Fantasy Football Heartache 2010: The Top 60 Fantasy Disappointments (with Video)

The No. 1 rule in fantasy football: Expect the unexpected.

If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.

For all of the fantasy owners recapping their seasons as we enjoy the NFL playoffs, here is your time to vent.

First round busts such as Randy Moss, Ryan Mathews and Ray Rice.

Mid-round duds like Dallas Cowboys duo Felix Jones and Tony Romo.

Sleepers like Dexter McCluster and Devin Aromashodu who stayed in bed.

Here are the top 10 fantasy football disappointments of 2010.

Note: All stats are up until Week 13, which is the last game for the regular fantasy season in most fantasy leagues.

Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs

The explosive, shifty and speedy playmaker was supposed to light up the NFL in his rookie season. McCluster was expected to be used all over the field for the Kansas City Chiefs as he is a heavy dose of lethal injection for opposing defenses in the open field.

McCluster was also going to be the primary kick returner for the Chiefs and proved how dangerous he was in the opening game against the San Diego Chargers.

Unfortunately, McCluster was hobbled for most of the season by injury and Charlie Weis was never able to tap into his unlimited potential.

McCluster caught just 17 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown.

Steve Smith, New York Giants

Steve Smith was one of the biggest surprises last season. Always a solid receiver and route runner, nobody could have predicted his output last year. Smith was one of the premier pass catchers in the league as Eli Manning’s favorite, most reliable target. Smith was Manning’s security blanket last season. Smith took the backseat to Nicks all year and never came close to matching last year’s amazing totals. To make things worse, Smith has been out since last month with a pectoral injury. He could return this week, but he can’t return to the top of the fantasy perch until next season at the earliest.

In 16 games last year, Smith caught 107 passes for 1220 yards and seven touchdowns.

In eight games this year, Smith caught 47 passes for 517 yards and three touchdowns.

Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland Browns

Massaquoi had a nice rookie season. This year, he failed to build on last season’s performance. A big target, Massaquoi was expected to be the main target of the Browns’ passing attack. Instead, Massaquoi got off to a slow start and then was the victim of a brutal James Harrison hit that caused a concussion.

Last season, Massaquoi caught 34 passes for 624 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, Massaquoi has only caught 27 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns.

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons

The Hall of Fame tight end was one of Matt Ryan’s primary targets last season. Ryan had a bit of a down year last year but this year has been far better. With his progression, it was expected that Gonzalez would remain of the top fantasy tight ends in the game in his second year in Atlanta. Instead, Gonzalez has often been forgotten as Roddy White seemed to hog all of Ryan’s targets throughout the season. Gonzalez’ receptions, yards and touchdowns were down this season. If the Falcons manage to win the Super Bowl, this could be the last time we ever seen one of the best tight ends in the history of the game.

For the year, Gonzalez caught 54 passes for 537 yards and four touchdowns.

Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears

Olsen should be Jay Cutler’s favorite target. He is a big threat in the red zone and has very good hands, size and speed at the tight end position.

Unfortunately, Mike Martz does not utilize Olsen properly, which makes him a poor fantasy option.

Olsen did catch five touchdowns, surprisingly. Yet to nobody’s surprise, he caught just 30 passes for 336 yards.

Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

With Devin Hester’s speed, he is always an interesting receiving option for somebody with the arm strength of Jay Cutler.

Since Hester has such dynamic playmaking ability, he is often a popular potential fantasy breakout option.

Once again, Hester and the Bears failed to maximize on his potential.

Hester caught two touchdowns and 371 yards on 32 receptions.

Devin Aromashodu, Chicago Bears

From 2009

Without a true No. 1 wide receiver in Chicago, everyone and their mothers were predicting just who would breakout for the Bears.

Aromashodu was a popular pick because he appeared to have all of the skills necessary.

Turns out Mike Martz and the Chicago Bears coaches didn’t think so.

Aromashodu caught a pass in just three games. He caught six balls for 120 yards and zero touchdowns.

Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

Mike Sims-Walker had a dreadful season for the most part to follow up his 2009 breakout season.

In seven games this year, he caught three or less passes, including two games without recording a reception. He also suffered an ankle injury.

He took the backseat to breakout tight end Marcedes Lewis.

Many had their doubts about Sims-Walker heading into the season and they were proven right.

