Fantasy Football Week 9: Big-Name Busts You Must Avoid This Week
Fantasy football's Week 9 marks the start of the second half of the NFL season, and it is a key week in many teams' playoff push. The last thing you want to do when trying to clinch that spot in the playoffs is start a guy who seems incapable of not stinking out the joint.
That's why we're bringing you another installment of the biggest busts in fantasy football for Week 9. These are the guys who came into the year with pretty high hopes, but have failed to deliver the goods more often than not. We'll break down why they're busts, whether they'll stay busts and what you should do with them this week.
20. Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Shiancoe came into 2010 as one of the hottest tight ends in fantasy football, and with good reason. He was a top-five tight end in 2009. And with Brett Favre throwing the ball, it was assumed he would continue his upward pattern into 2010. However, through eight weeks, he has just 29 points, most of which came in Weeks 1 and 2. Since then, he's put up no more than three points in any given week.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Shiancoe's drop-off could largely be explained by the presence of wideout Randy Moss in New England. Randy took many of the balls over the middle that used to be for Shiancoe, thereby diminishing the tight end's value immensely. Now that Moss is gone, Shiancoe's value could return.
What Should You Do? Shiancoe could be worth a start this week, to see if he can get back to his early season form. But if you have a better option on your roster, you might be better off benching him for a week or two, just to see if it happens. If it doesn't, cut him loose.
19. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Bryant was extremely boom-or-bust in the first half of 2010, failing to exceed five points in three of his first five games as a pro. For a guy expected to be a breakout star, that's well below where many thought he should be.
Will He Stay a Bust: Doubtful. We've seen that new quarterback Jon Kitna loves throwing to Bryant, giving him big points in Week 7 and a solid Week 8 total as well. If the trend continues, this could easily be the last week Dez appears on this list.
What Should You Do? Start him. It looks like Jon Kitna trusts the rookie wideout, and he's finally making plays like many expected him to. He's not an every-week start, but he's not a bad option in most formats.
18. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Fitzgerald is widely regarded as a top-five receiving talent in the NFL. But his quarterback play has doomed him to fantasy obscurity, as he's failed to crack double digits in all but two of his games this season. For a guy taken in the first two rounds of most drafts, that's unacceptable.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say for sure. We saw last week that when he's given looks in the red zone, Fitzgerald can have a monster game. But with Derek Anderson and Max Hall throwing him the ball, he might never reach the level of production you were expecting from him when you drafted him.
What Should You Do? You can't sit Fitzgerald. His potential ceiling in a given week is too high. But he's not a top-tier wideout at this point. Start him, but don't expect the 15 points per week you assumed he'd get when you drafted him.
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17. Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans Saints
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Meachem was seen as an excellent second-wideout option heading into 2010. But he had a disastrous first half, totaling 38 points while failing to break the five-point mark in all but three of his eight games thus far.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Many thought the talented wideout had found his stride after Weeks 5 and 6, when he posted back-to-back double-digit games. But his last two weeks have shown that he's just as maddeningly inconsistent as ever.
What Should You Do? Bench him for now and if the Saints don't start feeding him the ball more frequently, cut him loose. He needs more games like the ones he had in Weeks 5, 6 and 8, but it remains to be seen whether he can get there.
16. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Miller was seen as a second-tier tight end heading into this season. He'd been a reliable producer in years past, but 2010 has been a colossal disappointment. Outside of an 11-point Week 6 performance, Miller hasn't broken five points in any other game this season. He's been the forgotten man in Pittsburgh's offense and his stats have nosedived as a result.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. Even with Big Ben back under center, the Steelers just aren't throwing the ball to their tight end. He might have a big game every now and then, but he's far from a reliable option at this point.
What Should You Do? Cut him loose. Miller's dead weight at this point.
15. Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Jackson was seen as an excellent second running back, particularly after Marshawn Lynch was traded to Seattle. But Jackson's been less than reliable in 2010, failing to score touchdowns, and proving unable to generate more than 60-75 yards rushing despite getting more than 20 carries per game.
