Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 16 of the 2025 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and if they'll bounce back.
Week 16 is wrapping up, which means the fantasy championships are just a few days away in most leagues. Hopefully, your teams had a strong week and advanced to the final round, fueled by your key players leading the way. However, that's not always the case. Fantasy football performances can fluctuate every week, and the best players don't always meet expectations.
Managers experienced this firsthand in Week 16, as many NFL players drastically underperformed. These "busts" failed to meet their projections and expectations, and it wasn't particularly close. Not only did these busts put their managers at a disadvantage, but they also cost some managers their shot at advancing to the fantasy football championship.
Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 16, 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.
Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.
Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts
Josh Allen, 6.9 FPTS
Allen was held in check by the Browns on Sunday. He completed just 12 passes for 130 yards, added 17 rushing yards, and didn't score a touchdown. On a positive note, he didn't have a turnover, either. The 29-year-old should shake off this outing and return to the high-end QB1 tier in Week 17 against Philadelphia.
Jaxson Dart, 1.0 FPTS
The Giants simply didn't want to pass the ball on Sunday. Dart went 7-for-13 passing with just 33 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He also took five sacks. This was a really weird game from the rookie, who should bounce back with a much more favorable matchup against the Raiders coming up.
I know it’s an insanely tough matchup (and it’s why he was a sit this week) but Jaxson Dart has been trending down ever since they fired Daboll
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) December 21, 2025
Fantasy Football Running Back Busts
Josh Jacobs, 5.8 FPTS
Jacobs was admittedly banged up coming into this game with a knee injury, but we still expected more, given that he played the entire contest. The 27-year-old had 12 carries, 36 rushing yards, two catches, 12 receiving yards, and a lost fumble. He was out-snapped and out-performed by Emanuel Wilson in the Packers' defeat.
Kareem Hunt, 0.2 FPTS
Hunt had three carries for two yards as the Chiefs limped to the finish line against Tennessee. He's going to have a tough time carving out a fantasy role in this Chris Oladokun-led offense over the final two weeks of the season. Hunt can be benched or dropped in all leagues.
Evan Hull, 0.3 FPTS
Neither Saints running back had a strong fantasy performance on Sunday, but Hull's final line of five carries and three rushing yards was particularly discouraging. After all, there had been speculation earlier in the week that he could lead the backfield in touches. He can be dropped in all leagues after being out-produced by Audric Estime.
The answer to Audric Estime or Evan Hull was so obviously Taysom Hill that absolutely nobody started a guy that touched the ball 17 times and even threw a touchdown https://t.co/bzOoxcb36v
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) December 21, 2025
Nick Chubb, 5.2 FPTS
Chubb was expected to step in as the Texans' primary running back on Sunday, with the top option, Woody Marks, held out due to an ankle injury. Instead, those responsibilities went to Jawhar Jordan, who now had 70 scrimmage yards on 20 touches. Chubb can be benched or dropped in all fantasy leagues ahead of Week 17 against the Chargers.
Javonte Williams, 6.3 FPTS
Williams had his quietest game of the season, carrying the ball just nine times for 34 yards on the ground and adding a pair of catches. The Cowboys dropped 17 points in the first half, but Williams wasn't part of those scoring efforts. Then, Dallas was blanked in the second half. The 25-year-old should bounce back as a strong RB1 against the Commanders on Thursday.
David Montgomery, 1.4 FPTS
Montgomery had four carries for 14 yards on Sunday, and his three-game touchdown streak came to an end. Both of Detroit's running backs underperformed in the rushing attack. The 28-year-old ranks outside the top 36 fantasy running backs for Week 17 against the Vikings.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts
Wan'Dale Robinson, 5.2 FPTS
Robinson had three catches for 19 yards on Sunday, and he also rushed for three yards. Not only did the 24-year-old have a low-volume outing, but he also posted an abnormally low yardage total. The 24-year-old has been a top-12 receiver in fantasy scoring this year, and he should bounce back as a low-end WR1 against a soft Raiders defense in Week 17.
