Fantasy: Bust candidates to avoid in your draft (Updated)
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2017 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
In an effort to save you from the frustration that comes with a disappointing fantasy pick, here are this year's top bust candidates.
Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of FantasyPros and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
Prescott's rookie season was impressive, but his numbers were aided by the NFL's best rushing attack, an easy schedule, and defensive coordinators seeing him for the first time. The sophomore slump is a very real phenomenon for rookie quarterbacks who take the league by storm; just ask Robert Griffin III.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠
ADP: 8th round (QB11)
Jordan Howard, RB, Bears
There's a lot to like about Howard, who finished as the NFL's second-leading rusher as a rookie despite playing on a mediocre offense and not starting until Week 4. There are also reasons to be very wary of him. Howard is a momentum runner who lacks a standout trait and isn't particularly adept as a receiver. The Bears' passing offense could be extremely limited, meaning defenses will focus all their attention on stopping Howard. Based on historical trends, we know at least one running back selected early in the draft will bust. Howard reeks of it.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠☠
ADP: 2nd round (RB8)
Lamar Miller, RB, Texans
At what point do fantasy analysts get to stop writing about whether Miller can hold up to a featured workload? The tailback handled more work than ever before in 2016, but wore down and missed two games to end the season. The Texans later admitted they asked too much of him. Miller probably won't be asked to handle nearly 300 touches again with third-round rookie D'Onta Foreman, now in the picture. It's not out of the question the Texans will decide Miller is best used as a change of pace, with Foreman handling work on early downs and at the goal line.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠☠☠
ADP: 3rd round (RB13)
C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos
Anderson only saw the field in seven contests last year before a torn meniscus brought an early end to his season. During that time, he continued to lack consistency as a fantasy option. While the Broncos' offensive line should be improved in 2017, the coaching staff has talked up a committee approach in the backfield. That could be due to the arrival of veteran Jamaal Charles, or the hope that second-year back Devontae Booker performs better in their new power run scheme, or perhaps Anderson's fluctuating weight (here he is with Joe Mixon and Marshawn Lynch in the offseason) is giving the team pause about restoring him as the unquestioned starter. With the doubts mounting, Anderson should be approached with extreme caution on draft day.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠☠☠
ADP: 4th round (RB19)
Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
Two years ago, Allen produced elite numbers over eight games before a lacerated kidney robbed him of a career year. Last season was even more disheartening for the Chargers star: He tore his ACL in Week 1. The 25-year-old is on track to be ready for the season, but he returns to a crowded receiving corps. Allen will now compete for targets with Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin, Hunter Henry, Antonio Gates, and, if he's able to contribute this year, first-rounder Mike Williams. When healthy, Allen is still capable of posting WR2 numbers, but expect a drop in production since he's no longer the lone talent in Philip Rivers' arsenal.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠
ADP: 4th round (WR19)
Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
Do you really want to invest an early-round fantasy pick on a gadget player who was on the field for only 416 offensive snaps (less than half of Travis Kelce's snap count) and topped 40 plays in a game just once? Hill is dynamic with the ball in his hands, but he scored nine touchdowns on just 85 offensive touches as a rookie. That's not even close to sustainable.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠☠☠
ADP: 4th round (WR22)
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers
Benjamin appears to be back in shape after showing up to the offseason program overweight, but he faces a similar dilemma as Allen. The Panthers added a variety of pass-catchers in the offseason who could siphon away targets, most notably rookie back Christian McCaffrey. Devin Funchess is also impressing in camp and plays a similar style to Benjamin. Up to this point, Benjamin has delivered for fantasy owners when's he's on the field, averaging 974.5 yards and eight touchdowns per season. However, the young wideout has work to do if he wants to be in a position to reach those levels again this year.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠☠☠
ADP: 6th round (WR30)
Delanie Walker, TE, Titans
Walker led the Titans in receiving in 2014 and 2015, but was eclipsed by Rishard Matthews as the team's top pass-catching option last year. It could be a sign of things to come for the veteran tight end, who will be 33 when the season starts. Tennessee selected Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick, signed Eric Decker, and Matthews is still around, while their running game remains as dominant as ever with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry toting the rock. Even the Titans' decision to draft tight end Jonnu Smith in the third round is preparation for an inevitable decline from Walker.
Bust Potential: ☠☠☠☠
ADP: 7th round (TE7)
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