Will He Stay a Bust: Until he starts scoring touchdowns, yes. There are other backs out there who can give you more per game than Jackson, unless he suddenly re-captures the spark he had in 2008 and 2009.
What Should You Do? You don't want to cut Fred, but he's not worth a start, either. Bench him and use him only when one of your better backs has a bye.
14. Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers
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Why He’s Been a Bust: This is not the kind of performance owners were expecting when they made Mathews a fifth-round pick. He has broken the 10-point mark just twice in 2010 and has yet to exceed 75 yards on the ground. He's splitting carries with Mike Tolbert right now, a big step back for a kid who was the unquestioned starter heading into 2010.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. If he can get his 20 carries, the stats say Mathews will produce. But so far in 2010, he just hasn't had enough touches to make a significant impact.
What Should You Do? Bench him or try to trade him. Wait for Norv to start giving him more carries on a regular basis, then play him with confidence again.
13. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Everything started so well for Cutler in 2010. Three straight strong showings had his owners riding high. But since then, the wheels have come off, as he's failed to crack 10 points in three of his last four games, and he is fresh off a four-interception howler against Washington. He's throwing interceptions again and not finding the end zone with the frequency he was before.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Cutler's been up-and-down for most of his career and that doesn't seem to have changed much. He could wind up okay, but he's a risky play in any given week.
What Should You Do? Bench him. He's too valuable to cut outright at this point, but a couple more howlers and he'll be firmly in waiver territory.
12. Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Favre had a renaissance of sorts in 2009, and he was seen as a potential fantasy starter this season. But through eight games, Brett's been a complete disaster, cracking 10 points in just one game thus far. He's battled injuries and poor blocking, and his play has nosedived from last season.
Will He Stay a Bust: Probably, yes. Favre is beaten-up pretty badly at this point, and his stats aren't going to get better if he keeps getting more-and-more hurt.
What Should You Do? Cut him loose. There are much more reliable options on the waiver wire than Favre, and he's not going to get much better this season.
11. Jacoby Jones, WR, Houston Texans
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Jones was a popular sleeper pick at the start of the season, but he seems to have hit the snooze button on 2010. Outside of an 11-point Week 2 performance, Jones has yet to tally more than five points in a game this year. He had a two-catch, six-yard stinker against the Colts on Monday.
Will He Stay a Bust: It's looking more likely by the week. Speed guys like Jones are fluky and can go off at any time. But given his absence from the offensive game plan this season, he's become an albatross for his owners.
What Should You Do? Cut him loose. Time to cut your losses on Jones and move on, if you haven't already. It looks like 2010 will be a wash for him.
10. Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Celek was one of the better tight ends in the NFL in 2009, but he has been a tremendous disappointment this season. He has one 10-point game this year, and he seldom saw the football even with Kevin Kolb at quarterback. With Michael Vick calling the shots now, Celek's value doesn't look too great.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. Vick has yet to throw to Celek with regularity, and he looks to be a lost cause in 2010.
What Should You Do? Bench him. There's a chance Vick will get hurt, or remember that his tight end can catch the ball, but you could get away with cutting him outright at this point.
9. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
12 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Garcon was one of the big breakout candidates heading into 2010. But injuries and shaky hands have seen Peyton Manning lose trust in Pierre, and his stats have nosedived. He's scored five or more points just three times this year and he has just one touchdown.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Last week was supposed to be Garcon's big chance to prove himself, and while he had a solid game (seven catches, 78 yards), it wasn't the breakout many were expecting. Still, he's got a couple more chances to have big games before Austin Collie comes back.
What Should You Do? Garcon could be worth a start for the next couple of weeks, but once Collie returns, he could definitely be the odd man out in Indy.
8. Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Beanie was a hot sleeper pick in 2010, expected to break out with a strong campaign. But the former Ohio State standout has battled injury and poor play this season, failing to crack 10 points until Week 7.
Will He Stay a Bust: Doubtful. It looks like Wells is starting to get rolling after back-to-back double-digit performances the last two weeks. He should start racking up better yard totals soon.
