Fantasy Football Week 10: Big-Name Busts You Must Avoid This Week
By Week 10 in fantasy football, the landscape of the league has begun to come into sharper and sharper focus. By this point, you should know which of the early season's underperformers and busts will stay busts, who has been the victim of bad luck that will soon turn, and who is already starting to pick up their production.
Which brings us to today's bust list. There are players of all three types on this list, and we're breaking down who's worth keeping around, who it's time to cut bait on, and who you should chance giving a start.
20. Randy Moss, WR, Tennessee Titans
1 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Moss has been a colossal bust in every sense of the term. His production has nosedived in 2010, hindered by a lack of effort in New England and Minnesota, as well as some locker-room conflicts with the Vikings. He's now on his third team of the season in Tennessee, and hope is slowly beginning to fade on the 2010 season.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say, but every week, he creeps closer to a yes. Moss has a new offense and a new team sure to feed him the ball early and often, so he'll get ample opportunity to perform.
Who’s the Matchup: The Miami Dolphins provide a fairly favorable matchup, and while Moss didn't register a catch in his first matchup with them, there were other factors at play there.
What You Should Do With Him: Moss is worth a play this week, and most weeks, despite his bust status, because he's capable of delivering a big week any time. But it's become the exception, rather than the rule, in 2010.
19. Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings
2 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Shiancoe entered 2010 with high expectations, but aside from a 12-point performance in Week 1 and an 11-point performance in Week 9, he's failed to deliver any double-digit games.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably not. Now that Randy Moss is gone, Shiancoe is getting the passes across the middle once again. As long as Brett Favre keeps throwing him the ball, Shiancoe should deliver decent to strong games.
Who’s the Matchup: The Bears' defense ranks seventh in the NFL against opposing tight ends, thanks in large part to their excellent linebacking corps.
What You Should Do With Him: Shiancoe's actually worth a start this week and probably next week, to see if his production is really back to 2009 levels. If it's not, be prepared to cut bait.
18. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
3 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Moreno has failed to live up to the expectations put on him heading into 2010, scoring in double figures just once since returning from injury in Week 6.
Will He Stay a Bust: Doubtful. We all know Moreno has the talent to be a strong running back in the NFL, and he's got the potential to put up excellent numbers in any week. He just hasn't figured out how to do it on a regular basis just yet.
Who’s the Matchup: Kansas City ranks in the middle of the pack (16th) against opposing running backs, so it's possible Knowshon finds room to run, but also possible the Chiefs shut him down.
What You Should Do With Him: Moreno's worth a play over the next two weeks, to see if perhaps the bye week helped put him back on track. If it didn't, it's time to send him to your bench.
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17. Chad Ochocino, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
4 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Thirty-seven of Ocho's 55 points on the season came in Weeks 1 and 7, and the wideout has failed to deliver a single 5-point week outside of those games. He was barely a factor in the Bengals passing game against Pittsburgh, and has looked like perhaps he's slowed a half-step from 2009.
Will He Stay a Bust: It's looking more and more likely. For a guy who was a fairly reliable performer in 2009, Ocho has not lived up to his hype in 2010.
Who’s the Matchup: The Colts rank 14th against opposing wideouts in 2010, and with such a soft run defense, Cincy might choose to blast away with Cedric Benson this week.
What You Should Do With Him: Bench him. Ocho's not been what most expected him to be in 2010, and while he'll still go off now and then, those days are few and far between.
16. Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos
5 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Royal was widely viewed as the best wideout in Denver heading into 2010. But the former Virginia Tech standout has flopped, failing to make a consistent impact as fellow wideouts Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney have developed into the playmakers.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably. Royal's going to have big games now and then, but it's clear he's the third or even fourth option most weeks in Denver.
Who’s the Matchup: Kansas City ranks sixth in the NFL against opposing wideouts, and Royal's been overlooked against even the more substandard defenses in football this year.
What You Should Do With Him: You could probably get away with cutting him loose at this point, but if you want to hang on to him, he has no business being in your starting lineup.
15. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
6 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: This picture more or less sums up Garcon's season. Other than a big Week 6 performance, Garcon has yet to deliver a double-digit point total in 2010, despite entering the season as a popular breakout pick. He can't hang onto the football, and even with few reliable options, quarterback Peyton Manning seems content to look elsewhere most games.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. Until Garcon can sort out his dropsies issue, he'll be a colossal disappointment.
Who’s the Matchup: The Bengals are a favorable matchup, with their battered secondary, but Garcon hasn't exactly lit up other shoddy defenses this season.
What You Should Do With Him: You could play him one more time this week, if you lack a better option. But you could also almost get away with cutting him outright at this point, and could definitely do it if he bombs again this week.
14. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
7 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: For a guy widely viewed as a reliable second-tier tight end coming into 2010, Miller has been a colossal bust. It's as if the Steelers forgot they have a reliable set of hands at tight end, as they're just not throwing him the ball.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. When you're this forgotten, things hit the skids in a big hurry. Even Ben Roethlisberger's return at quarterback couldn't save him.
Who’s the Matchup: The Patriots rank 23rd against opposing tight ends. If Miller can't find a bit of success against them, he won't find it for the rest of the season.
What You Should Do With Him: Cut him loose. There are probably more reliable options available elsewhere in your league.
13. Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
8 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: It's not that Jones can't make plays; we've seen that he's capable of exploding. It's just that the Cowboys are so atrocious this season, Jones hasn't been given the chance to make plays. He's been a colossal failure in 2010, and with an offensive line incapable of blocking for anything, and an offensive coordinator who has turned into Andy Reid 2.0 (Run the ball? Who needs to run the ball?!), Jones has failed to post more than 11 points this season.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. The Cowboys aren't running the ball often enough for Felix to make any real impact, and until the offensive line improves, he'll continue to stink out the joint. Plus, he did get a little thicker this season, which has sapped some of his explosiveness.
Who’s the Matchup: The Giants rank third against running backs in 2010. Guess who's in line for another stinker?
What You Should Do With Him: Cut him loose. Jones is still talented, but until Dallas rights the ship, he's dead weight on your roster.
12. Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings
9 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Sure, Favre posted an impressive 21 points last week. But he's only cracked the 10-point barrier twice in 2010, and even last week, he threw two picks. He's been banged up, and has struggled to find a rhythm with his wideouts, and his production has nosedived as a result.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Favre showed he can still be a fantasy force when he wants to be, but it remains to be seen if this is the start of a trend or just a fluky one-game cameo.
Who’s the Matchup: The Bears rank first in the NFL against opposing quarterbacks, and Favre has a nasty habit of throwing picks.
What You Should Do With Him: Bench him this week, and take close looks at his matchups from this point on. He could still have value, but you could also find someone more reliable on waivers (like Josh Freeman).
11. Jacoby Jones, WR, Houston Texans
10 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Jones was viewed as a potential breakout candidate alongside stud wideout Andre Johnson heading into the season. But through eight games and nine weeks, Jones has barely registered a blip on the fantasy radar. He's had one 10-plus point game (an 11-point output in Week 2), and he has scored more than five points just one other time.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably, yes. It's not that Jones has been too badly injured in 2010. While he's had dings in previous weeks, the Texans just aren't throwing the ball his way. When that happens, it's hard to get out of your funk.
Who’s the Matchup: Jacksonville ranks dead last against opposing wideouts in 2010. If he's going to start producing, this is the week it'll happen.
What You Should Do With Him: You could start him with the tasty matchup this week, but my advice would be to keep him on your bench and see what he does. If he struggles, cut him loose, if you haven't already.
10. Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
11 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Jackson was supposed to take off once Marshawn Lynch left Buffalo. He was going to have big games as the team's primary running back. But Jackson has been stalled on the tarmac all season, failing to crack double-digit fantasy points all season.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say for sure, but it looks more and more likely each week. Prior to Week 9, Jackson had been putting up decent yard totals, but hadn't found the end zone much. Since touchdowns can be so fluky, it's difficult to say whether he can actually get out of his funk.
Who’s the Matchup: Detroit ranks second-to-last in the NFL against opposing running backs, so if Jackson's going to save his season, it's going to happen this week.
What You Should Do With Him: You could play him this week, but if you haven't cut him yet and have more reliable options, feel free to do just that, especially if he fails to produce this week.
9. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
12 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Cutler came out gangbusters in 2010, posting back-to-back 20+ point games in Weeks 1 and 2. But since then, he's struggled with his rhythm, an awful offensive line, and receivers who can't hang onto the football. He's scored more than 15 points in a week just once since the fast start, and has been troubled by an awful offensive line and unreliable wideouts.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. The offensive line and wide receiver situations say yes, but Cutler has put up strong performances in spite of those factors this season. He probably won't be a starter, but he has definite value as a backup.
Who’s the Matchup: Minnesota's pass rush can still get the job done, and the Bears offensive line hasn't exactly inspired confidence this season.
What You Should Do With Him: Bench him. Cutler is a backup in 2010; he gives you good value in bye weeks, but he's not reliable enough to start every week.
8. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets
13 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Greene has been a tremendous disappointment this season, as the early-round pick in most leagues has lost the starting job, and isn't getting frequent enough carries to make much impact in most weeks. He struggled with poor play and fumbles early this season, and now LaDanian Tomlinson has more value than the second-year back.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. LT's production has slipped slightly in recent weeks, opening the door for Greene to get another chance to prove himself. He's running a bit better in limited action recently, as well.
Who’s the Matchup: Cleveland ranks fourth against opposing running backs, making this week a tough one for a backup running back.
