Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Top 5 Busts to Send Packing

It’s that time of year when we have a clear indication of who the stud fantasy stars are and who is a gigantic bust.

Unfortunately, a number of top picks this year in most fantasy football drafts are looking like duds.

First rounders like Chris Johnson, Arian Foster and Jamaal Charles are either hurting or playing awfully, and it may be time to start looking for other options.

Let’s take a look at five guys who you are going to want to try and trade or send to waivers because they simply aren’t producing during this 2011 NFL season.

Chris Johnson

I can’t believe CJ2K. He was a jerk this offseason and spent it doing God-knows-what in Florida instead of working out with his team.

He did all of that to get a new contract and acted very immaturely until the team opened their wallet and paid him like a franchise superstar.

Now that he has his monster deal, Johnson is not producing. He has 46 carries for 98 yards on the season and 13 catches for 91 yards and no touchdowns at all.

He looks inconsistent, and the team needs to work on fixing their run game and getting Johnson motivated and involved.

For now, move Johnson to the bench and pick up someone who can actually produce on a consistent basis on waivers.

Arian Foster

Foster has had barely any snaps in his first three games and has been dealing with a tweaked hamstring since preseason.

He only saw limited action in the Week 2 victory over Miami, and he finished with 10 rushes for 33 yards on the ground and two catches for seven yards.

Foster was considered a top-five pick in almost every format of fantasy, but looks like he may be a bust and his career year could be a fluke.

Keep him on your bench as he could regain his form when healthy, but it is becoming more and more unlikely with each passing week.

Michael Vick

What a surprise, Michael Vick got injured again in the Philadelphia Eagles loss to the New York Giants. Initial reports have the franchise QB possibly missing four weeks because of his broken hand, and it just seems like he can’t stay on the field this year.

Vick is productive and a good QB when he can stay healthy, but it seems that he is even more brittle this year than he was last year.

It seems that people are always high on Vick, so trade him when he is ready to start again and his value is up. I wouldn’t hang on to him, because this bust won’t be playing enough for you to win your league with him. 

Peyton Manning

Give up on Manning if you haven’t already.

I know people are holding out hope that he will return late in the season, but the Colts are so bad this season there just isn’t a point.

I firmly believe that Manning would be better off resting for the entire season. The team would receive a high draft pick, and he would be very healthy and ready to go for next year.

There simply would not be a point in having Peyton rush to return just to play for a Colts’ team that isn’t playoff bound. 

If you are still holding out hope, you are wasting a roster spot.

Frank Gore

Gore was injured today in a pile-up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rookie Kendall Hunter came in and performed admirably, so it seems that the team could use them as more of a platoon.

The injury does not look to be serious and Gore should not miss any games, but it did affect his playing time and number of snaps during the game on Sunday.

Rotoworld noted that:

“[Gore] finished with 42 yards on 17 carries, and didn't have a reception. Fantasy leaguers will want to pick up rookie Kendall Hunter, who closed out Sunday's game with 38 yards and a touchdown on 11 touches. Anthony Dixon did not have a carry.”

I agree that Kendall Hunter is a great pickup in any fantasy format where he is available. The 49ers have been struggling on offense and the team could lean heavier on Hunter with him having such a good showing to close out the win over the Bengals.

Gore could be traded while his value is still decent, but he isn’t going to have a good season.