Predicting This Season's Fantasy Football Flops

Since I just had my fantasy football draft a few days ago—like many of you probably did now that the critical third preseason game is over—it's time to start putting together some predictions.

Of course, rather than give you some late choices for breakout stars and sleepers, I'm giving you the players that you might regret having sitting on your roster, as these are my predictions for the fantasy football flops in 2015.

Overdrafted DEF: Seattle Seahawks

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As someone who lives in Seattle, I really want to believe in the Seattle Seahawks defense—and they very well could be the top-rated D in both the NFL and fantasy this season.

But, are they really worthy of being taken in the top 10 rounds in a fantasy draft? Absolutely not.

With guys like Richard Sherman at corner, Earl Thomas at safety, Bobby Wagner at linebacker and a handful of rushers on the defensive end, the Hawks should be more than solid once again, but without imposing defensive back Kam Chancellor—who's holding out for a new contract—and a couple of extra hits from deep playoff runs the past two years, I'm not sure Seattle will be as dominant.

Injured DEF: St. Louis Rams

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The St. Louis Rams defense is absolutely stocked with solid pass rushers and potential playmakers—they just haven't been able to bring it all together the past few years.

With players like Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald and a healthy Chris Long, the Rams are a hot pick to break out and become fantasy studs in 2015.

I'm not one of the believers, though, as they're still the Rams, meaning they have bad luck that could lead to injuries to some of the aforementioned players.

Most Frustrating DEF: New England Patriots

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The New England Patriots may have just had a huge win with the news that they'll be getting golden-boy quarterback Tom Brady for the full season, but that doesn't make the defense any better.

While the Pats are coming off of a Super Bowl victory and, traditionally, under head coach Bill Belichick, have had a stout defensive unit, this is a team that you're buying based off of the brand name, not the production.

Replacing big man Vince Wilfork on the D-line and, even more so, all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis in the secondary might not be as simple as all of us think it may be for the Pats.

I'm not saying this team isn't going to the playoffs again, but don't expect the D to be a top-10 unit in fantasy.

Overdrafted TE: Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)

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Much like the aforementioned New England Patriots defense, buying into Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys is a purchase made based solely on what he has done in his great career, not what he will do.

Again, that's not to say that Witten isn't a borderline Hall of Famer whenever he does call it quits, but 2014 saw his targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns go way down, which is not a trend you want to see from your starting tight end.

Witten is a big name, but he won't put up the production those who are drafting him so high as a TE1 may think.

Injured TE: Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers)

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For years, San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was a monster at his position, rewarding fantasy owners by putting up numbers that rivaled starting wide receivers.

In the past few years, though, Gates has battled nagging injuries that have decreased his speed and limited him in separating versus defenders.

Suspended for four games for violating the NFL's league substance policy, Gates is already behind the 8-ball for 2015, and I don't see him being healthy enough to make a serious impact.

Most Frustrating TE: Jimmy Graham (Seattle Seahawks)

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Other than the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski, there hasn't been a bigger name at the tight end position than Jimmy Graham over the past few years.

Hauling in 85 balls for nearly 900 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014, when Graham got traded to the Seattle Seahawks, he may be excited to join the two-time reigning NFC champs, but he shouldn't expect his offensive numbers to go up.

The Hawks aren't the New Orleans Saints, who like to air it out, instead preferring to pound the ball with runner Marshawn Lynch.

Graham will have his fair share of red zone looks, but for those expecting him to put up typical Jimmy Graham numbers, you're crazy.

Overdrafted WR: Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

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After a huge rookie season in 2014 that included 68 catches, 1,051 yards, 12 touchdowns and a third-place finish in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans showed that he's an absolute stud.

However, I wouldn't touch him in fantasy this year before at least the eighth round.

That has nothing to do with Evans' ability, but it is based on the fact that the Bucs have a rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston who will have to adjust to life in the NFL, another big-time receiver in Vincent Jackson who has been more reliable throughout his career and a lack of a proven running game that scares defenses into doing anything but playing pass and rushing Winston.

Injured WR: Randall Cobb (Green Bay Packers)

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Thus far this preseason, the Green Bay Packers have lost Pro Bowler Jordy Nelson to a freak knee injury and then got a scare when his running mate at wide receiver, Randall Cobb, went down with a shoulder injury in the third preseason game.

Even though Cobb has said he won't miss a game in the regular season, sometimes a player thinks his will is bigger than what his body allows him to do.

Cobb is great, but I have a weird feeling that this injury could linger all season long.

Most Frustrating WR: Brandin Cooks (New Orleans Saints)

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According to Sports Illustrated, New Orleans Saints wideout Brandin Cooks is ready for a breakout campaign in 2015—with a lot of people drinking the Kool-Aid on that theory.