He caught just 36 passes for 466 yards and four touchdowns.

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts

From 2009

One of the top fantasy tight ends, Clark was expected to reign supreme once again as a top five tight end.

Working over the middle of the field as one of Peyton Manning’s primary targets, Clark is usually a safe bet to finish among fantasy’s best.

This year, Clark started great again but then suffered a season-ending wrist injury.

He would finish with 37 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns.

Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts

Many thought Joseph Addai would have a poor season and that Donald Brown would step in and prove that he is the future in Indianapolis.

This led many fantasy owners to draft him as one of the top sleeper candidates.

Brown would disappoint, as he received limited playing time and suffered injuries.

He received just 91 carries, taking them for a total of 293 yards and one touchdown.

Better luck next year.

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts

Joseph Addai is always a popular mid-round pick working in the Colts offense. He knows the system, he is a solid receiver and a fairly good red zone player as well.

This was a rough season for Addai as he missed games due to various injuries and started off slow.

Addai would rush for 406 yards and just three touchdowns this year.

Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts

After his stellar postseason, many believed that Pierre Garcon would catapult into the top 15 or 20 fantasy wide receivers. Some even thought he could take over the No. 1 role in Indianapolis over Reggie Wayne.

Pierre would struggle since the opening week with dropped passes. Every now and then he would show stellar receiving skills, such as his fantastic one-handed reception against the Washington Redskins, but Garcon would be a headache for Peyton Manning most of the season.

Garcon went on to catch 46 passes for 534 yards and two touchdowns.

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers

Hines Ward is always a popular player to root for because of his physical, gritty style of play.

This season, however, Ward took a backseat to emerging wide receiver Mike Wallace.

Ward cedes a ton of looks to Wallace and thus Ward had one of his worst seasons in recent memory.

Ward had 41 receptions for 523 yards and four touchdowns.

Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cadillac Williams was finally healthy last season and was a stellar fantasy pick up.

This season, many thought Williams would be a serviceable back as he appeared to be the No. 1 option in Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers quickly became Josh Freeman’s team and in an effort to keep Williams healthy, Raheem Morris gave the keys to rookie LeGarrette Blount who proved to be a very good and dependable running back this season.

Williams received 110 carries and rushed for 365 yards and two touchdowns. He did add 37 receptions for 237 yards and one touchdown.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

Many penciled in Carson Palmer as a lock to break out this season and regain his Pro Bowl caliber form with an improved supporting cast. Palmer would enter with a solid rushing attack, Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Gresham, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco.

Although Palmer didn’t have a major disappointing season, it was disappointing considering this offense had a ton of potential.

It doesn’t seem like Palmer will ever match his hype coming out of USC.

Palmer finished with 3,009 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

Last year, Cedric Benson emerged as a workhorse running back for the Bengals. He was one of the most consistent fantasy players and helped take fantasy owners and Cincinnati to the playoffs.

The addition of Terrell Owens to the offense caused the Bengals to revert back to a passing offense instead of relying on the rush.

This hurt Benson’s owners as he was an afterthought and the Bengals were one of the most disappointing teams in the league because they refused to play smash-mouth football in their attempts to accommodate their big-mouth receivers.

Benson would rush for 837 yards and six touchdowns.

Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals

The introduction of Terrell Owens opposite Ochocinco was supposed to limit the amount of double teams No. 85 saw.

Not exactly.

Ochocinco saw defenses shift his way and Ochocinco would have one of his worst seasons of his career. While Owens was catching all of the passes, Ochocinco was rather worthless for fantasy.

Ochocinco caught just 59 passes for 724 yards and four touchdowns.        

C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

The dynamic rookie running back was becoming a superstar in the preseason with both Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch battling injuries.

After his preseason performance, many fantasy owners decided they would “reach” for Spiller in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle.

They caught lightning alright. Lightning struck their potential star, causing him to burn out.

Spiller would see very limited playing team, even after Lynch was traded to Seattle in October. Spiller’s season would sputter out even further when he suffered an injury later in the season.

Spiller caught a touchdown pass but failed to score on the ground. Spiller carried the rock just 48 times for 199 yards. He also caught just 20 passes for 82 yards.

Spiller will still be looked at as a breakout sophomore next year.

Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks

Justin Forsett was one of the breakout stars last season.

