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One 2021 fantasy football bust from all 32 NFL teams

Fantasy football season is fast approaching, and so far, we’ve got you covered with the best team names (that we could print).

This time? This is a list of the possible busts you might consider bumping down your boards as you prepare for your draft.

Last year’s list included some players who did turn out to be busts — Jordan Howard, Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Williams, and so on. I whiffed for sure on Stefon Diggs and Derrick Henry (but as you’ll see, I’m going back in to declare the Tennessee Titans RB might not be worth his ADP!).

Let’s look at one potential bust per NFL team heading into 2021:

1
Buffalo Bills: RB Devin Singletary

The ADP reflects the fact that he’s not being drafted too high. But even at RB41 (per Fantasy Pros), I’m not touching him. Zack Moss offers more upside, but the RB position in Buffalo has a low ceiling given Josh Allen’s red zone running. Pass.

2
Miami Dolphins: WR Will Fuller

I can’t buy in given the injury history and bigger crowd at the wide receiver position in Miami.

3
New England Patriots: The tight ends

Hunter Henry is good. Jonnu Smith is also good. But together? It feels like there’s a split coming. I’m avoiding that situation until there’s clarity, and there may not be this season.

4
New York Jets: WR Corey Davis

Last season was an awesome one for the wideout who was the No. 2 behind A.J. Brown in Tennessee. But now, he’s a Jet with a rookie QB and some uncertainty when it comes to who’s getting the most look in the WR corps (rookie Elijah Moore has buzz and Jamison Crowder is still there).

5
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

It feels like he’s third on the depth chart at WR behind Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Couple that with questions about Ben Roethlisberger and touchdown regression (he had nine last year) and I’m avoiding him.

6
Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow

The comeback from the torn ACL coupled with talk of some offensive struggles in camp has me spooked. Even with an incredibly stacked wide receiver corps, quarterback is deep enough for me to pass (this year).

7
Baltimore Ravens: WR Marquise Brown

We’ve been down this road with Hollywood before: on a run-first, second and sometimes third team that now has a new rookie wideout in Rashod Bateman and a top tight end in Mark Andrews, it’s hard to buy in on him breaking out as a true week-to-week fantasy stud.

8
Tennessee Titans: RB Derrick Henry

George Walker IV-USA TODAY NETWORK

That’s right, I’m going back in on him busting YET AGAIN.

I just don’t see how he repeats with another 2,000-yard season, especially with back-to-back seasons of 300-plus touches. The touchdowns (at least 12 in each of his past three seasons) might be there, but I keep betting on some missed games due to workload. Entering Year 6, I think it happens. That and a lack of involvement in the passing game has me nervous, especially as a top-three pick.

9
Indianapolis Colts: RB Jonathan Taylor

He’s going to be good. But seventh overall good? Some issues: Guard Quenton Nelson is going to miss time after foot surgery. So will QB Carson Wentz, which will affect the run game. Nyheim Hines will siphon away looks on passing downs and Marlon Mack is still going to get carries. Temper your expectations.

10
Jacksonville Jaguars: RB James Robinson

From undrafted free agent to superstar rookie! The most amazing dynasty league situation you could ask for! And then the franchise goes and drafts … Travis Etienne. And what about vet Carlos Hyde?

Yeah, I’m nervous too.

11
Houston Texans: Pretty much everyone

I honestly don’t know what to say here. David Johnson was just OK last season. Brandin Cooks was a surprise. I guess Phillip Lindsay could have some good games? Whatever. I’m not drafting any Texan this year.

12
Denver Broncos: RB Melvin Gordon

I don’t like drafting seasoned vets at RB who are joined by a rookie runner like Javonte Williams, even if you’re a running back like Gordon who nearly amassed 1,000 yards on the ground and scored 10 times while also compiling a 4.6 ypc.

13
Kansas City Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes

My annual reminder that drafting QBs too high is a bad idea. Don’t do it.