What Should You Do? Bench him this week. Minnesota's defense is still pretty tough against the run, and Wells doesn't look quite up to speed. Until he is, stash him on your bench.
7. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Well, so much for that. Greene was supposed to be the breakout star of 2010. Instead, he's been a fantasy black hole, cracking 10 points just twice and failing to break the five-point mark in any of his other games this season. He's losing more-and-more carries to LaDainian Tomlinson, and he's not running with the same explosiveness he showed last year.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. Unless LT gets hurt (a real possibility), Greene won't see much in terms of fantasy production in 2010.
What Should You Do? Cut him loose. At this point, Greene's not worth a roster spot.
6. Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Brown was viewed as a reliable second back in most fantasy formats heading into 2010. But after posting more than six points just once this year, he's moved firmly into bust territory.
Will He Stay a Bust: Hard to say. Brown's biggest problem has been that he's not scoring touchdowns this season. That could change at any time, but it's hard to know if it actually will.
What Should You Do? Bench him. Use a different running back until Brown finds his scoring touch again. He's getting mid-level yard totals. Now he just needs to find the end zone.
5. Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Jones has been a disaster in 2010 after being seen as a breakout candidate before the season. Other than an 11-point performance in Week 5, he hasn't carried the ball more than 15 times, has yet to score more than nine points (which he's only done once, in Week 6) and hasn't looked like the dynamic back people thought he was.
Will He Stay a Bust: Yes. It looks like the Cowboys aren't going to run the ball much in 2010, and Jones is also battling an injury.
What Should You Do? Cut him loose. In fact, just stay away from Cowboys running backs.
4. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Welker was seen as a steal in the middle rounds of most drafts, and for the first four weeks of the year, he was a not-so-terrible option. But since Randy Moss left, defenses have keyed on Welker and his production has nosedived. He's failed to score more than five points in the three games since Moss was traded.
Will He Stay a Bust: That's one of the biggest mysteries in fantasy football this season. He's not getting the looks in the offense, but he could go off at any point, given his proclivity for 10-catch, 100-yard games in the past.
What Should You Do? You could probably get away with benching Welker if you have a better option at this point, but if you must start him, be prepared for the howler he could produce.
3. Randy Moss, WR, Tennessee Titans
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Moss has been a colossal bust in 2010, failing to make a significant impact in either New England or Minnesota. He was just waived by the Vikings, and even when he was playing, he only posted two double-digit games. For a guy who was a second-round pick in most leagues, that's a disaster.
Will He Stay a Bust: It's highly possible. Moss has the skills to go off at any time, but he just seems out of sorts this season. He'll be learning a new offense when he's signed by a new team, and he's always a threat to pout.
What Should You Do? Bench him until he proves himself. Or try and trade him, but know his value is at an all-time low.
2. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
19 of 20
Why He’s Been a Bust: Stewart was seen as a decent second back in most formats heading into 2010, but he's been a waste of space. He has yet to gain more than 45 yards in a game on the ground and has produced one good week, thanks to a 55-yard touchdown reception.
Will He Stay a Bust: With backfield partner DeAngelo Williams hurt last week, it was Stewart's chance to shine. His 14-carry, 32-yard effort pretty much sums up his prospects from here on out. If he can't produce when he's the only healthy back in Carolina, what chance does he have when he's not the only one?
What Should You Do? Cut him loose. If you want to keep him in the hopes he turns things around, you can. But it shouldn't be hard to find a back who can produce more than Stewart does.
1. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
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Why He’s Been a Bust: Smith has battled injuries, poor play and terrible quarterbacks all season long, and his stats have suffered immensely because of it. After a pair of strong games in the first two weeks of the year, Smith has failed to register another double-digit outing in 2010.
Will He Stay a Bust: With Smith, it's hard to say for sure. He had a solid game last week, but with the quarterbacks the Panthers have, that could easily be a fluke.
What Should You Do? Bench him. He's got a tough matchup against a good Saints secondary this week, and there are better options out there right now.
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