X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

10 Fantasy Football Lineup Busts for Week 16

Pierre Camus' top 10 potential lineup busts for Week 16 of the 2016 fantasy football season. Players to avoid in your lineups as underperformers and disappointments.

You've read about all the sleepers, waiver wire pickups and starter suggestions based on matchups. Now let me burst some bubbles and tell you who I think is going to bust big time in Week 16.

This isn't to troll or spread hate - that's what those political sites are for. Think of this as a public service for fanboys and truth deniers who insist that everything is going to be alright, when it's clearly not. If you don't believe me, just ask the general public on Twitter. They know everything.

Warning: while the picks made in this article are completely serious, you may find sarcastic humor laced throughout. If you don't have any sense of humor whatsoever, turn back now before you get all worked up. Comments, praise, complaints or ramblings can be directed to @pfunk00 on Twitter.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive BOTH our full season NFL and NBA Premium Passes for free, a $119.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium Passes.

 

Week 15 Recap

First, the bad news (for my picks): Ryan Mathews suddenly had his best game of the season, Jeremy Hill scored after about 30 tries inside the one-yard line, and Tate was Golden once again. I'm not counting the DeAndre Hopkins awakening as a miss, because Brock Osweiler being benched was simply too good to believe it could happen.

The good news... well, Allen Robinson is still a bust! That sounds pretty Grinch-like, but we're in the business of predicting busts here. Let's take a look at last week's production and/or lack thereof with an all-too predictable Christmas theme.

4186697382_e5c95a0e12_z
Andrew Luck (250 YDS, 2 TD)
Ryan Mathews (128 YDS, 1 TD)
Jeremy Hill (43 YDS, 1 TD)
DeAndre Hopkins (8 REC, 87 YDS)
Golden Tate (8 REC, 122 YDS)
Michael Thomas (7 REC, 52 YDS, 1 TD)

 

 

rs_500x300-141217151556-GrumpyGrinch.1214
Spencer Ware (70 YDS, 0 TD)
Tyler Boyd (2 REC, 13 YDS)
Allen Robinson (2 REC, 15 YDS)
Martellus Bennett (2 REC, 35 YDS)

 

 

Overall, not my best week for predictions, but we roll on to Week 16. For some of you this is Championship Week. For many others, it's "please dear God don't let me finish in last place and have to wear a face tattoo of my least favorite team's mascot to work on Monday." Either way, choose wisely and give it the old college try.

Top 10 Busts for Week 16

Derek Carr (QB, OAK) - It's becoming painfully obvious that the dislocated pinky finger is bothering Carr. He may be a Pro Bowl QB and possibly even an MVP candidate, but he may not help you win a fantasy championship. He's thrown for a total of 590 yards and three TD the last three weeks, which works out to an average of 196 yards and one touchdown. Those aren't the type of numbers that will get it done for fantasy owners. The Colts present a favorable matchup, but it's just not clear that Carr can repeat his early season success. Plus, there may be other injuries that we aren't even aware of.

carrtweet

 
 
Russell Wilson (QB, SEA) - Both Wilson and the defense he faces have been a bit schizophrenic lately. A week after throwing five interceptions at Green Bay, he put up three touchdowns versus the Rams. The Cardinals are statistically one of the best against QBs, but were lit up by Drew Brees for 389 yards and four TD last week. Rolling out Wilson as your starting QB is a huge gamble this week, especially if you remember the touchdown-less 6-6 debacle in Week 7. He hasn't nearly lived up to his ADP this season, but at least he's not alone.

wilsontweet

 
 
A.J. Green (WR, CIN) - Green returns from a four-week layoff and a torn hamstring to help the Bengals finish up the season. The problem is that the Bengals are out of the playoff race and have no reason to push Green beyond his physical limits. It's hard to imagine he will see double-digit targets right away. He doesn't have an easy matchup either, going up against a Texans secondary that has held its own all season. You may be relieved to see him return, but he makes for a risky start this week. Assuming it still makes a difference...

greentweet

 
 
John Brown (WR, ARI) - Between Weeks 10-14, Brown had a five game span with a grand total of three catches and 49 yards. Then, he suddenly broke out with 81 yards and a TD against New Orleans. It was his second TD and his second-highest receiving output of the season. Even if you are tempted to take a chance on him as a WR3 streamer, keep in mind he will be facing Richard Sherman for much of the day. Things are certainly looking grim for the Cardinals receivers, not just this week.

