Mike Fanelli· Aug 29, 2026
Fanelli names eight fantasy football busts to avoid drafting in 2026, arguing each will not return value at his current average draft position: Christian McCaffrey, De'Von Achane, Justin Jefferson, Bucky Irving, Jameson Williams, Harold Fannin Jr., Courtland Sutton and Jake Ferguson.
“Therefore, let’s look at eight fantasy football busts to avoid drafting.”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
8 checkable claims — 8 fantasy bust calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
8 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Fantasy Bust CallsCourtland SuttonDenver BroncosAug 29, 2026
Courtland Sutton to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 76.6 (WR33))
“the trade crushed Courtland Sutton’s fantasy value ... Sutton has seen a decline in targets and receiving touchdowns in back-to-back years, a trend I expect to continue.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Bucky Irving to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 45.8 (RB20))
“Bucky Irving (RB – TB) | ADP: 45.8 (RB20) ... The Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell to a significant contract in free agency and called the veteran a co-starter during training camp, signaling their lack of trust in Irving as a featured running back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Harold Fannin Jr. to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 70.2 (TE5))
“Fannin should get drafted closer to the TE10 than his TE5 ADP.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Justin Jefferson to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 11.8 (WR6))
“fantasy players should avoid drafting Jefferson as a top-six wide receiver and a top-12 pick”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJake FergusonDallas CowboysAug 29, 2026
Jake Ferguson to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 112.4 (TE12))
“Jake Ferguson shouldn’t get drafted in standard-size leagues, as CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens limit his upside.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsDe'Von AchaneMiami DolphinsAug 29, 2026
De'Von Achane to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 10.8 (RB6))
“I won’t draft him as a mid-range RB1 and would like to avoid picking Achane altogether with Malik Willis under center.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJameson WilliamsDetroit LionsAug 29, 2026
Jameson Williams to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 57.2 (WR26))
“Fantasy players should avoid drafting the former Alabama star at his sixth-round ADP (WR26) and target a pass-catcher with less volatility instead.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian McCaffrey to fall short of his draft cost (ADP: 5.8 (RB3))
“Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF) | ADP: 5.8 (RB3) ... the superstar turned 30 this offseason and is a ticking time bomb because of his age and injury history.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Trevor RipleyRoster Spot Calls · Dillon BellMiss · 0Ripley expects Max Brosmer to return to the Vikings on the practice squad after being waived, and thinks Dillon Bell may draw waiver interest but is also a practice squad candidate for Minnesota.
- Randy GurziRoster Spot Calls · Justin BarronMiss · 0Gurzi predicts the Cowboys' 17-man practice squad, naming each player he expects Dallas to sign, including a surprise addition of released Giants tackle Evan Neal. He also predicts Jaydon Blue will be claimed off waivers by another team and that Sam Williams will land elsewhere.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandMiss · 0Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Tyler SullivanDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100An unsigned CBS Sports preseason review grading all 32 teams, which along the way stakes out a number of depth-chart calls for Week 1 and beyond — including Deshaun Watson opening as Cleveland's starter, Fernando Mendoza taking over as Las Vegas' QB1 by season's end, and Minnesota's Murray-Wentz-McCarthy quarterback order.
- Ryan WilsonDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100A CBS Sports piece states Deshaun Watson has won Cleveland's starting quarterback job for Week 1 with Shedeur Sanders next in line, while arguing Watson will not play like even an average NFL quarterback and that none of the Browns' current young passers should stop them from drafting a first-round quarterback next April.
- Rafael ZamoranoDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Zamorano argues the Browns do not have a franchise quarterback and that it's unlikely Watson or Sanders is their long-term answer.
More fantasy bust calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Ryan WormeliFantasy Bust Calls · Zay FlowersMiss · 0Host Ryan Warmley endorsed Ricky Pearsall as a bet worth making and put his rookie-receiver capital in Tetairoa McMillan, while fading Zay Flowers at his cost and opting out of Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Derek BrownFantasy Bust Calls · Zay FlowersMiss · 0Derek Brown ("Debro") laid out a slate of wide receiver breakouts — Ricky Pearsall, Jalen Coker, Egbuka, Jalen Waddle, Joshua Palmer, George Pickens, DeVonta Smith and Travis Hunter — while fading Xavier Worthy, Tyreek Hill and the cheap Cleveland/late-round types, and gave his own rankings well ahead of ADP for several of them.
- Chris WelshFantasy Bust Calls · Austin EkelerHit · 100Welsh drafted Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, the Rams and Saints receivers, Justin Fields (a top-10 QB), Drake Maye (QB10-14), Travis Kelce and Tyler Warren, while passing on Joe Mixon, the Commanders backfield, Tyreek Hill, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
- Joe PisapiaFantasy Bust Calls · Rashee RiceMiss · 0Joey P (Joe Pisapia) played draft-or-pass on 2025 fantasy values: he passed on Christian McCaffrey at pick 7, Breece Hall, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Travis Hunter and Chris Olave, while drafting RJ Harvey, Tyreek Hill, Tetairoa McMillan, Puka Nacua, Tyler Warren and a late-round Joe Mixon.
- Pat FitzmauriceFantasy Bust Calls · Breece HallMiss · 0Pat Fitzmaurice gave draft-or-pass calls: reluctant drafts on Christian McCaffrey, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillan (his WR16), Rashee Rice at a ninth-round price, Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Chris Olave, Drake Maye (his QB8) and Tyler Warren, with passes on Breece Hall, Joe Mixon, Croskey-Merritt, Tyreek Hill, Travis Hunter, the Rams receivers and Justin Fields.
- Derek BrownFantasy Bust Calls · Chuba HubbardHit · 100Derek Brown ("Deebro") names three busts to avoid in 2025 fantasy drafts: Kyren Williams at an RB1 price, Chuba Hubbard as a top-20 RB, and Xavier Worthy as his ultimate bust, arguing Rashee Rice is the clear No. 1 receiver in Kansas City.