Biggest Fantasy Football Busts of the Week - Fantasy Outlooks for Joe Burrow, Quinshon Judkins, Justin Jefferson, Jake Ferguson

December 15, 2025

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 15 of the 2025 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and if they'll bounce back.

The fantasy football playoffs got underway in most leagues this week. Ideally, the strongest teams will win their matchups and move on. However, fantasy football performances can fluctuate every week, and the "best" team on paper doesn't always win. Often, this is a result of big-name players underperforming.

A common trend in Week 15 was that many NFL players drastically underperformed. These "busts" failed to meet their fantasy expectations. Not only did it put their managers at a disadvantage, but it also cost some managers their shot at advancing to the next round of the playoffs altogether.

Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 15, as well as whether or not we can still have some trust in these players moving forward. All point totals are based on the PPR scoring system. Players who missed part of the game due to injury are exempt from being featured.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts

Shedeur Sanders, 6.5 FPTS

It was an ugly Sunday for Sanders, who couldn't replicate his monster game from Week 14. He completed just 51% of his passes for 177 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 24 yards. The rookie previously benefited from playing teams like the Raiders and Titans, so the Bears represented a much tougher test. He's not a reliable fantasy starter in single-quarterback leagues during the playoffs.

Joe Burrow, 7.5 FPTS

Burrow had a rough showing on Sunday as he completed 25 of his 39 pass attempts for 225 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. The yardage total was fine for a quarterback without Tee Higgins (concussion), but his touchdown and turnover totals are concerning. He'll look to bounce back against an underrated Dolphins secondary in Miami next weekend.

Never seen a hand-off on a pick-6 this smooth

BALvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/DfxhsQXjAV

— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

Zach Charbonnet, 3.1 FPTS

Charbonnet had eight carries for 31 rushing yards on Sunday. He led the team in rushing despite averaging fewer than four yards per carry. The 24-year-old is the overall RB31 in scoring this year, but he has been held to single-digit fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He's not worth starting ahead of Week 16 against a terrific Rams run defense.

Breece Hall, 5.7 FPTS

The Jaguars shut down Hall on Sunday, as he rushed for just 23 yards on 12 carries and caught two passes. The 24-year-old was out-produced by Isaiah Davis and has just 10.0 fantasy points over his last two weeks combined. It's going to be tough for the Jets to move the football if Brady Cook remains under center, but a Week 16 matchup against the Saints is favorable enough to leave Hall in the low-end RB2 tier.

Kareem Hunt, 3.0 FPTS

Hunt's workload has been declining with Isiah Pacheco back in the mix. The veteran had just 12 rushing yards on six carries Sunday, and he added an eight-yard reception. With the Chiefs eliminated from playoff contention and Patrick Mahomes (knee) done for the year, it'll be impossible to fully trust anyone in this offense going forward. However, a matchup against the Titans should keep Hunt in low-end RB3/flex consideration for Week 16.

The Chiefs season is over in mid December. Almost unfathamable

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) December 14, 2025

Quinshon Judkins, 4.7 FPTS

The Browns scored just three points on Sunday, and as a result, Judkins struggled to produce. He was held to 21 rushing yards on 12 carries, and he also converted his three catches into a loss of three receiving yards. The rookie has taken a step back since the Browns named Sanders their quarterback, but he should bounce back as an RB2 against the Bills' poor run defense in Week 16.

Kenneth Walker III, 2.9 FPTS

Walker had another ugly game Sunday, rushing for 17 yards on nine carries. He also caught a two-yard pass. Walker ranks as the overall RB25 in fantasy scoring this year, but he has struggled to produce consistently, especially in his split role alongside Charbonnet. The 25-year-old has posted fewer than 4.0 fantasy points in each of his last two games. He'll drop to the RB3/flex tier for Week 16 against a very strong Rams run defense.

Kyle Monangai, 3.3 FPTS

D'Andre Swift led the Bears' backfield with 18 carries, 98 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. Monangai had a much more difficult experience, rushing for 33 yards on just 11 carries. The rookie remains the backup to Swift, but he should bounce back as a high-volume RB3/flex with touchdown upside against the Packers next week.

Devin Singletary, 2.4 FPTS

Singletary entered this week with double-digit points in three of his last four games. He had also gone for over 100 yards and a touchdown in his most recent contest against the Patriots. This week, though, he had five carries for 13 rushing yards, as well as a one-yard reception. Tyrone Tracy Jr. has established himself as the Giants' lead back, leaving Singletary off the fantasy radar in most leagues.

#Giants Week 15 RB Usage

- Tyrone Tracy Jr: 76% snaps, 15 carries, 27 routes, 3 targets (97 yds, 2 TDs)
- Devin Singletary: 24% snaps, 5 carries, 7 routes, 1 target (14 yds)

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) December 14, 2025

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

Jayden Higgins, 1.4 FPTS

Higgins had just one catch for four yards, tying his worst fantasy performance since Week 7. The rookie had been a solid WR3/flex lately, but he delivered an untimely dud right as the fantasy playoffs got underway in Week 15. He'll be tough to trust as a fantasy starter despite an intriguing matchup against the Raiders next week.

Michael Pittman Jr., 5.6 FPTS

Pittman hauled in three of his five targets from Philip Rivers for a total of 26 yards. Pittman was the WR10 in scoring entering this week, but we can't expect him to maintain that ranking with Rivers throwing him passes. The 28-year-old will be a fringe top-24 fantasy receiver heading into Week 16 against San Francisco.

Ladd McConkey, 4.0 FPTS

McConkey wasn't able to replicate his Week 1 showing against the Chiefs, in which he had six catches, 74 yards, and 13.4 fantasy points. It has been a really bizarre season for McConkey, who was the WR13 in PPR leagues as a rookie last year but has fallen outside the top 24 fantasy receivers in 2025. Next week's potential shootout with Dallas could allow him to bounce back as a mid-to-high WR2.

George Pickens, 6.3 FPTS

Pickens caught three of his six targets for 33 yards on Sunday night. He remained in the No. 2 receiver role behind CeeDee Lamb in Week 15, amassing single-digit fantasy points for the second consecutive week. The 24-year-old still ranks as the overall WR4 in fantasy scoring despite back-to-back duds. We feel good about his chance of bouncing back against the Chargers.

Tetairoa McMillan, 4.5 FPTS

McMillan had his worst game as a pro, catching two of four targets for 25 yards. The rookie was shut down by the Saints' secondary, and he saw his three-game touchdown streak come to an end. Fantasy managers should still view McMillan as a strong WR2 heading into next week's pivotal divisional battle against the Buccaneers.

This was one of TMac’s just two catches today vs. the Saints

It wasn’t a timing route, the defense got to Bryce quickly, he improvised and found McMillan on the run

TMac has just five catches in his last three games

A pass-funnel Bucs in Week 16 is just what the doctor ordered https://t.co/ihHFZA57J3

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) December 15, 2025

Alec Pierce, 2.6 FPTS

Pierce hauled in his lone target from Rivers for a 16-yard reception. His flashy play style with targets deep downfield doesn't mesh very well with Rivers being the Colts' quarterback. Pierce had combined for more than 30 fantasy points over his prior two games, so at least there's upside here. However, as long as Rivers is under center, Pierce is nothing more than a low-end WR3/flex with risk.

Chimere Dike, 5.0 FPTS

Dike caught four of his five targets on Sunday, totaling 17 receiving yards. He also rushed for a loss of seven yards on the ground. Dike's 70% snap share in Week 15 was somewhat on par with his previous ratios. The 24-year-old is not a reliable fantasy starter as he prepares to take on a very strong Chiefs defense.

Stefon Diggs, 5.6 FPTS

Diggs got his revenge against the Bills earlier in the year, totaling 10 catches for 146 yards back in Week 5. However, facing the Bills this past Sunday, the veteran receiver was held to just three catches for 26 yards. Ironically, he has posted the same reception and yardage total in back-to-back weeks. He has fewer than six points in each of his last three games, dropping him to the low-end WR2 tier for Week 16 against Baltimore.

