Fantasy Football 2012: Big Names You Must Avoid at All Costs This Season

Star power can go a long way, especially in fantasy football. We have a tendency to over-draft big names. We give fading stars one season too long on our fantasy teams. We sometimes even draft our favorite players just because.

But this year, there are some stars out there that carry huge fantasy risks. Players that prove all that glitters is not gold. Players you must avoid.

From unhappy campers to injury-prone players (or simply those that can't possibly replicate their 2011 success), I've identified four players whose names will carry more value than their performances this season.

Consider yourself warned. 

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

This one is pretty simple—McFadden has lost 19 games to injury in his first four seasons. Sure, he's been spectacular when he's played in the past two seasons, finishing with 2,432 yards from scrimmage (121.6 yards per game) and 15 touchdowns in just 20 games. 

But in ESPN snake drafts, McFadden has an average draft position of 22.1, meaning in 10-team leagues you'll need to snag him in the late second or early third round.

Given his injury history, is he really worth a pick that high?

I'm not buying.

I may regret losing out on his production if he stays healthy, but I'll sure be glad I avoided him if he misses any time. And it sure will be nice owning running backs that don't make me cringe every time they get hit, as well.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Remember when Chris Johnson's holdout lasted throughout the summer last year, he came back to the team out of shape and he was a huge fantasy bust in 2011?

Now imagine that, but if Johnson had never gotten his contract and was peeved with the front office. That's what you're looking at with Maurice Jones-Drew.

The Jaguars have made it clear that they won't cave in to MJD's contract demands (via NFL.com), meaning he'll either hold out into the season or begrudgingly come back and play for the team.

In either scenario, is he really a guy you want for your fantasy team?

Not me. I leaned my lesson with Johnson last year. This time around, I'm sticking to happy, in-shape running backs.

Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) and Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)

No two players are being more overvalued this season in fantasy drafts than these two. Each set records last year (Cam Newton's 14 rushing touchdowns for a quarterback, Gronkowski's 18 touchdowns and 1,327 receiving yards for a tight end) that they are unlikely to replicate.

And yet both are still being taken in the second rounds of fantasy drafts. Yikes.

You can read more on why I think Newton's fantasy numbers will regress here, though the gist of it revolves around the fact that I don't think he'll come anywhere close to matching his rushing-touchdown output this season. 

And are you really going to take a tight end in the second round? Are you really going to bank on Gronk matching his historical numbers, on a Patriots team with a lot of weapons (and now Brandon Lloyd)?

Not I.

If they drop past the second round, I'll consider both. But I'm not going to break the bank, because these two are being drastically overvalued. No thanks.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are cracking like a Ronda Rousey armbar.