Fantasy Bust Calls

Christian McCaffrey to fall short of his draft cost (in the first round)

McCaffrey is a ticklish boom-bust pick in the first round, part of a talented but aging San Francisco offense.

Christian McCaffreySan Francisco 49ers

Jadarian Price to fall short of his draft cost (a mid-60s pick)

So long as Yahoo drafters consider Price a mid-60s pick, I'll be sitting this one out.

Jadarian PriceSeattle Seahawks

De'Von Achane to fall short of his draft cost (RB5 and first-round ADP)

Yet, I am out on him at his RB5 and first-round ADP... I won't draft him in the first round and would like to avoid picking him altogether.

De'Von AchaneMiami Dolphins

Jaxson Dart to fall short of his draft cost (currently the QB11)

Jaxson Dart, who showed flashes last season before being injured, is currently the QB11. I understand that sort of ranking in keeper/dynasty formats, but in a redraft league? Give me Old Man Winter under center

Jaxson Dart

Jeremiyah Love to fall short of his draft cost ($45)

Jeremiyah Love, despite never taking a snap in the NFL before, is valued at $45. Ashton Jeanty is $42. Chase Brown is $34. Saquon Barkley is $36. I’d rather save a few dollars and roll with one of them instead.

Jeremiyah Love

Chuba Hubbard to fall short of his draft cost (79.4)

I'll be avoiding Hubbard in drafts this year.

Chuba HubbardCarolina Panthers

Jeremiyah Love to fall short of his draft cost (ESPN ADP: 19.5)

Jeremiyah Love (RB – ARI) | ESPN ADP: 19.5/ECR: 39 ... Jeremiyah Love has claimed the crown as the single most overvalued player (non-kicker division) ... At the end of the day, this price is too much to pay for Love.

Jeremiyah LoveArizona Cardinals

Travis Hunter to fall short of his draft cost (ESPN ADP: 116.7)

Travis Hunter (WR – JAX) | ESPN ADP: 116.7/ECR: 166 ... I recommend avoiding Hunter unless he falls significantly past this ADP.

Travis HunterJacksonville Jaguars

Brandon Aubrey to fall short of his draft cost (ESPN ADP: 84.7)

Brandon Aubrey (K – DAL) | ESPN ADP: 84.7/ECR: 184 ... drafting Aubrey anywhere near his ADP is lighting a pick on fire in terms of opportunity cost.

Brandon AubreyDallas Cowboys

Khalil Shakir to fall short of his draft cost (Overall RK129 | ECR vs. ADP: +24)

fantasy managers should view him more as a floor-based depth option than a breakout candidate

Khalil ShakirBuffalo Bills

Terry McLaurin to fall short of his draft cost (around the likes of Luther Burden)

McLaurin was already being drafted around the likes of Luther Burden, but it’s tough to take him there with Diggs in town.

Terry McLaurinWashington Commanders

Quinshon Judkins to fall short of his draft cost (RB21, Overall RK55 | ECR vs. ADP: -9)

Judkins screams to me as a volume-driven fantasy football RB2. To me, that profiles as replaceable production that isn't necessarily built to last.

Quinshon JudkinsCleveland Browns

Dalton Kincaid to fall short of his draft cost (TE11, Overall RK114 | ECR vs. ADP: -14)

if he plays limited snaps again this season and his efficiency numbers regress to career norms, Kincaid could disappoint. It's best to regard him as a high-end TE2 for fantasy drafts.

Dalton KincaidBuffalo Bills

Jake Ferguson to fall short of his draft cost (TE12, Overall RK117 | ECR vs. ADP: -8)

Ferguson's 2026 production could be limited as long as Lamb and Pickens are both healthy, so it's best to consider Ferguson a high-end TE2 in this year's drafts.

Jake FergusonDallas Cowboys

Josh Jacobs to fall short of his draft cost (RB15, Overall RK36 | ECR vs. ADP: -8)

But as the 28-year-old continues to pile up volume and small injuries, fantasy managers should be wary of the production tapering off.

Josh JacobsGreen Bay Packers

TreVeyon Henderson to fall short of his draft cost (RB24, Overall RK61 | ECR vs. ADP: -12)

Henderson could eat into Stevenson's workload more in 2026 if he can take another step and payoff as an RB2, but he 's best viewed as an upside RB3.

TreVeyon HendersonNew England Patriots

Jeremiyah Love to fall short of his draft cost (RB14, Overall RK34 | ECR vs. ADP: -8)

The cluttered backfield and worrisome scoring environment could hinder Love in 2026, keeping him as a strong RB2, but locking him out of RB1 status.

Jeremiyah LoveArizona Cardinals

Bucky Irving to fall short of his draft cost (RB22, Overall RK57 | ECR vs. ADP: -13)

Irving could be a nice bounce-back candidate in 2026 or a massive disappointment that loses work to Gainwell and Tucker all year. I'll buy the dip if he slips in some drafts, but I won't go out of my way to draft him this season.

Bucky IrvingTampa Bay Buccaneers

RJ Harvey to fall short of his draft cost (RB33, Overall RK91 | ECR vs. ADP: -15)

Harvey is a decent selection in fantasy drafts this season, but in 2026, I won't go out of my way to get him on all my teams like last year.

RJ HarveyDenver Broncos

Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE20, Overall RK150 | ECR vs. ADP: -20)

I'll be avoiding Oronde Gadsden in drafts this season... Gadsden looks like he's locked in a tight end committee for 2026, which is something I don't have any interest in dealing with for fantasy purposes.

Oronde Gadsden IILos Angeles Chargers

Jonathan Taylor to fall short of his draft cost (the third overall pick)

Another tough fade for this selection is Jonathan Taylor... do you deserve to be drafted with the third overall pick when your quarterback is coming off said achilles injury... Despite the new contract, this is too rich for Taylor.

Jonathan TaylorIndianapolis Colts

CeeDee Lamb to fall short of his draft cost (1.04)

Players to Avoid at 1.04 Fantasy Football Draft Pick ... CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL) ... Pickens has slightly capped Lamb’s upside.

CeeDee LambDallas Cowboys

Oronde Gadsden II to fall short of his draft cost (TE16 to TE19)

I was drafting Gadsden earlier in the offseason, but I’m totally out now.

Oronde Gadsden IIMiami Dolphins

Chuba Hubbard to fall short of his draft cost (RB28 to RB32)

I like betting on his upside rather than settling for a plodder like Hubbard.

Chuba HubbardCarolina Panthers

Brock Purdy to fall short of his draft cost (FantasyPros Ranking: QB11)

Brock Purdy (QB – SF) FantasyPros Ranking: QB11 ... All that to say that Purdy would need a lot of things to go right, including everyone staying healthy, to get close to a QB11 fantasy finish.

Brock PurdySan Francisco 49ers