Fantasy Football Week 4: Big-Name Busts You Must Avoid This Week
Week 4 of the fantasy football season is just a few days away, so it's time to take a look at some of the biggest busts of the season thus far. These are the guys you drafted in the early or middle rounds, but haven't produced squat through three weeks.
Will they get back on track this week? What should you do with them? All will be explained in a few moments. Let's get started.
20. Devin Aromashodu, WR, Chicago Bears
1 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: What happened? Aromashodu was an incredibly popular fantasy sleeper, and he lived up to the hype in Week 1, putting up a strong game against the Lions. He was on the fast track to fantasy stardom. But a DNP in Week 2 followed by an inactive in Week 3 have seen his promising career derailed.
Will He Stay a Bust? Impossible to say for sure. Right now, it looks like yes, but if the Bears suddenly decide they want to play him, he could easily regain his value.
Why He Should Be On Your Bench: He shouldn't be on your bench. He should be sitting on the waiver wire, for some other poor soul to grab.
19. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
2 of 20
Why He's a Bust: Through three weeks of football, Stewart has yet to crack double digits in carries. He has yet to break 50 rushing yards in a game, either. For a guy who was going as early as the fourth round in some drafts, that's unacceptable.
Will He Stay a Bust? Hard to tell. Carolina's been splitting carries between DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart since Stewart arrived in 2008. The Saints defense struggles against the run, so there could be enough carries for both Stewart and Williams to get out of their early season funks.
Why He Should Be On Your Bench: Until Jonathan Stewart breaks 10 carries or 75 yards in a game, he should either be on your bench or on the waiver wire.
18. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
3 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Johnson has yet to have one of those dominant games we know he's capable of having. Some of that blame lies in Shaun Hill's lack of an arm, but it doesn't change the fact that Johnson's production to this point hasn't matched his high draft position.
Will He Stay a Bust? It seems unlikely, but it is possible. We'll know for sure when Matt Stafford returns from injury.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Sure, he's easily one of the most talented wideouts in football. But Green Bay's secondary is pretty darned good, and they've got the manpower to close Johnson down this week. Although he may find the end zone, don't expect more than 9 or 10 points from him this week.
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17. Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland Raiders
4 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Campbell was a mid-round sleeper in most drafts, and was seen as being a vast improvement in Oakland's quarterback situation. However, after three weeks, he lost his job to backup Bruce Gradkowski, placing him firmly in bust territory.
Will He Stay a Bust? Yes. The starting job is now Gradkowski's to lose, and even if he struggles, odds are he'll put up better numbers than Campbell did.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: He should be on the waiver wire. Stay far, far away from Jason Campbell.
16. Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
5 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Sims-Walker got the vast majority of his points in Week 2, going off against the Chargers. Other than that, he's been pretty ordinary, failing to live up to his mid-round draft position.
Will He Stay a Bust? Sims-Walker has the talent to go off at any time. The problem is, there are no other receiving weapons in Jacksonville, meaning teams can focus on containing him, and force other players to beat them.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Another week, another lockdown. Indianapolis can close down a receiver if they need to, and there's nobody else in Jacksonville who can make them pay for it.
15. Jacoby Jones, WR, Houston Texans
6 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Touted by pundits as the big sleeper for 2010, Jones has found the end zone just once, and has yet to break 60 yards receiving in a game. For all his speed, the Texans appear to be looking elsewhere on their deep throws.
Will He Stay a Bust? Receivers are notoriously finicky creatures, and speed receivers are the worst of the bunch. Jones could go off at any time, or he could just idle for the rest of the year.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Kevin Walter's getting the touchdowns, Andre Johnson's getting the targets, and Owen Daniels is getting better each week. Jones is in serious trouble in Houston unless he starts putting up points this week.
14. David Garrard, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
7 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Garrard was viewed as an effective backup quarterback, worth a late round pickup, coming into 2010. But other than a Week 1 performance against Denver, David's been pretty awful against lackluster competition. He struggled against San Diego in Week 2, and laid an egg against a terrible Eagles defense in Week 3.
Will He Stay a Bust? Possibly. Garrard has gone through these kinds of funks before, but this one extends back to last season. He's not the quarterback he was two years ago, but Jack del Rio hasn't realized it.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Cut. Him. Loose. Time to raise the anchor and set sail from the port of Garrard. There are much better, more reliable options out there.
13. Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
8 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Daniels was widely drafted in the early-mid rounds of the draft (7 through 9), but he's gotten off to a slow start returning from a knee injury suffered last season.
Will He Stay a Bust? No. Daniels is supremely talented, and the Texans are getting him into the offense more with each week that passes.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Daniels will get back to his previous levels of production at some point. But for now, he's not worth the start.
12. Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers
9 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: This was supposed to be the year Alex Smith put it together. He was going to excel and live up to his first overall pick billing. But through three games, Smith has struggled with consistency, failing to deliver accurate passes to his wideouts.
Will He Stay a Bust? We'll know more by Week 6. With a change in the offensive coordinator, Smith could rebound. Or, he could keep stinking out the joint.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Don't completely quit on Alex just yet, but don't look for him to start for you either.
11. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
10 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Manning should be an elite starting quarterback in the NFL. With the receiving talent he has, and the skills he possesses, he should be an excellent passer. But, through three weeks, Manning can't stop turning the football over, making at least two turnovers every week thus far.