This year he entered as the Seahawks best running option but was failing in the opening weeks of the season. Seattle then traded for Marshawn Lynch, causing Forsett to cede even more touches.

Forsett ran just 102 times for 469 yards and two touchdowns.

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Alex Smith emerged last year as a solid fantasy quarterback. This year, with a great supporting cast around him, many thought he could make that jump to being a very good fantasy quarterback.

Alex Smith would be inconsistent throughout the season and would also suffer from a shoulder injury.

Smith threw for 1,554 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

From 2009

Maybe this “non-diva” should have tried to become a diva. Maybe that would’ve increased his production.

Crabtree was expected to breakout in his sophomore season after a stellar rookie campaign in which he missed plenty of games.

The 49ers offense was expected to take flight, but instead stayed grounded for the entire season.

Crabtree will try to break out in his third season next year, but in his second year in fantasy, he caught just 41 passes for 554 yards and five touchdowns.

Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals

Breaston emerged two seasons ago as a solid No. 2 in the NFL and No. 3 fantasy receiving option in fantasy.

He had trouble the past two years getting back to that level.

This year he was forced to miss time due to injury and had to work with Derek Anderson at quarterback.

Breaston caught just 39 passes for 632 yards and one touchdown in what was most likely his last season in Arizona.

Derek Anderson, Arizona Cardinals

Throughout the preseason, Matt Leinart and Derek Anderson battled for the starting job.

Leinart was released prior to the season and Anderson was once again given an opportunity to make something out of himself.

He did.

He made himself look like a fool.

Anderson was absolutely dreadful despite having the privilege of throwing to Larry Fitzgerald.

Anderson would be pulled twice this season for rookie quarterbacks Max Hall and John Skelton.

Anderson, dreadful season in which he threw for 2065 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions with three lost fumbles, also included one the NFL’s most epic post-game rants of all time following a Week 12 Monday Night Football loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The historic rant was a fitting end to Anderson’s fantasy season and tenure in Arizona.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals

OK, so Beanie Wells never materialized due to injury.

So as one would expect, Tim Hightower would be the workhorse back for the Cardinals.

Well, it started off that way as Hightower was excellent in the first two games of the season despite fumbling problems.

It all went downhill after that. Hightower ceded the starting gig back to Wells and never regained it. Ken Whishenhunt never trusted Hightower enough to give him full reins of the starting job and both backs proved to be useless.

Hightower averaged nine touchdowns in his first two seasons but would see his production dip in 2010.

Hightower carried the rock 111 times for 519 yards and three touchdowns.

Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

Easily one of the biggest busts this season.

Wells was expected to breakout in his sophomore season, similar to Ray Rice in 2009.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, they didn’t know until after Week 1 when he was surprisingly inactive, that he actually had knee surgery following his preseason injury.

Owners would wait and wait… and wait… and wait some more for Wells to finally gain his 2009 form.

He never did.

Wells rushed 86 times for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints

Meachem was a breakout fantasy receiver last year. He caught nine touchdown passes. Working in the same offense and finally finding his groove in the NFL, many pinned Meachem as the receiver to leap into the next fantasy tier.

Meachem not only failed to exceed his 2009 season, he failed to match it.

Although he did catch five touchdowns, he caught just 31 passes for 515 yards.

Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints

Reggie Bush is always an interesting fantasy pick.

He has the most value in point-per-reception leagues because he is a safety valve for Drew Brees.

To open this season, Bush appeared to run with more power and determination. He hit holes quicker this season and was running better than he has in his professional career.

Then on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers Week 2, Bush broke his leg and was forced to miss the following eight games.

In four fantasy games, Bush rushed for 45 yards and caught 13 passes for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

After last year, Pierre Thomas appeared to be a safe fantasy pick in the high-powered New Orleans offense.

Thomas was expected to be the workhorse back for the Saints.

That was until Thomas suffered a devastating ankle injury and was forced to miss the rest of the fantasy season following Week 3.

Thomas would rush for just one touchdown and 147 yards for his fantasy owners in the 2010 regular fantasy season.

Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins

Usually if one back doesn’t do well in a committee, the other one does. Ronnie Brown had a rough season. And so did Ricky Williams.

Williams was a fantasy star late last season, bringing many fantasy owners to the playoffs and even the championship with his fantastic performance.

With that in mind and Ronnie Brown’s injury history, Williams appeared to be a safe mid-to-late-round fantasy draft pick.

