Fantasy Football Week 4 Rankings: Chris Johnson and 5 Players Sure to Flop

They are more useless than the Kansas City Chiefs defense and only slightly more enjoyable to watch. They are the studs that have turned out to be duds, and there are fantasy owners that want a word. 

This will be the opposite of a love letter or referral or praise. There are a few NFL players that have had enough time to show us what they are truly made of. 

Now that we have seen a few weeks worth of trial and error, only one thing can be surmised: These guys are busts. 

No amount of spiritual healing or good fortune can help them. They are mired in the doldrums for far too long. 

Sure, we may see a breakout game here or there. They will all be outliers to a season that we as fantasy owners would soon forget. 

These are guys that actually made you smile when you called their names a few weeks back at the fantasy draft. There you were, so content in the thought of future glory. 

Now if we fast-forward, we see that these players have cause nothing but heartbreak, broken TV remotes and a kicked cat. 

It is now time to let out all the angst and vitriol we feel. We were promised a shiny new car and were given a scooter that is missing two wheels and only runs on Wednesdays. 

It's time to mount the following men on the Mt. Rushmore of ineptitude. How can I believe in anything when these guys are so bad?

Here are five dudes that are making fantasy owners miserable. 

5. Mario Manningham

The New York Giants were going to make him the No. 2 target behind Hakeem Nicks. In fact, that was going to give him some great touches as Nicks draws the defenders. 

His preseason was enough for Y! to project him as a top-50 player. Well, not so much. 

Manningham is coming back from a Week 3 injury, but that hardly excuses his performances in the first couple weeks. 

With a dynamic Victor Cruz in tow, it will be hard for Manningham to win back the fans or the trust of Eli Manning. 

4. Rashard Mendenhall

I feel bad picking on the guy because the Steelers offensive line has been so bad, so I will pick on both. I feel like every time Ben Roethlisberger hands it off to Mendenhall, he whispers, "Here, now go get hit at the line of scrimmage."

Mendenhall has a lone touchdown in three games of work. That is more of a testament to absent gaps then anything. 

If the Steelers can shore up that line there is hope, but I wouldn't hold my breath. 

3. Frank Gore

Frank Gore has insinuated that Kendall Hunter may have a bigger role in Sunday's game, regardless if he suits up or not (ankle). 

That gives fantasy owners a gift as they have played him every week, only to see him let them own. At some point, you flirt with not starting the man that should be golden every week. 

Gore is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry in 2011 and has just one score. It is enough to make you nauseous. 

2. Chris Johnson

This one is near and dear to my heart as I was forced to keep Chris Johnson over the other refuse I had on my team from last year. 

The man that wanted to get a pay raise has failed to reach 100 yards rushing in three games played. He bookended a 53-yard showing with two 20-yards turd fests in Weeks 1 and 2. 

I waited patiently as you all did. The man was rusty and needed some time. In Week 3, he was facing the prime candidate in a soft defense to have a breakout game. 

All he managed to do was anger me with another sub-10-point fantasy game. 

1. DeAngelo Williams

Good God, what happened to DeAngelo Williams? Someone buy him a clue or give him a hug. 

This Panthers running back looks befuddled and confused at the moment. He isn't making clear-cut decisions, and it is causing him to have a drastically lesser role on offense. 

Williams is averaging just 2.3 yards per carry and is being supplanted by a more versatile Jonathan Stewart.