The 25 Biggest Boom-or-Bust Players in Fantasy Football

Attention all fantasy football junkies: This article could mean dividends for you and your fantasy experience this season. 

I would strongly advise you to check out the players on this list prior to drafting. If you have already drafted, then I guess I'm sorry—just beware of the players listed! 

Here are the 25 biggest boom-or-bust players in the 2011 fantasy football season. 

Drafting or acquiring one of these guys could be quite the gamble, as all of them have the potential to be a big-time boom or simply an all-time bust.

Arian Foster

If I'm sitting with the first overall pick in my fantasy draft, I am not using it on Arian Foster.

Why? Not because he's an amazing talent and was such a productive running back, but because he has the potential to be a one-year wonder.

Foster came out of nowhere in 2010 as he ran for a league-high 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns—but only managed to rack up 257 yards the year before.

There's definitely a good chance will be this year's best back again, but there's a slim chance that he can be a big-time bust.  

Ryan Mathews

Ryan Mathews simply didn't live up to expectations in 2010. However, people need to realize that he was just a rookie and was bitten by the injury bug.

Mathews is definitely a talented back with loads of potential and upside and could burst onto the scene in 2011.

If there are more reliable players on the board than Mathews, then stay away my friends. 

Matt Forte

Matt Forte is definitely a workhorse, but is an inconsistent fantasy player if you're depending on him to be your lead running back.

Forte has crossed the 1,000-yard mark in two out of his three years in the NFL, but it's definitely not certain if he'll manage to produce 1,000 yards for the third time in 2011. 

Shonn Greene

When is Shonn Greene finally going to have his coming-out party? Seriously, the guy has so much talent and potential and plays in a run-first offense. 

Greene improved on his numbers last season, as he ran for about 250 more yards, and could be on the rise in 2011. 

If Greene is available in the mid-to-later rounds, then snag him ASAP—he's worth the gamble. 

Chad Ochocinco

I am going to make this very clear: Do not expect Chad Ochocinco to have a Randy Moss-like year in 2011, he's simply not that kind of receiver.

However, it's definitely a gamble that I'd take by selecting him to be my second option at wide receiver, or even first option.

This will be Ochocinco's first year with Tom Brady, and the two have the potential to be absolutely dynamite. 

Julio Jones

It's almost unfair to put such high expectations on a rookie, especially a wide receiver, but Julio Jones is definitely feeling the pressure entering his rookie year with Atlanta.

Jones has the potential to be an integral part in Atlanta's offense, lining up opposite of Roddy White. 

Keep in mind that he'll either have amazing numbers or his presence will open up the field for White. 

Reggie Bush

Do not draft Reggie Bush to be your starting running back, end of story.

Bush has only played one full NFL season and that was his rookie year back in 2006, and his numbers have been rather disappointing ever since. 

The great thing about Bush is that he's a quality running back that can produce like a wide receiver—but his health is the major question mark. 

Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates is by far the top fantasy tight end entering 2011, but there's just one problem, he never stays healthy. 

Gates was incredible last year as he reeled in 50 balls for 782 yards and 10 touchdowns, but only played 10 games—imagine how many amazing his stats would be if he played a full season. 

Gates is the ultimate boom-or-bust. 

Roy Williams

Roy Williams has the potential to be a No. 1 wide receiver, especially lining up in Mike Martz's offensive system in Chicago.

Williams will join Chicago as the team's top receiver for Jay Cutler, who has a cannon of an arm. 

It's just a matter of Williams staying consistent and Cutler getting the ball to him on a regular basis.  

Sidney Rice

Did you know that wide receivers go to Seattle to die? Hopefully, that this is not the case for Sidney Rice.

Rice is such an amazing talent but rarely stays healthy. In fact, he's only played one full NFL season in his four-year career.

Also, don't forget that Tarvaris Jackson will be throwing Rice the ball in the Emerald City, definitely a major concern. 

Frank Gore

Could Frank Gore be entering the twilight of his career? Perhaps.

Gore hasn't been able to play a full season since 2006, but still has been a productive running back.

Do not select Gore to be your No. 1 running back, as health is such a major concern. He's best suited to be a team's second option at running back. 

Mark Sanchez

Will Mark Sanchez ever develop into a solid quarterback in the National Football League? Who knows, he's far too inaccurate at this point of his career.

Sanchez does have the potential to produce respectable numbers with the weapons surrounding him (Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason). 

I'm sorry, but a career 54.4 completion percentage does not impress me whatsoever. 