Not so much.

Williams rushed just 122 times for 544 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught one touchdown.

Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins

Ronnie Brown was a popular potential fantasy breakout star as he was entering his final year with the Miami Dolphins.

Generally, those in contract seasons outperform their talent and expectations as they are playing to earn more money.

Not so much for the historically injury-prone Brown.

A master of the Wildcat offense, Brown had his claws clipped and was tamed and caged this season.

Brown actually played in all 16 games but rushed for just 589 yards, with zero 100-yard performances and three touchdowns on just 156 carries.

Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins

Brandon Marshall was traded to Miami from Denver, where he was one of fantasy’s elite wide receivers.

Most thought Marshall would pick up exactly where he left off.

Others were not so sure if Marshall would and wanted to wait a season.

The doubters had the last laugh.

The Miami quarterbacks had a difficult time getting Marshall the ball which, as one would expect, frustrated Marshall to no end.

Marshall even suffered a hamstring injury late in the season and was forced to miss the last two games of the fantasy regular season.

Marshall caught 58 passes for 693 yards and just one touchdown.

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans

Daniels used to be one of the better fantasy tight ends in the league.

Last year, he suffered an injury which cost him most of the year.

Although Daniels wouldn’t enter the season 100-percent healthy, he was still one of the top sleeper tight end candidates and one with arguably the most potential to breakout in Houston’s offense.

Daniels had a rough time regaining his form though.

Daniels caught just 16 passes for 200 yards and missed five games.

Jacoby Jones, Houston Texans

One would think working opposite Andre Johnson, one of the game’s elite receivers this decade, would do wonders for somebody with the size and speed of Jacoby Jones.

Eh, you thought wrong.

Jones was one of the biggest sleeper busts this season. After a season in which he caught six touchdowns, he caught just two in the fantasy regular season.

Jones caught just 29 passes for 275 yards.

Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Matt Schaub was projected to emerge as one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the league.

Oops.

We meant Kyle Orton…

No, really, Schaub has everything to become a top fantasy quarterback. A high-octane offense, accuracy, arm strength and intelligence.

This was just a difficult season for the Houston Texans.

In the beginning of the year, Schaub, Andre Johnson and the Texans aerial attack took a backseat to Arian Foster and the running game.

Schaub wasn’t one of the bigger disappointments, as he was still solid throughout the season, but there were plenty of low-level fantasy games, which is not what fantasy owners expected when they drafted him as one of the top signal-callers.

Schaub finished with 3,089 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins

Despite getting up there in age now, Moss is still one of the top four or five receivers Donovan McNabb has ever played with. Moss runs good routes, has great speed and hands and is a tough receiver who will go all over the field. Moss was expected to produce fantastic fantasy numbers as McNabb’s No. 1 target. Although Moss was on pace to top last season’s numbers, he did not live up to most fantasy expectations. He was not nearly as consistent as most expected, which is arguably the most important factor in his inclusion on this disappointment list, although most of this has more to do with Donovan McNabb than Santana Moss.

Moss had a good season, though, with 64 receptions for 802 yards and three touchdowns.

Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins

McNabb wasn’t expected to be an elite fantasy quarterback, but with Mike Shanahan, he was still expected to produce above average numbers. McNabb, along with his supporting cast, failed for the most part. McNabb just never seemed too comfortable in the Shanahan system and suffered from the lack of a consistent rushing attack. He appeared to develop good chemistry with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley early in the season but that waned as the season progressed.

McNabb’s completion percentage is down to 57.9 from 60.3 last season. He has thrown 3,149 yards and is on pace to top last year’s yardage, but he has thrown just 12 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. He also failed to score a rushing touchdown thus far.

Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins

Portis is clearly on the downturn of his career but was a popular mid-to-late round pick in most fantasy drafts. Many hoped that Portis would be able to recreate his early-career magic working with Mike Shanahan again. Portis was still expected to be a veteran workhorse back and was still young enough to produce. Portis fell victim to injury and failed to produce prior anyways. He simply didn’t prove he had anything left in the tank and perhaps the wear and tear was just too much for him heading into the season. After seemingly taking most of the year off, perhaps he can have a LaDainian Tomlinson-esque resurgence next year.