browntweet

 
 
Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ) - Back to Earth, Robby Anderson. As soon as Bryce Petty took over at QB, Anderson suddenly became the Jets' best receiver. He's gone for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games. There is one problem he will face this week, however: the New England Patriots. The Pats know how to take away a team's best option and apparently that option has become Anderson. You probably shouldn't take a chance on him unless you have no better options or are a really big believer in the new Petty/Anderson connection.

andersontweet

 
 
Davante Adams (WR, GB) - You probably haven't forgiven Adams if you played him last week and watched as he dropped two sure touchdowns in the end zone. If you survived to fight again this week in the playoffs, you might be tempted to give him another chance. Consider that he will be facing ageless wonder Terence Newman, who has allowed the fewest PPR per snap among all CBs. Then again, the Vikings were embarrassed last week on defense. Plus, Adams has come up big every other week, so maybe he is due for a big game. He is a boom-bust play for sure, but it doesn't seem Packers fans are too concerned.

vikestweet

 
 
Tavon Austin (WR, LA) - Austin appears every once in a while to make sure we remember how fast he is before promptly disappearing for three more weeks. He is big-play dependent, with those coming few and far in between this season. Against the Niners in Week 1, Austin was targeted a whopping 12 times and somehow came away with just four catches for 13 yards. The Rams may be going with Sean Mannion at QB this week, which doesn't bode well for any Rams receiver other than Kenny Britt, regardless of the juicy matchup.

ramstweet

 
 
Jeremy Maclin (WR, KC) - It had been a while since Maclin made an impact in a game, but he did so with six receptions for 82 yards against the Titans. This time Maclin will face the stingiest secondary in the league to opposing wide receivers. Many a star wideout has been shutout by Denver this season; Maclin doesn't have enough appeal to even be considered as a flex play this week. As they say: Mo Maclin, Mo Problems.

maclintweet

 
 
Steve Smith (WR, BAL) - Smith found his way onto the scoreboard last week in Philly, but now faces one of the hottest defenses in the league. No team has passed for as much as 220 yards in the last five games against the Steelers. Smith will face a combination of William Gay and Ross Cockrell for most of the day, making it hard to trust him even as a WR3. If anything, we should root for Smith to struggle so he can bless us with more entertaining post-game quotes.

smithtweet

 
 
Coby Fleener (TE, NO) - The loss of Josh Hill for the season didn't help Fleener's stock, it somehow did the opposite. Fleener has a total of three receptions and 16 yards the last two games, with three targets in each. He hasn't scored since Week 11 either, making him downright droppable (if you hadn't already). It's been a good year for many, but not Fleener.

fleenertweet




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Matthew Golden

Officially Out Against Eagles
TreVeyon Henderson

on Week 11 Injury Report With Knee Injury
Matthew Golden

Not Expected to Play on Monday Night
Casey Mittelstadt

Out Week-to-Week
Garrett Wilson

Expected to Miss 3-4 Weeks With Knee Sprain
Jason Zucker

Dealing With Severe Viral Issue
Jiri Kulich

to "Miss Significant Time" Due to Blood Clot
Zack MacEwen

to Re-Enter Devils Lineup Monday
William Karlsson

Out on Monday
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

to Miss at Least One Week
Vincent Trocheck

Available Monday
Isiah Pacheco

May Not be Ready to Return in Week 11
Dalton Kincaid

Labeled Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
Oronde Gadsden

Diagnosed With Bruised Quad, Considered "Day-to-Day"
Rashod Bateman

Dealing With a Sprained Ankle
Jayden Daniels

Won't Travel to Madrid in Week 11
Terry McLaurin

Won't Play in Week 11
Miles Bridges

Probable Monday vs. Lakers
Austin Reaves

Upgraded Ahead of Monday's Matchup
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful to Play in Week 11
Taylor Hendricks

