Fantasy Football: Matt Cassel and 9 Other Players to Avoid

With the start of the 2011 NFL season right around the corner, many fantasy football leagues are getting close to draft day. Whether you are a casual player or a hardcore fantasy football fanatic, having a solid draft is an important first step towards contending in your league.

Here are 10 players you should avoid in your fantasy league this season.

No. 1: Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel

Last season, under offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Matt Cassel threw for 3,116 yards, 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. In other words, he had a solid fantasy season.

However, Weis left the Chiefs to take a position with the University of Florida. That means that Cassel will be working with his third quarterback coach in as many years. That kind of instability in coaching can be hard on a quarterback, as every coach has their own personal philosophy on how things should be done.

Not helping matters any this year is the difficulty of the Chiefs' schedule. They play the Steelers at home, and go on the road to face the Colts, Jets and Patriots. Cassel will find it hard to put up big numbers against those quality teams.

Cassel could still be okay as a backup quarterback on your fantasy bench, but there is a lot of risk in building your team around him as your starter.

No. 2: Minnesota Vikings QB Donovan McNabb

Last season, Donovan McNabb threw more interceptions than touchdowns for the first time in his career.  He struggled to establish himself in the Washington Redskins' offense and was an unreliable starter from week to week. He also posted his lowest  quarterback rating since his rookie season in 1999.

While it is true that the 34-year-old has more weapons in the Minnesota Vikings' offense, he is always an injury concern. His age has also slowed down his ability to escape the pocket and run, which has been a weapon for him in the past.

If McNabb struggles in Minnesota, rookie Christian Ponder might see playing time. While he was a premier fantasy starter for several years in the past, McNabb is past his prime and should be avoided in fantasy leagues this year.

No. 3: Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler

After having a huge season with the Denver Broncos in 2008, Jay Cutler has not been the same quarterback since joining the Chicago Bears in 2009. Last season, he accumulated 24 touchdowns, but also threw 16 interceptions, while fumbling the ball six times.

The amount of sacks that the Bears' offensive line causes Cutler to endure really hurts his productivity during the season. Last season he took a league-leading 52 sacks. That is more than enough to wear on any quarterback's level of play.

Things don't look to be getting any better on the front either. In the Bears' first preseason game against the lowly Buffalo Bills, Chicago allowed its quarterback to be sacked nine times. That is an abysmal stat for any defensive line.

Cutler can be a very frustrating quarterback to have on your fantasy team. He could have a big game one week, and then an absolutely terrible game the next. The fact that he only had one 300-yard passing game all season last year shows just how much he lacks the ability to have consistent big games.

Save yourself the headache this season and avoid putting Cutler on your fantasy team.

No. 4: Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams

Although he was a strong fantasy back in 2009, DeAngelo Williams is a risky pick in this year's fantasy drafts. He was injured for the majority of last season, and his production took a sharp drop.

Williams' foot injury last year is a warning flag for a running back. Although Williams could have a bounce-back year and return to a form similar to that of 2009, he could also re-injure his foot and be another letdown for fantasy owners.

Unless you are really desperate for a running back or can take him really late in your draft, Williams is a player to avoid this season.

No. 5: Indianapolis Colts RB Joseph Addai

Colts running back Joseph Addai has been a fantasy disappointment for most of his career. He is one of the most injury-prone running backs in the NFL. In fact, he has not played a full season since his rookie campaign in 2006. Frequent injuries translates into low fantasy production.

Addai has rushed for less than 850 yards in each of his last three seasons. He also had a career-low four touchdowns. He is the epitome of an unreliable running back to own in a fantasy league.

Addai should not even warrant a late-round pick as his track record is poor enough to not even trust him as your No. 2 back.

Avoid him in your draft this year.

No. 6: Arizona Cardinals RB Beanie Wells

After a stellar college career in an Ohio State Buckeyes uniform, Beanie Wells has been a major disappointment in the NFL thus far. He was expected to overtake Tim Hightower as the Cardinals' lead back, but was unable to outplay him before he was traded to the Washington Redskins.

The Cardinals also drafted running back Ryan Williams in the 2011 Draft, which would seem to indicate that they are ready to move on from Wells. Who knows? Wells could finally live up to his potential this season and be the steal of your fantasy draft. However, it is not worth risking your teams' success by taking Wells high in your draft.

If you are looking for a potential sleeper late in your draft, then Wells should receive some consideration. Other than that, avoid him this season.

No. 7: Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward

In 2008-09, Hines Ward was a great wide receiver to have on your fantasy team. However, age seems to be finally catching up to him. He will be 35 years old this season and saw a sharp decline in his production in the Steelers' offense last season. In fact, he had his fewest amount of yards and receptions since the 2000 season.

The Steelers also have two emerging talents at wide receiver in Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders. The presence of both players may push Ward into a third option for Ben Roethlisberger.

Ward definitely still has some value in fantasy leagues, but he should not garner a high pick like he has in the past. There are much better receiving options on the Steelers, and Ward is a player to avoid this season.

No. 8: Indianapolis Colts WR Austin Collie

Last season, Austin Collie showed signs of being a No. 1 fantasy wideout. He caught 58 balls for 649 yards and 8 touchdowns, in only six starts. However, he was extremely hampered by frequent injuries. First it was a nagging thumb injury that kept Collie out and then it was three concussions that made him lose significant playing time.

While there is quite an upside to drafting Collie, there is also a huge risk in doing so. One more severe concussion could actually cost Collie his young career. If you are a risk-taker, then Collie might be worth a look,. But he should be avoided in most circumstances.

No. 9: Denver Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd

Last season, Brandon Lloyd was a huge fantasy surprise in most leagues. He caught 77 passes for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns. Needless to say, he helped many a fantasy owners get farther in their leagues.

However, there is reason to believe that his season was a fluke. The Denver Broncos are Lloyd's fourth team, and he never had a season similar last year.

In fact, in his two seasons before his breakout in 2010, Lloyd caught a total of 34 passes for 481 yards and two touchdowns. It is also rare for a player to have a breakout season of that kind at the age of 29.

With the uncertain quarterback situation in Denver and new head coach John Fox, known for being conservative in his offense, only add to the reasons that you should avoid drafting Brandon Lloyd this fantasy season.

No. 10: Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch

While still only 25 years old, Marshawn Lynch has not rushed for over 1,000 yards since the 2008 season. He was traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Seattle Seahawks in the middle of last season, and only average 3.5 yards per carry as the lead Seahawks' rusher.

The Seahawks have struggled on offense in recent years, and opposing defenses will be able to key in on stopping the run. It looks like Lynch's days of being a high fantasy draft pick are over. He could be a serviceable fantasy bench option, but will not be worth starting most weeks.

Although he is likely to be the starting running back this season, Lynch is a player to avoid for fantasy owners.