2017 Fantasy Football Busts

Fantasy football is always an exciting part of the NFL season, but there is always the risk of drafting a bust that tampers with your season. Here is a position-by-position look into who you should avoid drafting this year in fantasy:

QB

Ben Roethlisberger: Even though he has two elite targets in Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, as well as a great receiving running back in Le’Veon Bell, “Big Ben” is notorious for winding up with mediocre fantasy seasons, finishing 16th among quarterbacks in 2016. I typically wait on selecting a quarterback in drafts, and Roethlisberger is one name you should definitely avoid reaching upon.

Blake Bortles: Bortles has posted staggering numbers within the fantasy world in the past few years, but it’s important to note that most of his points have come within garbage time. He continues to struggle with his accuracy and turnovers rates, and Bortles could even be benched later in the year because of it. Also, with rookie running back Leonard Fournette to lean on, Bortles may have a lot less attempts than his career-high 625 in 2016.

RB 

Ameer Abdullah: Abdullah seems to be going pretty high in fantasy drafts, but what has he done to prove his worth? The third-year running back was injured in 2016, and didn’t prove much the year before. He is definitely talented, but we have not seen the consistency from Abdullah that we had hoped for so far. With veteran Theo Riddick slowly stealing reps, Abdullah has found himself within a committee, which is a nightmare for most fantasy owners.

Marshawn Lynch: Lynch was an electric player earlier in his career, and he still could be, but there is just too much uncertainty regarding how good he will actually be. The veteran retired after the 2015 season, a year in which he struggled. How will the age of “Beast Mode” affect him? It may not at all, but I wouldn’t risk drafting him in the early rounds based off of name value.

WR

Jarvis Landry: Landry has loads of talent, and is a pretty consistent slot receiver that is capable of reeling in receptions. However, he struggles within the touchdown department, as well as making enough big plays down the field. He has not proven he is a superstar quite yet, and although he is great for PPR leagues, I would avoid selecting him within any standard formats.

Amari Cooper: Much like Landry, Cooper struggles with hauling in touchdowns. While he is an upcoming young star, Cooper still needs some developing in order to reach his full potential. Although the Raiders contain a high-powered offense, I’d rather select a consistent WR2 veteran from a different franchise over Cooper.

TE

Rob Gronkowski: Gronk has proven to be one of most talented tight ends in the NFL. However, his history of injuries does not make him a safe pick in the early rounds, which is where his ADP (average draft position) has him listed. Considering New England has also added Brandin Cooks to their elite offense, that could very well affect Gronkowski’s value in fantasy leagues.

Eric Ebron: Many are hyping up Ebron for the 2017 campaign, but he has essentially been a fantasy bust since the day he was drafted by the Detroit Lions. The tight end has not proven he is consistent enough to be valued as a TE1 in most leagues, as there are a handful of alternative options I would take over Ebron.

Image: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

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