Questionable for Matchup with Timberwolves
Luke Kornet

Questionable for Matchup With Bulls
Jalen Suggs

to Rest Monday Vs. Portland
Taurean Prince

Out With Herniated Disc in his Neck
Joe Burrow

Returning to Practice This Week
New York Giants

Giants Fire Head Coach Brian Daboll
Chris Godwin

No Timetable for Chris Godwin's Return
Bucky Irving

Could Miss Week 11
C.J. Stroud

Remains in the Concussion Protocol
CFB

Nic Anderson Could Return for LSU this Season
Dante Exum

Remains Out vs. Bucks
Patrick Williams

Probable Monday vs. Spurs
Day'Ron Sharpe

Exits With Hamstring Tightness vs. Knicks
Daron Payne

Suspended One Game For Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Stephen Curry

Expected to Return Tuesday vs. Thunder
T.J. McConnell

Ramping Up, Nearing Season Debut
Lukas Dostal

Pushes Winning Streak to Career-Best Six Games
Matt Boldy

Has Two-Point Night Sunday
Jesper Wallstedt

Controls Flames
Nikolaj Ehlers

Registers Two Assists Sunday
Connor Bedard

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Nathan MacKinnon

Totals Five Points in Overtime Win
Charles-Alexis Legault

Suffers Hand Injury Sunday
Parker Washington

Scores Two Touchdowns in Week 10 Loss
Ladd McConkey

Leads Chargers With 107 Yards, Touchdown in Week 10 Win
Oronde Gadsden

Questionable to Return on Sunday Night With Knee Injury
Tez Johnson

Continues Rookie Ascent, Scores Two Touchdowns in Week 10 Loss
Luke Kennard

Ending Two-Game Absence Monday
Larry Nance Jr.

Questionable for Meeting With Heat
Dereck Lively II

Likely to Remain on Shelf Monday
Daniel Gafford

Listed as Questionable for Monday
Emmanuel Clase

Indicted on Gambling Charges, Facing 65 Years in Prison
Yves Missi

in Danger of Missing Fourth Consecutive Game
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Iffy for Monday
Kristaps Porzingis

Returns to Action Monday
Randy Brown

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Jalen Johnson

Could Remain Out Monday
Kawhi Leonard

to Miss "Next Few Games"
Gabriel Bonfim

Extends His Win Streak
Bradley Beal

Questionable to Suit Up Monday
Joseph Morales

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Matt Schnell

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Muslim Salikhov

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Uros Medic

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ismael Bonfim

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Chris Padilla

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Kasperi Kapanen

Targeting December Return
Mattias Janmark

Likely to Make Season Debut Monday
Zach Hyman

to Remain Out Monday
Ryan Strome

Available Sunday
Cole Perfetti

in Line for Season Debut Sunday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

to Miss 3-4 Months
Marco Tulio

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Christian Leroy Duncan

Scores Second-Round Knockout Victory
Scott Laughton

to Miss Sunday's Action
Aaron Judge

Headlines AL Silver Slugger Award Winners
Shohei Ohtani

Headlines List of NL Silver Slugger Winners
MLB

Munetaka Murakami Officially Being Posted on Friday
Randy Brown

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Main Event
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Joseph Morales

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 111
Matt Schnell

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Co-Main Event
Uros Medic

Aims To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Muslim Salikhov

Looks For His Fourth Consecutive Win
Chris Padilla

Looks To Remain Unbeaten In The UFC
Ismael Bonfim

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marco Tulio

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Christian Leroy Duncan

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 111 Main Card
Kyle Tucker

Headlines List of 13 Players to Receive Qualifying Offers
Pete Fairbanks

Becomes a Free Agent
CFB

Luke Fickell Will Return as Wisconsin's Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Blue Jays Extend Qualifying Offer to Bo Bichette
Craig Stammen

Named Padres New Manager
Jorge Polanco

Declines his 2026 Option to Become a Free Agent
Chris Sale

Braves Picking Up Chris Sale's 2026 Option
Michael Thorbjornsen

Poised to Continue Hot Play in Mexico
Davis Riley

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of World Wide Technology Championship
Taylor Montgomery

Leaning on Putter at World Wide Technology Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Offers Strong Value at World Wide Technology Championship
Ben Griffin

Looks to Stay Hot at El Cardonal
Nick Dunlap

Looking to Find His Game at El Cardonal
Wyndham Clark

Searching for Consistency at El Cardonal
Michael Brennan

Aims to Extend Fairytale Start at El Cardonal
Shane Bieber

Staying in Toronto for 2026
Salvador Perez

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Royals

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP