before the rest of the league wises up.
12. Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
9 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Daniels has yet to be a significant part of Houston's offense in 2010, and his stats have taken a colossal hit. He was a mid-round pick, but has performed well below even the most modest expectations.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. He's got the talent to be an elite tight end, but he hasn't gotten the play he needs to put up stats.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Too talented to cut, not producing enough to trade for much, your best bet is to wait it out with Owen on your bench.
11. Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks
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Why He's Been a Bust: Forsett hasn't looked bad in 2010, but the Seahawks were so troubled by his performance so far that they traded for Buffalo runner Marshawn Lynch, who could take his job in the near future.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. If Lynch takes the starting gig away, then yes. If he doesn't, then no.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Until Forsett officially loses his job, he should stay on your roster. Once that happens, though, don't be afraid to cut bait and run.
10. Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins
11 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Brown has flat out not produced in 2010. He's still splitting duties with Ricky Williams, and a combination of poor play and bad match-ups have made him a lackluster back thus far.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. He's still talented, but can he actually produce points?
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Too talented to drop, Brown is a prime trade candidate.
9. John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks
12 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Carlson was a popular sleeper pick heading into 2010, but through five weeks, the tight end has yet to wake up.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably, until he gets someone else to throw him the ball.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Carlson is capable of going off at any time, but he's not performing right now, and is swiftly approaching drop territory.
8. Jacoby Jones, WR, Houston Texans
13 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Jones has been hurting the last two weeks, but even before the injury, the popular sleeper pick wasn't getting all that many targets.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say, given speed wideouts' finicky natures.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Jones should go off at some point, but you don't want him in your lineup while he's still putting up stinkers.
7. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
14 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Colston has been kept under wraps by defenses looking to prevent the deep ball against the Saints most weeks this season, and his owners are getting increasingly frustrated that they wasted a mid-round pick on the former Hofstra star.
Will He Stay a Bust: Doubtful. Colston showed signs of life last week, and he gets better as the season progresses.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Until Colston breaks out of his funk, you should play other options if you have them. Once he does, though, roll him with confidence.
6. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
15 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: When the Chiefs throw the ball, which isn't often, odds are Bowe won't catch it, given his performance this season.
Will He Stay a Bust: Unless he fixes his case of the dropsies, yes.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Another one of those too talented to drop, but not playing well enough to start type players.
5. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
16 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Jennings has struggled to find space all season, and with other receiving options open, Aaron Rodgers has been looking elsewhere in Green Bay.
Will He Stay a Bust: No. Jennings will go off sooner or later. Maybe this week with Jermichael Finley hurt.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Until Jennings has a decent game or two, he's not producing enough to merit a WR1 spot. He's at best a WR2, and if you have other options you could leave him on the bench.
4. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets
17 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Greene was poised for a breakout year in 2010. Fast forward five weeks, and he's not running with the explosiveness we saw last season, and has lost the starting job to LaDanian Tomlinson.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Greene's picked it up the last couple of weeks, but he's still not the starter in New York.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Greene's not a terrible running back, and he could get things going in the near future. But for now, keep him stashed on your bench.
3. Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings
18 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Favre was seen as a mid-round steal heading into 2010, but tendonitis in his throwing elbow have the old gunslinger throwing knuckleballs out there. There's no zip on his throws, and they have no spiral; they don't really spin at all, which has been a serious problem.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably. Unless Favre sits out a game or two (incredibly unlikely) to rest his elbow, he won't get the zip on his throws that he needs. Expect more struggles from Favre to come.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: It's possible Favre figures everything out, so keep him for a couple more weeks as a backup. But if he continues to struggle, don't be afraid to say goodbye.
2. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins
19 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Henne's shown flashes of brilliance in 2010, but has yet to put it together for an extended period of time. He throws a ton of interceptions, and seems to be making some poor decisions.
Will He Stay a Bust: It seems fairly likely. Henne's decision making has been poor, and there have been rumblings that Miami could bench him soon, if his struggles continue.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Henne makes a good backup fantasy quarterback, but he's not starter material. Any more games like Week 4, though, and he might not even be backup worthy.
1. Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
20 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Sims-Walker is a WR2 trapped as the Jags' top wideout. He's routinely shut down by elite defenses, and has vastly underperformed expectations in 2010.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably. Sims-Walker will never be the consistent threat you want from someone drafted that high.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Mike has looked like a matchup play in 2010. When he's got a favorable matchup, he plays well. When he doesn't, he struggles mightily. This week is a bad game for him, against a Titans' secondary fully capable of slamming the door in his face.
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