Chad Henne

This is it for Chad Henne; it's a make-or-break season for the Miami Dolphins quarterback.

Henne has so much upside and potential, but has yet to apply his talent on the field.

Will this be the year that Henne can develop into a solid NFL quarterback? He will definitely feel the pressure on his shoulders entering 2011. 

Donovan McNabb

Donovan McNabb appears to be at the end of his career, but hopefully he proves me wrong.

McNabb in his prime was such an incredible option to have at quarterback. Not only does McNabb have a big arm, but he found ways to scramble for quality yards and maybe a few touchdowns here and there.

McNabb will be joining the Minnesota Vikings after an extremely disappointing one-year stint with the Washington Redskins. Maybe McNabb can end his career on a positive note. 

Jay Cutler

Why can't Jay Cutler just take care of the football? Seriously, he has such an amazing arm that it gets him into trouble. 

Cutler can make any throw in the NFL, but always finds ways to push the needle too far, resulting in an interception. 

I would not select Cutler to be my starting quarterback, by any means. 

Chris "Beanie" Wells

With the departure of Tim Hightower, Beanie Wells can possible develop into the running back that we all know he can be. But, there's one problem: rookie Ryan Williams out of Virginia Tech.

Wells will have competition for the starting job in Arizona, but can be a nice late-round sleeper pick.  

Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram will join the New Orleans Saints with an amazing opportunity: He can be the difference-maker that can balance New Orleans' pass-first offense.

Ingram is one amazing running back with loads of upside and potential, but remember, he's just a rookie.

The former Heisman Trophy winner will have all the chances in the world to succeed in New Orleans, but it's just a matter of him executing and producing at a high level. 

Braylon Edwards

Braylon Edwards will have a shot at emerging as a dominant force in the NFC West. 

Edwards joins the San Francisco 49ers with the potential to be the team's No. 1 wide receiver. However, I'm sure that we're all well aware of his frequent case of the "dropsies."

Keep in mind that the 49ers have major issues at the quarterback position—do not draft Edwards until the later rounds! 

Deion Branch

Can Deion Branch stay healthy in 2011? Who knows, but probably not. 

If Branch stays on the field, he's one of Tom Brady's favorite receivers. In fact, Branch played in 11 games for New England last year as he reeled in 48 passes for 706 yards and five touchdowns—not bad for a wide receiver coming off of the bench. 

Kyle Orton

Well, we're almost 100 percent certain that Kyle Orton will be the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback in 2011, for now at least.

Who knows if John Fox and John Elway will decide to swap Orton for Tim Tebow, which is highly unlikely, but still there's a chance.

If Orton keeps his job in Denver, he has a shot at racking up quite a few passing yards for your fantasy team. 

Darren McFadden

Darren McFadden finally had his breakout season in 2010, but still found a way to get injured. When is Run DMC healthy? Is he ever? 

McFadden has yet to play a full season during his three years in Oakland but found a way to accumulate 1,157 yards in 2010 while scoring 10 total touchdowns on the ground and through the air.

If McFadden can remain healthy, he's the ultimate running back as he's a threat on the ground and in the air. 

Jahvid Best

Jahvid Best kicked off his rookie season in a boom with four touchdowns in his first two games with the Lions, but did not score a touchdown for the remainder of the season. 

Best will have the chance to be the team's featured running back this year, with rookie Mikel Leshoure missing the entire season with a left Achilles' tendon tear. 

Best is definitely not a No. 1 option in fantasy football, but could be a No. 2 option this year. 

Ryan Grant

Ryan Grant missed all of last season due to an ankle injury which makes him a possible bust in 2011.

In Grant's three full years in the league, he crossed the 1,000 yard mark twice and is definitely talented enough to do it every year.

I wouldn't depend on Grant to be my No. 1 running back this year, but he's a solid choice to be your second option. 

Plaxico Burress

Who knows how well Plaxico Burress will play in 2011 after spending nearly two years in jail. 

Burress will be lining up opposite of Santonio Holmes with the Jets this year and could have a rather productive season, but it's uncertain.

I would not spend any high draft pick on Burress, as he's such a major question mark. 

Kevin Kolb

Kevin Kolb was possibly the hottest name throughout the 2011 offseason. Will he amount to a franchise quarterback that the Arizona Cardinals believe he will be? I think so, but that's just me.

Kolb has all of the weapons to be great in Arizona, especially Larry Fitzgerald.

If Kolb can develop a solid relationship with Fitzgerald this year, then the duo can produce huge numbers for fantasy teams. 

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