I just don't see it.

The kid has good size, speed and all the ability in the world, but he just went from No. 3 on the depth chart in 2014 when, as a rookie, he battled injuries and inconsistencies to play 10 games and grab 53 balls for 550 yards and three touchdowns, to the top target of Drew Brees.

Will Cooks make a leap in 2015? Of course, as he'll get a lot of looks on a team that likes to pass.

Do I think he'll be the stud that everyone expects him to be? Nope, so don't buy so high on him, and, if you already have, try to sell high now.

Overdrafted RB: C.J. Anderson (Denver Broncos)

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Another player whom many believe is bound for a big 2015 season, C.J. Anderson of the Denver Broncos proved last year that he had what it takes to make an impact in the league. But can he do it over the course of a 16-game season?

Despite his being ranked by ESPN.com as the sixth-best runner in the league—ahead of proven players like Matt Forte and Alfred Morris—selecting Anderson in the first-round is a high-risk play that could set your entire fantasy season back.

Having a great running back might not be as critical to fantasy success as it once was, but you still need a guy who can be your horse, and, with Peyton Manning still under center in Denver, I have yet to believe that the team is ready to hand the rock off 275-plus times to an unproven guy.

Injured RB: LeSean McCoy (Buffalo Bills)

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If you were scared about perennial fantasy star LeSean McCoy's production prior to being traded to the Buffalo Bills this offseason, the news of his current injury might not have you too optimistic moving forward.

The Bills think that their newest offensive weapon won't be ready for Week 1, meaning anyone who owns the guy in fantasy is sweating about how he'll perform all season long.

Hamstring injuries on running backs don't just dissolve into the air, so McCoy is a cautious player until he proves otherwise—and I don't think he'll prove it all season long with the paltry offense the Bills will be marching out each week.

Most Frustrating RB: DeMarco Murray (Philadelphia Eagles)

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In a two-player keeper league and blessed with the No. 1 overall pick, I had a tough choice to make with those who remained on the big board.

Did I go with receiver Demaryius Thomas or one of the highly rated running backs like Jeremy Hill or DeMarco Murray? I went Thomas.

That's not necessarily a pat on the back for the Denver Broncos receiver as much as it is a knock on DeMarco Murray, who, after leading the NFL in rushing yards last year and scoring a huge contract in free-agency with the Philadelphia Eagles, should have been a no-brainer as my top choice.

Despite a history of injuries before his 2014 campaign and an insane workload last year, Murray could have a good year, but if he's being counted on as the premier back that he was with the Dallas Cowboys, it's a huge mistake.

Overdrafted QB: Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)

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For years, I had hoped and prayed that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees would end up on my fantasy team, proving that he was a stud with three straight 5,000-yard-plus passing season from 2011 to 2013.

That streak ended last season—in fairness to Brees, he missed it by 48 yards—but that's not the only reason I'm not feeling the Brees this season.

Losing a ton of their top targets due to trades, free-agency or continuous aging, the Saints know that they need a more balanced attack in order to compete for a Super Bowl since they are unable to outscore opponents every game.

Brees is a clear No. 1 quarterback who will put up 4,000-plus yards and have a 2:1 touchdown-interception ratio, but it won't be 40-20 as we've come to expect, meaning his value drops below a second-rounder—which is where some fantasy owners are selecting him.

Injured QB: Sam Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles)

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I really, with everything I have, want to believe in the story of Sam Bradford.

Talented as all hell, the former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall selection has battled injuries and a bad supporting cast since coming into the league in 2010.

Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, Bradford gets a fresh start on a team capable of making some serious noise and plenty of weapons around him, making the signal-caller a popular choice for a breakout campaign.

Unfortunately, as much as I want to think he can be, in five seasons he hasn't been capable of proving he can stay healthy, and for that reason, I see him banged up again in 2015.

Most Frustrating QB: Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)

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Ladies and gentleman, allow me to introduce the quarterback who will make you lose your hair, your mind and, quite possibly, cause you to throw something at your TV.

That would be Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, who, after signing an extension worth over $100 million this offseason, has even more pressure on him to perform at a high level.

The former No. 1 overall pick has had one season, 2013, in which you could say he was worthy of fantasy glory, as the rest of his time in the league has been up and down, battling inconsistency and a stagnant offense.

Cam has the talent to be a superstar, but he'll be your most frustrating quarterback for one reason: He has no weapons.

With star receiver Kelvin Benjamin out for the year with a knee injury and no other capable options at the position, a running back in Jonathan Stewart who has lots of mileage and an offensive line that needs to show more to protect their franchise passer, it will be a long and frustrating season for those entrusting Cam Newton as their everyday quarterback.