Will He Stay a Bust? Quite possibly. Manning typically throws more picks later in the year, so if he's throwing this many this early, it's not a good omen for him down the road.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Manning's fully capable of putting it all together, so you shouldn't cut him. But don't rely on him to be your starting quarterback in fantasy football.
10. San Francisco 49ers D/ST
11 of 20
Why They've Been a Bust: One of the top three defenses on the draft board, and they have -2 points through three weeks. Why do you think they're a bust?
Will They Stay a Bust? Maybe. Or maybe not. Defenses run hot and cold, and are maddeningly inconsistent.
Why They Should Be on Your Bench: Cut them, and look for defenses elsewhere.
9. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
12 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Rice was a consensus No. 4 pick this year, based entirely off his tremendous upside. But through three games, Rice has yet to have a breakout performance, despite his receiving and rushing skills.
Will He Stay a Bust? Doubtful. Rice has the skills to be a big time back in the NFL, and he should rebound at some point.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Frankly, he has no business being on your bench, provided you temper your expectations. He could go off at any time, but right now, there are more productive backs you could have.
8. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
13 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Miller was seen as a reliable tight end to grab in the late rounds of the draft. But he's struggled to make a connection with quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch through three games.
Will He Stay a Bust? Ben Roethlisberger loves throwing to Miller, and he comes back in Week 6. If Miller's going to produce this year, that's when we'll know.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: A tough matchup coupled with the fact that Batch doesn't throw him the ball means you need to hide Miller until Big Ben returns.
7. Terrell Owens, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
14 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: T.O found his name shooting up draft boards with an excellent preseason, showing a connection with Carson Palmer and claiming to be Batman to Ochocinco's Robin. But, through three games, Owens has looked more like Alfred than either of the dynamic duo, failing to score a touchdown or make a significant fantasy impact in 2010.
Will He Stay a Bust? Historically, Owens is better as the season goes on, but he won't put up the kind of numbers he did in Dallas or Philly anymore.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: He could still have a few big games, making him worth the roster spot. But don't expect any kind of consistent points from T.O. anymore.
6. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
15 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Touted as the second wideout in a pass heavy Colts offense, Garcon has been a flop in 2010. He's developed a case of the dropsies, and even before he got hurt, it was clear he was fourth banana in Peyton Manning's arsenal.
Will He Stay a Bust? For this season, yes. He could fix his dropsies, but Garcon is no longer the deep threat of choice in Indianapolis.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Garcon is talented, but until he produces, do not start him under any circumstances.
5. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins
16 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: When the Dolphins got wideout Brandon Marshall from Denver, Henne suddenly became a viable fantasy quarterback. His draft position rose into the middle rounds, and the hype machine started touting him as the next big thing. Through three games though, Henne has looked more like Trent Dilfer than Dan Marino, failing to generate the kind of numbers we want from our fantasy quarterbacks.
Will He Stay a Bust? Possibly. Henne's a good backup quarterback, because his stats won't kill you, but for now, he's not going to help you much, either.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: He could turn into the quarterback people were expecting when he got the starting job, but for now, he's no better than a second quarterback on most rosters.
4. Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
17 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: The injury to Kevin Kolb was devastating to Celek's fantasy value. Where Kolb used Celek as his flat receiver, Michael Vick prefers to take off running rather than dumping the ball in the flat. That means Celek's value has taken a massive hit.
Will He Stay a Bust? Until Kevin Kolb returns, yes. Celek won't get enough passes thrown to him to be a viable option with Vick at the helm.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Kevin Kolb will be back this season, and when he returns, so will Celek's value. but until that happens, he doesn't merit a starting job.
3. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
18 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Smith has been the victim of his quarterbacks in 2010. Neither Matt Moore nor Jimmy Clausen seem capable of delivering the ball to their best receiver, and because of that, his stats have taken a serious hit.
Will He Stay a Bust? No. Smith is too talented to continue underperforming. Although, if the quarterbacks don't improve, he very easily could be a flop all year.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Go ahead and start Smith; he's the best receiving threat Carolina's got. But don't expect any huge games until he proves he can do it again.
2. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
19 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: I saw Spiller go as early as round three of a fantasy draft. His return stats make him a threat, but he's no better than option two in Buffalo right now. For a third-round pick, that's just terrible.
Will He Stay a Bust? Through three weeks, all signs point to yes for this season. Maybe he'll wake up and have a few big games, but he's not getting the carries or catches to merit playing him.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Spiller's too talented to let him sit on the waiver wire, and no one will trade for him. So, it looks like you'd be stuck with him taking up a roster spot this season.
1. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
20 of 20
Why He's Been a Bust: Crabtree was going as high as the early fourth round in many drafts, but he has been one of football's biggest flops in 2010. The 49ers aren't throwing him the ball enough for him to make an impact, despite the tools he has.
Will He Stay a Bust? Maybe. He's got a ton of talent, and the Niners just named a new offensive coordinator. Maybe he'll figure out that for Crabtree to be worth the money, he needs to get the ball thrown to him.
Why He Should Be on Your Bench: Crabtree's capable of having a big game at any time. But he's too risky to play at the moment, and inches closer to waivable with each bad game.
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