Portis played in just five games, rushing for 227 yards and two touchdowns while adding just five receptions for 55 yards.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

With a much improved offense around him, Stafford was supposed to show everyone that he was every bit worthy of Detroit’s investment in him. Stafford was expected to take the leap into the next tier of fantasy quarterbacks with Jahvid Best, Brandon Pettigrew and Calvin Johnson at his disposal. Stafford showed great potential in limited playing time. His limited playing is why Stafford is a disappointment, though. Stafford injured his shoulder in Week 1 and missed the following five games. When he finally returned in Week 8 after the bye, he lit up the Washington Redskins for four touchdowns. In the following game, he threw two more touchdowns but was injured again and did not played since.

Stafford threw for 535 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in three games played.

Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions

Jahvid Best looked like he was going to have an all-time fantasy season following the first two games of the season. Along with Adrian Foster, Best was arguably the best fantasy player in the game. It looked like fantasy owners who took Best struck gold. However, turf toe severely set back the electrifying rookie and he wasn’t the same ever since. Best was greatly hindered by the toe injuries as his cutting ability took the biggest hit. Best is the type of playmaker that needs his feet and toes 100 percent because he plants his foot to cut and make defenders miss and then uses his breakaway speed to gain big yards. Once Jahvid Best is healthy next season, we will see what he can truly do. Best’s injury is similar to LaDainian Tomlinson’s in 2008 and 2009. Tomlinson was ineffective due to the injuries but regained his form this season because he was healthy and able to plant his feet to cut.

Best opened the year with 98 yards rushing, four rushing touchdowns, 14 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown in the first two games.

Best’s 12 game totals including those two monster performances are 447 yards, four touchdowns and 50 receptions for 407 yards and a touchdown.

Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings

Shiancoe was one of Brett Favre’s favorite targets last season. Shiancoe is a big target with good hands and athleticism. He was one of last season’s biggest fantasy surprises. Since Favre often looks to his tight end, Shiancoe seemed like a great value pick late in drafts.

Shiancoe owners were left hurting as his production declined because of Brett Favre’s down season. Shiancoe was also hurt by the loss of Sidney Rice, as he now became more of a focal point for opposing defenses.

Shiancoe caught 18 touchdowns in the two seasons leading up to this year. For the year, Shiancoe has just two touchdowns and 437 yards on 35 receptions.

Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

Percy Harvin’s fantasy owners were given headaches all season due to Harvin’s constant battle with migraines. Harvin collapsed in Minnesota prior to the season because of his migraines, so fantasy owners had to be cautious when they drafted him. Harvin was hurt by Sidney Rice’s absence as he was now the main focus for opposing defenses after Adrian Peterson. Harvin was unable to find the room to work with like he did last year and thus the excellent slot receiver’s ability was greatly hindered.

Harvin will match last year’s solid numbers, but with his playmaking ability, he was projected to explode this season for Minnesota and his fantasy owners. In 11 games thus far, Harvin has hauled in 51 passes for 627 yards and four touchdowns with a kick return touchdown.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre had one of his best seasons last year in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings. It was always doubtful that Favre would duplicate such an incredible season. Favre has simply looked old this season. He came into the season with a bad ankle but has since then picked up several more injuries along the way. Now, Favre’s consecutive start streak is in doubt against the New York Giants after suffering a sprained throwing shoulder against the Buffalo Bills Week 13.

Favre cut the turnovers way down last year but they came back with a vengeance this season.

After turning the ball over just nine times last year, he has 23 this season with 18 interceptions and five lost fumbles.

Favre threw for 2446 yards and 10 touchdowns for the disappointing and underachieving Minnesota Vikings.

Favre retired following the Week 16 loss to the Lions.

Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers

Floyd entered the season as the No. 1 wide receiver for the Chargers because Vincent Jackson decided to hold out. Floyd is used in the San Diego offense just like Jackson, as in he is mainly used on deep routes. He uses his size and leaping ability similar to Jackson. Naturally, fantasy players thought he would be a breakout star in the offense.

They were wrong.

They forgot the simple fact that Malcom Floyd isn’t too good.

He missed four games this season, three due to a hamstring injury in the middle of the season. In nine games, Floyd has 609 yards and four touchdowns on just 31 receptions. He caught three or less passes in five games this season.