What You Should Do With Him: Bench him or cut him, but monitor the situation in New York closely. If Tomlinson continues to struggle, Green could get another shot, in which case his value skyrockets.
7. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
14 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Welker was seen as a mid-round steal coming into the season, given his production in recent seasons. And through the first two games of the year, Welker delivered. But since Randy Moss' departure, Welker's production has nosedived, and he's failed to break 6 points since his partner left town.
Will He Stay a Bust: It's getting more likely each week. Without Moss to draw defenders, Welker is getting teams' best corners marking him, making it tough to produce at the levels he has in years past.
Who’s the Matchup: Pittsburgh ranks 15th against opposing wideouts, so Welker could find success this week.
What You Should Do With Him: Bench him. Welker hasn't shown he can produce without Moss, and until he does, he shouldn't get a start against a strong Pittsburgh defense.
6. Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins
15 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Brown had been Mr. Reliable for most of his career, posting between 8 and 14 points in most weeks. But in 2010, Brown has broken the 10 point barrier just twice, failing to find the end zone on a regular basis.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Brown's still splitting duties with Ricky Williams, and his touchdown production has dipped significantly. He's still running somewhat effectively, and showed signs of life against Baltimore in Week 9; he needs to do that on a regular basis before he can be trusted.
Who’s the Matchup: Tennessee ranks 12th against the run, and they've been formidable, but not impenetrable, for most of the year.
What You Should Do With Him: Bench him. Brown's production doesn't merit a starting spot in most formats.
5. Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys
16 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Witten has been a top-five fantasy tight end for several years now, and that didn't look to be changing in 2010. But with an offensive line that needs all the help it can get, Witten's slumped badly this season, breaking 10 points just three times. He's been plagued by inconsistency and a lack of targets, as he's forced to stay home and help protect the quarterback.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. All three of his double-digit fantasy performances have come in the last five games, but Witten can't seem to find the consistency that made him such a strong play prior to this season.
Who’s the Matchup: The Giants rank 13th against opposing tight ends, but their pass rush is so strong that Witten will be doing a lot of blocking to give Jon Kitna time to throw to other pass catchers.
What You Should Do With Him: Witten's still worth a play in most formats, just don't expect a huge day from the talented tight end.
4. Kellen Winslow, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Winslow was seen as a top-10 fantasy tight end entering 2010. But he has yet to find the end zone, and his stats reflect that, as he has yet to post more than 8 points in a given week.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Winslow has been used as a safety valve for quarterback Josh Freeman all season long, which means he's not racking up big yardage games very often. Still, there's some upside, and perhaps soon, he could break out.
Who’s the Matchup: Carolina ranks 27th against opposing tight ends, providing the perfect chance for Winslow to have his first big game of the season.
What You Should Do With Him: Start him this week, but if he fails to produce, cut him loose, or at the very least bench him. He's not producing points consistently, and there are more reliable options out there at tight end.
3. Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
18 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Poor Brent Celek. He's still a reliable talent, but the Eagles have basically stopped throwing to him in 2010, and his stats have nosedived as a result. He hit rock bottom with back-to-back zero-point performances in Weeks 7 and 9.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. The Eagles didn't throw to Celek much when Kevin Kolb was the quarterback, and with Michael Vick taking off running rather than dumping off to the tight end, that shouldn't change in the slightest.
Who’s the Matchup: Washington ranks 19th against opposing tight ends, but it shouldn't matter much if the tight end never gets the ball.
What You Should Do With Him: Cut him loose. Celek's not going to produce anything resembling a solid stat line in 2010. Time to cut your losses.
2. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins
19 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Any thoughts of using Henne as a reliable backup quarterback in most leagues were washed away in poor play in the Dolphins' last two games. After posting four straight games with 14 points or more, Henne has failed to crack 10 points in his last two, throwing interceptions with regularity.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. Henne can't keep the ball out of his opponents' hands, and his decision-making actually seems to be getting worse as the year progresses.
Who’s the Matchup: Tennessee ranks eighth against opposing quarterbacks, big trouble for a guy who can't stop throwing picks.
What You Should Do With Him: Cut him loose. There are better backup quarterback options who won't kill you when you need a start the way Henne can.
1. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
20 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Smith wasn't supposed to find the same level of success he'd had in years past, but no one thought it'd be this bad. Poor quarterback play, nagging injuries and double coverage have annihilated Smith's value, as he's failed to crack 10 points since Week 2.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. The quarterback situation in Carolina is the worst in the NFL right now outside of perhaps Arizona, and Smith will keep suffering until they fix the problems.
Who’s the Matchup: Tampa Bay ranks 21st against opposing wideouts in 2010, giving Smith a glimmer of hope this week.
What You Should Do With Him: Bench him. Smith can still go off on occasion, but until the Panthers get a quarterback, those days are going to be extremely scarce.
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