14
Las Vegas Raiders: RB Josh Jacobs

(AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)

Kenyan Drake is now a Raider. That’s a problem. So is the lack of involvement in the passing game.

15
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Mike Williams

I see him drafted every season. And every season he doesn’t quite live up to the hype, even though — funny enough — this might be the year we get to see a breakout now that Henry’s no longer a Charger. Even at a decent ADP, I’m not buying.

16
New York Giants: WR Kenny Golladay

I was already bearish on the former Lion with the Giants’ plethora of receiving options — Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Evan Engram, Saquon Barkley out of the backfield, first-round pick Kadarius Toney. But the leg injury in camp isn’t helping at all.

17
Philadelphia Eagles: RB Miles Sanders

There are so many warning signs, mostly having to do with the Eagles’ refusal to give him a full workload, along with this:

18
Washington Football Team: WR Curtis Samuel

Samuel is one of those players who might be better in real life than in fantasy. The 77 catches last season was nice … but it’s mostly short-yardage stuff. Now that he’s in Washington, he’s got a more complicated situation with Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas and a backfield full of pass-catchers as teammates.

19
Dallas Cowboys: WR Amari Cooper

It’s hard to pick a bust in this offense now that Dak Prescott’s back. So I’ll say Cooper is good but doesn’t live up to his ADP with CeeDee Lamb becoming the WR1 in Dallas. I’d still draft Cooper, but the price might not be right.

20
Detroit Lions: RB D'Andre Swift

A bad Lions team + Jamaal Williams around = bad news for RB who flashed some serious upside in his rookie year.

21
Green Bay Packers: TE Robert Tonyan

Remember I mentioned touchdown regression? Here’s this year’s candidate for a serious drop after he caught 11 TDs on just 52 receptions. It’s not happening again.

22
Minnesota Vikings: WR Adam Thielen

Another dude who could see a reduction in the number of touchdowns he caught after snagging 14 scores last season. If the yardage isn’t completely there with Justin Jefferson as the lead receiver, there’s bust potential here.

23
Atlanta Falcons: QB Matt Ryan

(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

No Julio Jones? That’s a problem. And with so many other QBs who have better receiver groups and who do more with their legs, I’m not investing in the vet.

24
New Orleans Saints: WR Michael Thomas

The comeback from ankle surgery is one thing. The seemingly fractured relationship with the team is another.

25
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The RBs

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

I’m just not sure if Leonard Fournette will be the top RB in Tampa or if Ronald Jones will still be a thing. I’m probably not taking chances on either.

26
Carolina Panthers: WR Robby Anderson

The buzz over rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. is there and Christian McCaffrey is back to get a bunch of targets out of the backfield. So I’ll search for more upside elsewhere.

27
Los Angeles Rams: Defense

This is your reminder that defenses fluctuate year to year and that drafting one high up is a bad idea.

28
Arizona Cardinals: RB Chase Edmonds

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Are we so sure he’s the RB1 in Arizona? And that James Conner isn’t going to be a problem?

29
San Francisco 49ers: RB Raheem Mostert

I worry about the injuries and the long list of running backs that includes Trey Sermon. Even in a run-heavy offense!

30
Seattle Seahawks: WR Tyler Lockett

So here’s the thing: Lockett is awesome. But not on a week-to-week basis. Sometimes he explodes like he did against the Cardinals last year (200 yards and three scores with 15 catches). Other times, he’s held to low yardage. It’s just not great for fantasy even though he totaled 100 catches last season. That and the fact that D.K. Metcalf is the guy to draft in Seattle is a reason I’m passing.

31
Cleveland Browns: WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Unfortunately, he may not be the explosive receiver he once was and the Browns like to run the ball a lot.

32
Chicago Bears: RB David Montgomery

He was so good last year, right? Except the production at the end of the year came against some horrendous defenses.

See live draft results and grades at the 2024 USA TODAY NFL Draft Hub.

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