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

The Chargers traded up in the 2010 draft for Ryan Mathews. With that move, many believed that Mathews was the one to fill the void left by LaDainian Tomlinson. Many thought Mathews was in the best possible situation as he would be the featured back, catch a ton of passes and receive goal line duties. What they forgot to realize is that the Chargers’ offensive line was terrible in the past two years blocking for LaDainian Tomlinson, that Tomlinson was one of the most talented backs in the history of the NFL and, most importantly, that Mathews had never done anything in the NFL to warrant a first or second round fantasy draft pick.

Mathews proved doubters right in the opening game of the season. He didn’t run well and had issues holding onto the football. As the season began to take off, the Chargers opened as one of the most disappointing teams in the league. Mathews also hurt his ankle and the starting job was filled by fullback Mike Tolbert who ran with more power and effectiveness than the rookie. Mathews also lost the goal line carries to Tolbert to try and preserve the rookie as Tolbert was more effective with his power and bruising build.

Mathews has rushed 82 times in eight games for 382 yards, two touchdowns while adding 15 receptions for 92 yards. He has lost three fumbles.

Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles

Celek was one of the breakout stars last season. It was even better that he was a tight end because any time a fantasy owner can receive massive production from a tight end, it’s like icing on the cake. Celek entered the season expected to duplicate last season’s totals. Kevin Kolb was going to look his way early and often as they were supposed to have fantastic chemistry. Unfortunately, the chemistry never materialized. When Michael Vick took over the starting job, nobody knew he would come equipped with improved field vision and accuracy from the pocket. With his improvement, some would expect that Celek would produce as well. Celek became an afterthought in the offense as Vick was finding receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin all over the field and never needed to use Celek as the security blanket Donovan McNabb did last year.

Celek has just 30 receptions on the season for 342 yards and three touchdowns.

Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles

Kevin Kolb was expected to be the future for the Philadelphia Eagles. Equipped with a fantastic supporting cast, head coach Andy Reid believed he found the right man to replace Donovan McNabb.

Kolb was terrible in the preseason, but he was a worthy mid to late round gamble because he would conductor a pass-happy offense.

Kolb continued his poor play into the first season of the game but was forced out of the game early with a concussion.

Michael Vick replaced Kolb and took the starting gig from Kolb with his excellent play.

When Vick was injured, Kolb started for the Eagles and was inconsistent.

Kolb played in just five games, throwing for 1035 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

Two years ago, Williams emerged as one of the best running backs in fantasy.

Williams boasts fantastic speed, vision, power and even solid receiving ability.

This was a dreadful year heading into his free agency.

Williams began the year highly ineffective in the Panthers’ putrid offense. He failed to rush for 100 yards in each of the first seven games. Finally, he was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury following Week 7.

He finished the season rushing for just 361 yards and one touchdown.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

Although Stewart started to make some noise to close out the year, he was a rather worthless fantasy pick for the majority of the season.

At the beginning of the year, Stewart saw limited touches. He would do nothing with them.

In the middle of the season, Stewart was injured.

Stewart went from averaging 10 touchdowns per season in his first two years to having an awful season in what is usually a breakout season in one’s third year in the league.

Stewart finished with three touchdowns (one receiving) and 398 yards on 102 carries.

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

Smith was one of the top veteran wide receivers entering fantasy drafts. With Matt Moore, Smith saw a lot of success at the end of the 2009 season.

Moore was expected to open as the starter and Smith was going to be healthy at the start of the year.

Moore suffered a concussion in the first game of the season and the Carolina Panthers quarterback situation became arguably the worst in the league. Smith would suffer from various injuries throughout his disappointing 2010 campaign.

Smith finished with 39 receptions for 498 yards and two touchdowns.

Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Mason is usually a reliable fantasy veteran.

Although Mason doesn’t break out at this point in his career, Mason is usually a dependable, safe bet for receptions.

This season, with Anquan Bold and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Baltimore for the first time, Mason ceded a ton of targets to his new teammates. This worked for the Ravens, but not fantasy owners.

Mason caught 45 passes for 598 yards and four touchdowns.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice was supposed to be a top five draft pick. Some even had Rice No. 1 overall. He failed terribly to produce.

Rice was expected to dominate following his breakout 2009 season. He was coming back to an offense he excelled in, which was expected to be even more improved with the addition of Anquan Boldin.

Rice failed to match last year’s numbers.

