Fantasy Football 2012 Cheatsheet: Over-Hyped Players You Must Avoid

With the 2012 fantasy football season approaching fast, it’s time to help out everyone with another cheatsheet featuring over-hyped stars that you should not pick.

There are many players in 2012 that will have down seasons, but nothing can hurt your fantasy team more than taking a first- or second-round pick on a player that flops. That’s what we’re here to help you avoid.

All of the following players have serious issues surrounding them and risking an early pick on them may be the downfall of your fantasy season. Be wise and reconsider!

Ryan Mathews

While San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews may have been ranked as one of the best fantasy picks coming into the preseason, a broken collarbone will quell all that excitement.

Despite the injuries, Mathews is still being taken far too high. With a history of injuries and an offensive line in flux, risking your season on a player that has durability issues isn't a smart choice.

As much as you want to steer away from the star in the first two rounds of your fantasy draft, if you’re picking in the late third round or early fourth round, taking a risk with the star may be worth it.

There is a fine line between making an educated gamble and a reckless decision; Mathews dances that line.

Michael Vick

While the Philadelphia Eagles have tons of offensive weapons that could make Michael Vick an elite quarterback, the inability to stay healthy is a very obvious problem for 2012.

Not only did Vick miss chunks of 2011 with injuries, in his two preseason games this year, he left with injuries to his hand and his ribs; that’s not a good sign.

With the rushing yards and potential touchdowns as well as the damage Vick can do through the air, it will tempt you to take the Eagles star as your QB, but resist and pick with your brain.

If you do pick Michael Vick, you better have a darn good backup plan.

Larry Fitzgerald

More than even Michael Vick, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a fantasy risk that all players must avoid. Fitzgerald is going in the first round of almost every league, but the inconsistency and question marks under center have the future of the star in question.

There is no doubt he is one of the three best pure wide receivers in the NFL, but without a quarterback that can get the ball to him on a consistent basis, he is nothing more than a third-round value.

Last season, Fitzgerald finished seventh among wide receivers in fantasy points and 18th overall. With no clear winner in the Kevin Kolb/John Skelton mess, the only thing clear about the situation is that Fitzgerald’s numbers will suffer.

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