Mike Fanelli· Aug 22, 2026
Fanelli names six players as overpriced busts to avoid in 2026 redraft fantasy leagues based on RTSports ADP: Jalen Hurts, Christian McCaffrey, Bucky Irving, Justin Jefferson, Luther Burden III and Harold Fannin Jr. He suggests alternatives such as Justin Herbert, Tyler Warren and Sam LaPorta.
“Let’s look at six players who are overpriced draft picks based on RTSports ADP for redraft leagues .”
published in writing · FantasyPros · read the original →
6 checkable claims — 6 fantasy bust calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 12 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
6 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.
Bucky Irving to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 40.53 | RB21)
“Bucky Irving (TB) – ADP 40.53 | RB21 ... The Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell to a significant contract in free agency, calling the veteran a co-starter during training camp, showing their lack of trust in Irving as a featured running back.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsJalen HurtsPhiladelphia EaglesAug 22, 2026
Jalen Hurts to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 77.19 | QB6)
“Jalen Hurts (PHI) – ADP 77.19 | QB6 ... Fantasy players can draft Justin Herbert nearly two rounds later and get similar upside out of the quarterback position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Justin Jefferson to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 12.82 | WR5)
“fantasy players want to avoid drafting Jefferson as a top-five wide receiver and a one-two turn pick.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Fantasy Bust CallsLuther Burden IIIChicago BearsAug 22, 2026
Luther Burden III to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 45.81 | WR21)
“Luther Burden III (CHI)– ADP 45.81 | WR21 The hype around Burden has gotten out of control.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Christian McCaffrey to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 5.58 | RB3)
“Christian McCaffrey (SF) – ADP 5.58 | 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.
Harold Fannin Jr. to fall short of his draft cost (ADP 65.33 | TE5)
“Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) – ADP 65.33 | TE5 ... Fannin will have massive target competition in 2026 after the Browns drafted KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- 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.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- John BreechDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The unsigned newsletter author says Deshaun Watson will start Week 1 at Jacksonville, notes he voted for Jaxson Dart as his breakout QB rather than Caleb Williams, and says newly signed Daniel Carlson is the favorite to win the Saints' kicking job.
- Mark ChichesterDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100Unsigned PFF piece reporting/asserting that Deshaun Watson will be Cleveland's Week 1 starting quarterback against Jacksonville, with Shedeur Sanders behind him on the depth chart.
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.