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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.

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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)

 

 

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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




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kyren Williams

Limited Again with Ankle Injury
Davante Adams

Limited in Practice on Thursday
Cody Bellinger

Yankees Pushing Hard to Re-Sign Cody Bellinger
CFB

Penn State Eyeing Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell For Coaching Vacancy
Alex Bregman

Cubs Have Renewed Interest in Alex Bregman
Quinten Post

Set to Suit Up Versus Philadelphia
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Will Play on Thursday Night
Joel Embiid

Back on Thursday Night
Al Horford

Available on Thursday
Jonathan Kuminga

Cleared for Action on Thursday Night
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Out of Action Thursday
Terance Mann

Available Versus Utah
Kirill Marchenko

Returns From Four-Game Absence
De'Anthony Melton

to be Capped at 20 Minutes on Thursday
Carter Verhaeghe

Ready to Return Thursday
Scott Wedgewood

Skips Thursday's Game
Paolo Banchero

Upgraded to Questionable for Friday Night
Danila Yurov

Misses Second Straight Game
CFB

Billy Napier Finalizing Deal to Become James Madison's New Head Coach
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Unavailable Thursday
CFB

Buster Faulkner Set to Become Florida's New Offensive Coordinator
Dereck Lively II

to Seek "Multiple Opinions" on Right Foot Treatment
David Pastrnak

Still Out Thursday
Ryan McDonagh

Lightning Sign Ryan McDonagh to Three-Year Extension
Trayce Jackson-Davis

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Ja Morant

Considered Day-to-Day
Tee Higgins

Ready to Return After Full Practice?
Jimmy Butler III

Sidelined Thursday
Jayden Daniels

Practices in Full on Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Ruled Out Thursday Against the Wizards
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Play Against Steelers
Quentin Grimes

Is Ready to Return on Thursday
Deshaun Watson

Not Expected to Play This Year
Paul George

Will Not Play Against the Warriors
Joel Embiid

Upgraded to Questionable for Thursday
CFB

Joe Sloan Expected to be Kentucky's New Offensive Coordinator
Justin Herbert

Chargers "Really Optimistic" That Justin Herbert Will Play on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Will Not Play Thursday
CFB

Lane Kiffin Working to Keep Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker at LSU
Noa Essengue

Out for the Season
Mike Evans

has "Real Chance" to Return in Week 14
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Expected To Miss 2-4 Weeks
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Realistic Expectation is for Amon-Ra St. Brown to Return Next Week
Jalen Carter

Won't Play in Week 14 After Having Shoulder Surgeries
Justin Herbert

Expected to Practice Either Thursday or Friday
Mike Evans

Practicing Again Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable With Rib Contusion
Marcus Smart

Sidelined Thursday Against Raptors
CFB

Brian Daboll a Candidate for Penn State Head-Coaching Job?
Karel Vejmelka

Records Impressive Shutout
JJ Peterka

Rocks Ducks With Four-Point Effort
Cole Caufield

Extends Point Streak With Power-Play Assist
Matvei Michkov

Delivers Two Assists Wednesday
Jake Oettinger

Grabs Fourth Consecutive Victory With Shutout
Ryan Leonard

Tallies Four Points in Wednesday's Win
Cam York

Exits Win Early
Kyren Williams

Expected to Play in Week 14
Davante Adams

Expected to Play Despite Missing Wednesday's Practice
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Woody Marks

Texans Say Woody Marks Will be Fine
Rasmus Ristolainen

to Miss at Least One More Week
Drew Doughty

Logs Full Practice Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Jeff Skinner

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Petr Mrazek

Out 2-3 Weeks
Tyler Seguin

Likely Done for the Season
Neal Pionk

Returns to Jets Lineup
J.J. McCarthy

Practices in Full, on Track to Return in Week 14
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Mark Andrews

Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Ravens
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night
Omarion Hampton

"on Track and Looking Good" for Week 14
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
Joey Bosa

Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
Alexander Wennberg

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

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