Justin Jefferson, 4.2 FPTS

Jefferson had another miserable outing, catching just two of his eight targets. The star receiver has yet to form any sort of consistent rapport with J.J. McCarthy, and there's no turnaround in sight. Benching Jefferson in fantasy football feels wrong, but it's a move that most managers will have to make for Week 16 in leagues with 10 or fewer teams.

Tre Tucker, 0.0 FPTS

Tucker had been underwhelming so far, but Week 15 was the first time he delivered a goose egg in 2025. The 24-year-old was held without a catch on three targets from Kenny Pickett, dropping him outside the top 36 receivers in terms of fantasy scoring this year. He's averaging just 3.8 fantasy points over his last four games. Managers should bench Tucker in all leagues.

After getting shut out today in Philadelphia, the Raiders open Week 16 with an implied total of just 11.5 points

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an implied total quite THAT low before

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) December 15, 2025

DeVonta Smith, 7.0 FPTS

Smith caught each of his two targets for a total of 50 yards on Sunday. The yardage total was impressive, and Smith's small target count makes a little more sense when you realize that Jalen Hurts only attempted 15 passes. Still, we'd like to see more from Smith going forward. He was the overall WR9 in 2022, but has dropped to the WR20 spot in fantasy scoring this year.

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

Mark Andrews, 3.8 FPTS

Most tight ends absolutely feast against the Bengals, but Andrews was only able to muster two catches and 18 receiving yards. He is averaging just 4.1 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, making him impossible to trust in fantasy lineups ahead of Week 16 against the Patriots.

Jake Ferguson, 3.6 FPTS

Ferguson caught two of his four targets for 16 yards in Week 15. He had his lowest target, catch, and yardage totals since Week 7. The 26-year-old has still been the fourth-highest-scoring tight end in PPR leagues this year. He remains a solid mid-range TE1 option for Week 16 against the Chargers.

Mike Gesicki, 2.1 FPTS

Gesicki wasn't able to replicate last week's big game in which he caught six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. This time around, he caught just one of two targets for 11 receiving yards. It appears that Week 14 was a fluke, and Gesicki should not be viewed as a reliable fantasy option going forward.

Hunter Henry, 2.8 FPTS

Henry was shut down by the Bills' defense, which entered Week 15 allowing the fewest fantasy points to tight ends. The veteran had one catch for 18 yards, as well as a key drop with New England trailing on third down in the fourth quarter. A more favorable matchup — the Ravens — awaits him in Week 16.

Not a perfect ball from Drake Maye by any means but brutal drop by Hunter Henry on what should’ve been a third-and-12 conversion. pic.twitter.com/xRb39419Rj

— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) December 14, 2025

Isaiah Likely, 0.0 FPTS

In his first game against the Bengals this year, Likely exploded for five catches and 95 yards. He was averaging 13.0 fantasy points over his last two games ahead of Week 15. However, his productivity came crashing back down on Sunday as Baltimore faced Cincinnati for the second time this year. Not only was Likely held without a catch, but he wasn't even targeted in the Ravens' 24-0 win. He's a high-end TE3 and can be benched in most leagues.

Brenton Strange, 3.6 FPTS

Strange caught one of his three targets for 26 yards. The Jaguars had numerous explosive performances on the offensive side of the ball, but Strange wasn't one of the many beneficiaries. He now has just four catches and 9.3 fantasy points over his last two games. The 24-year-old ranks as a low-end TE2 for Week 16 against Denver.

Tyler Warren, 4.9 FPTS

Warren caught three of his six targets for 19 yards on Sunday. There was some optimism that the rookie tight end would be heavily targeted as a short or medium pass catching threat against the Seahawks, but that didn't come to fruition. Instead, he turned in his second-worst game of the season, trailing only the previous week's loss to Jacksonville.

He has 8.6 fantasy points over his last two games and is borderline benchable with Rivers on track to start again in Week 16.

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