Peyton Manning and 10 Big Name NFL Players Who Will Bust in 2011

If you are a fantasy football fan, you are in one of two places right now: either you have already drafted your fantasy football team and are deliberating ways to improve it, or you are diligently preparing to do so. 

Either way, it is always important for someone who hopes to be successful in fantasy football to look out for one scary thing—a bust!

Busts are big name players who flounder and fall to produce the statistics that people are hoping for. Think Brandon Marshall of last season or Laurence Maroney in his rookie season. 

Busts can not only hurt a team from bad performance but because they also waste a high draft pick. 

Buyer beware, here are 10 big name NFL players who will be busts in 2011. 

10. Thomas Jones (RB)

After some very successful seasons with the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets, many people thought Thomas Jones was nearing the end of his career when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, yet he surprised a lot of people last season. As a backup to Jamaal Charles, Jones rushed for almost 900 yards and six touchdowns.

He proved to be the goal line favorite in Kansas City, and he vultured a few touchdowns that should have gone to Charles, upping his fantasy value a lot. 

This year, however, I think Jones is going to disappointment. He is 33, Charles is one of the best rushers in the league, and a recent locker room brawl leads me to believe that Jones is falling out of favor in Kansas City. 

9. Stevie Johnson (WR)

After two invisible seasons, Stevie Johnson exploded last season in his third year with the Buffalo Bills. The former Kentucky Wildcat collected over 1,000 receiving yards and scored 10 touchdowns. 

Johnson was Buffalo's only real offensive highlight of last season and was one of the greatest fantasy surprises. 

This year, however, the secret is out, and I don't mean among fantasy owners...

Defenders are going to be double-teaming Johnson on many plays, and his stats will diminish as a result. I see this happening even more dramatically now that Buffalo traded away veteran wide receiver Lee Evans, who served as Johnson's only effective decoy last season. 

8. Michael Crabtree (WR)

One of the most stellar college wide receivers of his class, Michael Crabtree has still yet to find his niche in the NFL. 

Crabtree has struggled with injuries as well as the poor quarterback situation in San Francisco. Alex Smith, who I label as one of the biggest draft busts of all time, was re-signed a few weeks ago to a one-year deal. I don't know what the 49ers are thinking; Smith clearly isn't working there. 

Crabtree has talent, but expect another lackluster year from him and the San Francisco 49ers. 

7. Darren Sproles (RB)

Is it fair to call Darren Sproles a "big name?" Maybe not, but he is certainly an established player in the league and always a running back that fantasy owners see a lot of potential in. 

The little man (5'6") has never seen anything more than a backup role in six seasons with the San Diego Chargers, yet he is now on the New Orleans Saints, and some people are speculating that he can see an increased offensive role in NOLA. 

I don't believe he will. I think the Saints will use Sproles mostly on slants, screens, and halfback pitches, while Pierre Thomas will get the bulk of the carries out of the backfield. Don't rely on Sproles. 

6. Donald Driver (WR)

A Hall of Famer in my mind, Donald Driver has had one of the most consistent careers over the past decade. 

Unfortunately, all great things must come to an end, and Driver is fighting a battle with a tough opponent: age. 

Driver is 36 years old, and he simply doesn't have the strength or stamina of up-and-coming names in Green Bay like Jordy Nelson, James Jones, or tight end Jermichael Finley. 

Driver may have provided you years of fantasy success, but his glory days have passed. 

5. Jeremy Maclin (WR)

Jeremy Maclin's season has gotten off to a rocky start. He missed the first few weeks of camp and preseason while doctors were running tests on why he had symptoms that included general weakness and fatigue.

Thankfully, nothing life-threatening came out of these tests and Maclin has since started working out with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Philadelphia is going to spread the ball around a lot, and with the amount of offensive weapons that they have, Maclin's production will simply be too inconsistent. 

4. Kyle Orton/Tim Tebow (QBs)

I included both Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow on this slide to emphasize my point: avoid any Denver Bronco quarterback. 

Kyle Orton had, fantasy-wise, a fantastic season last year. He threw for over 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns. 

For whatever reason, however, there is a quarterback battle in Denver. Orton should have the job and will to start the season, but the second he had a bad game, Tim Tebow has a lot of potential to come in and get a chance at the job. He is the quarterback of the future in Denver. 

Just avoid either of these guys, you're asking for frustration and confusion if you draft them. 

3. Darren McFadden (RB)

I don't have a terribly good reason to put Darren McFadden on this list other than that I have a hunch. 

It's not very justified, but if you look at it, McFadden's season last year has all signs pointing towards fluke. 

A stellar college star at Arkansas, McFadden was a complete disappointment during his first two NFL seasons. He couldn't stay healthy or find any sort of groove. Then last season, out of nowhere, McFadden rushed for over 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns. He still missed a few games due to injury, however. 

I would avoid McFadden. He is a MAJOR injury concern, and I wouldn't be surprised with another season from him like 2008 or 2009. 

2. Donovan McNabb (QB)

Donovan McNabb was terrible last year with the Washington Redskins, and I don't think that will change this season with the Minnesota Vikings. 

McNabb has had an amazing career and is a definite Hall of Famer, but he's done. 

Minnesota's offense will struggle this year without wide receiver Sidney Rice. Running back Adrian Peterson is obviously brilliant, yet he has been carrying a heavy load for a few seasons and is due for an off-year. McNabb's only big target is wide receiver Percy Harvin, and he will likely be double-teamed often. 

Don't rely on McNabb to have a revival season and quarterback your fantasy football squad. 

1. Peyton Manning (QB)

I could go to football hell for saying this and there is a good chance I will eat my words by Week 5 of the season, but I do not think Peyton Manning will have a good year this season. 

Even typing those words feels weird, but I truly think that and all the signs are pointing towards it. 

First off, Peyton is apparently recovering from a neck injury and will not play in any of the preseason. Even if he starts the season in perfect health, he will probably be a little cold and not as warmed up as he should be. 

Secondly, the Indianapolis Colts have an aging offense that relies almost entirely on Peyton Manning. The offensive line stinks, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are both over 30, and the run game in Indianapolis is sub-par. Running back Joseph Addai is very good but can't stay healthy, and Mike Hart and Donald Brown haven't been too impressive. 

When you combine Peyton's health with his lack of protection and aging targets, all the flags are in place for one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time to have a bad season. Here is a list of quarterbacks to draft over Peyton Manning:

-Tom Brady, Michael Vick, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Ben Roethlisberger, Tony Romo, Joe Flacco, Matt Schaub, Eli Manning

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