Rice rushed for 844 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 49 receptions for 410 yards.

Shonn Greene, New York Jets

Greene was expected to be the workhorse back for the Jets.

That was until LaDainian Tomlinson found his “lost” step and outshined Greene in every aspect of the game.

Tomlinson proved to be one of the team’s MVP’s, forcing Greene to the back burner.

Greene rushed for 639 yards and one touchdown on just 153 carries.

Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys

Miles Austin opened the season with two of the top performances in fantasy.

Then he fell off.

He had a problem of dropped passes throughout the year. He lost looks to emerging rookie receiver Dez Bryant in the middle of the season and tight end Jason Witten late in the year.

After his 2009 breakout season, Austin caught 59 passes for 804 yards and five touchdowns.

With Romo back next season, Austin should re-emerge as one of top fantasy wide receivers.

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Romo started off having a solid year and was on pace to become one of the better fantasy quarterbacks in the game.

That was until he met the New York Giants at home Week 7.

At that point in the season, the Giants vicious defense was taking out quarterbacks game by game. Tony Romo felt their wrath as he was struck down on a clean, wide open hit, which resulted in a broken collarbone.

Romo was lost for the season and finished the season with 1605 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys

Since Marion Barber had such a disappointing season, one would think the other half of the Cowboys running attack would have performed well then.

Nope.

The electric playmaker failed to produce for fantasy owners, again. This is just what we should have expected from Jones, who has always failed to produce for fantasy.

A popular mid-round draft pick, Jones was useless as he rushed for just 531 yards and zero touchdowns. He caught 40 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown.

Better luck next year, owners.

Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys

Barber used to be an early fantasy draft pick but entering this season he fell to a mid round selection because of durability concerns and many fantasy owners wondering if he would be the starter or merely the “closer.”

Despite his draft stock, Barber represented a ton of value for a mid round selection because he is a great pass catching back and one of the better red zone backs the league has to offer. At the very least, Barber was expected to get touchdowns.

Instead, Barber was awful for his fantasy owners and failed to contribute all season.

Barber has missed the last two games with a calf injury.

In 11 games, Barber has just three touchdowns and 313 yards with just 11 receptions for 49 yards.

Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers

The veteran has been great throughout his career. He entered the season another year older with poor knees from the wear and tear of the NFL.

Driver is usually a solid fantasy pick as he plays in one of the elite offenses in the league, but this season it just seemed like the stack was against him.

This proved to be true. Driver was unable to stay healthy as he missed three games and was unable back in his usual rhythm.

Driver caught 38 passes for 437 yards and four touchdowns.

Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers

Jermichael Finley exploded late last season after he came back from injury.

Entering this season, Finley looked like he could be the No. 1 fantasy tight end in the league. Equipped with one of the top quarterbacks in the league, Finley is a huge target with great speed, leaping ability and hands. In essence, Finley had the skills of a wide receiver in the body of a tight end. He was going to be Aaron Rodgers’ ideal red zone target.

Finley injured his knee in Week 5 and all hope was lost as the Packers were forced to put him on injured reserve.

Finley caught 21 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown in five games after catching 55 passes for 676 yards and five touchdowns last year.

Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers

Fantasy owners expecting a reliable fantasy option when they drafted Grant in the early rounds of their fantasy drafts.

Grant has been the workhorse back for Aaron Rodgers’ Packers since Ahman Green left

Although Grant isn’t a good football player, he has been very good to his fantasy owners in the past. He rushed for over 1200 yards in 2008 and 2009 and even scored 11 rushing touchdowns last year.

With Aaron Rodgers’ offense looking to be the best in the league in the preseason, Grant seemed like a great value pick.

Instead, fantasy owners were left with nothing to show for their draft pick when Ryan Grant was put on injured reserve after injuring his ankle in the first game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ryan Grant will most likely never be drafted that high ever again.

Randy Moss, Tennessee Titans

Randy Moss was a consensus first round draft pick.

One month into the season, the consensus determined that the consensus was wrong.

Moss was arguably the very worst draft pick in fantasy. He started slow with the Patriots but at least caught a couple of touchdown passes.

He was then traded to Minnesota, which turned out to be an awful mistake for the Vikings. He as then placed on waivers and “awarded” to the Tennessee Titans, where he was worthless.

Moss would catch 27 passes for 375 yards and five touchdowns.