Fantasy Football: Steve Smith and 10 Former Fantasy Studs To Give Up On

It is sometimes hard to give up on the players that have previously led you to a fantasy championship.  It's a harsh reality, but someones gotta let you know when it's time to give up on that player. 

This year's "former fantasy studs that you should give up on list" is headlined by Steve Smith the former Carolina Panther stud. 

Some of my picks might surprise you, but pending a major relapse, look for these players to be on a lot of free-agent lists by the end of the season.

Steve Smith: WR Carolina Panthers

Steve Smith has been on a steady decline since his stellar season in 2008. 

That season he caught 78 balls for over 1,400 yards (averaging 101.5 yards per game) and six touchdowns and probably led a lot of people to fantasy glory.  In 2010 however, Steve Smith failed to gain 100 yards in any game and didn't score a touchdown after Week 2. 

Things are not going to get any easier this season for Smith as he has to deal with rookie QB Cam Newton.  Newton only went 8-19 in the preseason game, and I don't foresee this being a high-scoring tandem this season. 

In addition, Smith is already having trouble staying on the field with an injured finger, which could linger all season. 

Newton's overall lack of accuracy + Steve Smith's declining skills = a situation I am looking to avoid in fantasy drafts this season. 

Ronnie Brown: RB Philadelphia Eagles

For some reason Ronnie Brown has been overvalued as a fantasy running back his whole career. 

The former second overall pick has never really lived up to the hype.  He only has one 1,000-yard season, and he only gained 1008 yards.  His best season was probably in 2008 when he scored 10 touchdowns.  Other than that season, he has never been a No. 1 fantasy running back and has been a weak No. 2 for that matter. 

This season is none the same as Ronnie Brown should not be rostered on your fantasy team.  He was brought in as protection in case LeSean McCoy gets hurt, and that's about it.  I envision Brown having a similar season as to what Jerome Harrison had last year for the Eagles. 

You may have thought that Brown once was an elite RB, but to his and your dismay, he no longer has that title and should not be on your team this fantasy season.

Thomas Jones: RB Kansas City Chiefs

Thomas Jones has quietly been a top five talent since the 2004-2005 season.  Even last season he had almost 900 yards and six touchdowns. 

Those numbers are worthy of a roster spot on your fantasy team, but this year is going to be different.  Not only has Jamaal Charles taken over as the top running back in the Kansas City backfield, he has become a top five talent as a fantasy running back. 

As Thomas Jones turns 33 this week, the clock is ticking on his NFL running back clock as he turns into a senior citizen as a fantasy back.  You may be fooled by Jones' goal line carries and sparse play during the game; he should not be trusted as a fantasy back this season. 

Let someone else take him and you will be proud of your decision to pass.

Donovan McNabb: QB Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota is taking a chance on McNabb this season, but I urge you to not do the same. 

Donovan is turning 35 soon and is on the tail end of his career.  He still has been a pretty solid QB, throwing for over 3,000 yards for the past four seasons.  Last year, however, McNabb had his lowest QB rating of his career at 77.1, not including his rookie season.

The only noteworthy WR McNabb will be throwing to is Percy Harvin as Sidney Rice now plays for the Seahawks, and Bernard Berrian never has become the WR Minnesota has hoped. 

Adrian Peterson will take pressure off McNabb to perform good, but I don't envision McNabb being a dominant fantasy QB this season or ever again for that matter.

Hines Ward: WR Pittsburgh Steelers

Hines Ward has been a dominant fantasy wide receiver for his career.  He quietly has posted either 1,000 yards or five touchdowns every season since 2001.  That is pretty damn impressive. 

This season is going to be a little different though.  As Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders emerge as fantasy commodities, Hines Ward is slowly fading in the background.  After only averaging 47.2 yards per game last season, it seems as he is just about done being an elite fantasy WR.

Hines Ward may have a couple Super Bowl championships and maybe has brought you to a fantasy championship, but it is time to look elsewhere for a No. 3 WR and leave Ward to the free-agent list.

Tony Gonzalez: TE Atlanta Falcons

Similar to Hines Ward, Tony Gonzalez has been a dominant performer for most of his career. 

Since 1999 Gonzalez has gained either 900 yards or five touchdowns in every season.  That is pretty stellar. Tony G and Matty Ice have created some chemistry the past two seasons, but I think his days on our fantasy rosters have all passed. 

Since you should only be rostering only one tight end on your fantasy team anyways, there should be no reason Tony Gonzalez should be on your team.

Chris Cooley: TE Washington Redskins

Chris Cooley has had some great seasons as a fantasy TE. This season will not be one of them though. 

As Fred Davis is knocking on the door Cooley just can't stay healthy.  Cooley is going to be out another two weeks and will soon be an afterthought as a fantasy tight end.  Fred Davis is the tight end, if any, to own from Washington.

Just like I said with Gonzalez, with only one roster spot for a tight end, Cooley should not be taking it on your team.

Brandon Jacobs: RB New York Giants

Brandon Jacobs is a beast.  Straight up. 

At 6'4", 265 I would not want to be the opposing defense trying to tackle him.  For that reason, Jacobs has scored at least five touchdowns or gained over 800 yards in every season he has played in the NFL. 

Sometimes, when you watch Jacobs play, it seems like he forgets he is that big. For example, he rushed three times for 16 yards with a long of 16 yards in his first preseason game. 

That means he got stuffed for zero yards twice.  At 6'4", 265 you should gain at least three to four yards every time you touch the ball.

Ahmad Bradshaw is now the featured back in New York though, and Jacobs is going to fade in the background this year. If you waste a draft pick on Brandon Jacobs, you will just end up dropping him so don't even waste your time and spend the draft pick on someone that has more upside like Ryan Williams or Daniel Thomas.

LaDainian Tomlinson: RB New York Jets

We all know how much of a fantasy stud LaDainian Tomlinson has been throughout his career. 

If you haven't had him on your fantasy team throughout his career, you have truly missed out on maybe the best fantasy asset of all time.  He has scored double-digit touchdowns every season in his career until last season and over 1,000 every season but the last two. 

It is sad to finally see a fantasy star die, but this seems like it will be the year for Tomlinson.

He did gain over 900 yards and six touchdowns last year, but Shonn Greene is going to be the primary back this season for the Jets, and Tomlinson is going to fade in the background. 

Joe McKnight is also going to steal carries this season for New York as they try and find out if the former fourth-round pick will ever produce.

I urge you to stay away from Tomlinson this season, and if you do that, you will not be disappointed. 

Matt Hasselbeck: QB Tennessee Titans

It is going to be weird seeing Matt Hasselbeck in a different uniform this season as it will be his first time being out of Seattle's uniform since being a backup QB for the Packers. 

Hasselbeck has been a very solid NFL quarterback along with being a good fantasy QB.  He has thrown for over 3,000 yards in all, but two injury-plagued seasons since 2002.  This season will be a little different, as this is the first time Hasselbeck actually has to fight to gain a starting spot. 

Jake Locker looked very good in his NFL preseason debut, and the Titans didn't spend the eighth overall pick for him to sit on the bench.  Hasselbeck may win the job out of camp, but I just can't see Locker sitting on the bench all season. 

For that reason, Hasselbeck is not worth a spot on your fantasy squad so you might as well start looking elsewhere.

So there ya go, 10 ex-fantasy studs that you can now pass on and leave for your league mate's benches.