Top Five Fantasy Football Draft Busts Heading Into Week Three

Sure, it's only two weeks gone by to the 2008 season.  There are some interesting story lines to follow -- a Brady-less Patriots, an 0-2 Chargers, a 1-1 Colts with a seemingly average QB in Peyton Manning.  Also, the expected "surprising" up-and-coming teams; this year's Bills, Broncos, and Cardinals.  But fantasy-wise, this year more than ever certain players are standing out as fantasy draft busts pretty early in the season.

Here are my Top Five, not counting players who are out for the season due to injury (i.e. Tom Brady).

5. Laurence Maroney, Patriots

Though not many people were banking on him to be a #1 fantasy RB, his excellent end to last season had people wondering whether the Patriots would use him often in a more balanced offensive attack.  Not only has this not yet happened, but Maroney doesn't even seem to be the Patriots' starter as of right now.  67 yards in two games isn't all that impressive.

4. Carson Palmer, Bengals

Coming into fantasy football season, I had never thought too highly of Palmer.  Any QB with an average offensive line and two amazing wide receivers could do what Carson Palmer did in three years with the Bengals.  Although his wideouts are a little bit banged up right now, Palmer has no excuse for just 228 passing yards, no TDs, and a pathetic 37.1 QB rating.

3. Larry Johnson, Chiefs

Another player I stayed away from during draft time, Johnson is nearing the end of a long, successful NFL career.  The truth is, though, he is worth nearly nothing to me in fantasy right now, partly due to his slowened speed and his shored-up offensive line.  34 carries for 96 yards and no TDs telll the tale.  Not to mention his meager 2.8 YPC average.

2. Steven Jackson, Rams

Fantasy owners who drafted Jackson last season probably ended up regretting it, due largely because of his knack for getting injured.  However, when Jackson is healthy, there is no denying that he is a beast.  So with a healthy Steven Jackson coming into the 2008 season, he's the ultimate #1 RB, right? 

Not so fast. 

Even a healthy Jackson couldn't land himseld a TD in his first two games, which must be pretty demoralizing for the owners who bought into his potential.

1. Joseph Addai, Colts

For someone who was listed as a Top Five RB by virtually every fantasy rankings imaginable, Addai certainly hasn't put up the numbers to show for it.  27 carries, 64 yards, a 2.6 YPC average, and only 1 TD in an offens which loves to use its RB in the red zone.  The only hope for fantasy owners who drafted Addai is the one consideration that both the defenses he has faced so far (Bears, Vikings), have prolific run defenses.  If Addai doresn't shape up pretty soon, however, I would consider cutting him.

Other than that, here are a few honorable mentions who have definitely not been playing up to par so far this season: Peyton Manning, Matt Hasselbeck, LaDainian Tomlinson, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Todd Heap, and a few others which I am not remembering right now.

For those fantasy owners who did draft any of these players (like me), good luck for the 2008 season!