Christian Watson, 3.7 FPTS
Watson delivered another underwhelming fantasy outing on Saturday, catching just two of his six targets for 17 yards. After an impressive seven-week stretch, the 26-year-old has come back down to earth with fewer than six fantasy points in each of his last two games. He's a WR3/flex whose value could slip a little if Malik Willis starts in place of Jordan Love (concussion) next weekend.
Drake London, 5.7 FPTS
London had a modest performance in his first game back from his knee injury. He caught just three of the eight passes that Kirk Cousins threw his way, and he amassed 27 yards in the process. We know that London can be a high-end WR1 when he's 100 percent. Look for him to bounce back in Week 17 despite facing a strong Rams defense.
Week 16 single-digit performances from players with high expectations:
Josh Allen - 6.9 fantasy pts
Trey McBride - 6.7
Amon-Ra St. Brown - 9.4
Bucky Irving - 7.1
Nico Collins - 9.9
Javonte Williams - 6.3
Michael Carter - 6.5
Drake London - 5.7
Travis Kelce - 1.6Who did I miss?
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) December 22, 2025
Jayden Higgins, 2.7 FPTS
Higgins caught just one of his three targets for 17 yards on Sunday. The rookie has now been held to just one catch in each of his last two games. His fantasy floor has taken a massive hit all of a sudden, and he's no longer a top-36 receiver for Week 17 against the Chargers.
Kayshon Boutte, 2.6 FPTS
Boutte has been held to just one catch in each of his last two games. He was out-produced by Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and even Kyle Williams in the Patriots' victory over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football. The 23-year-old ranks as a WR4 heading into Week 17 against the Jets. Boutte also sustained a head injury during the game's final frame, which could put him in danger of sitting out next weekend.
Jordan Addison, 4.6 FPTS
Addison caught just two passes for the second week in a row. He had an underwhelming fantasy finish after catching passes from a combination of J.J. McCarthy (hand) and Max Brosmer on Sunday. If Brosmer starts in Week 17, Addison will rank outside the top 36 fantasy receivers.
Brian Thomas Jr., 3.8 FPTS
Thomas couldn't get much going against a strong Broncos secondary. The former first-round pick caught just two of his three targets for 18 yards in the Jaguars' win. He was out-produced by both Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, and it didn't exactly look like a fluke. He's a WR3/flex for Week 17 against the Colts. Managers can absolutely justify leaving him on the bench.
Emeka Egbuka, 5.0 FPTS
Egbuka was a Rookie of the Year candidate at one time, but he has taken a huge step back during the second half of the season. On Sunday, he caught just one of his two targets for 40 yards. The Ohio State product should slip outside of the top 36 receivers in fantasy rankings for Week 17, when he faces Miami.
Remember when Emeka Egbuka used to be good at football?
Those were the days...
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 21, 2025
Darius Slayton, 1.8 FPTS
Robinson wasn't the only Giants receiver turning in a dud. Slayton had his worst fantasy performance since Week 1 as he caught just one pass for eight yards despite handling a 79% snap share. He'll look to bounce back as a low-end WR3/flex against the Raiders next week.
John Metchie, 1.4 FPTS
Metchie had just one catch for four yards on Sunday, struggling to build much of a rapport with Brady Cook. This was his first game with fewer than four receptions since Week 11. At best, the 25-year-old is a low-end WR3/flex play in deep fantasy leagues when he faces the Patriots next weekend.
Marvin Harrison Jr., 2.4 FPTS
Harrison caught just one pass in his first game back from a heel injury. He was likely less than 100 percent on Sunday. Managers should view him as a WR3/flex in Week 17, especially if he continues to be out-targeted by Michael Wilson and McBride.
Fantasy Football Tight End Busts
Colby Parkinson, 4.1 FPTS
It seemed like Davante Adams' (knee, hamstring) absence would create more opportunities for Parkinson, especially around the goal line. Instead, he caught two passes and was held without a touchdown for just the second time in his last six games. He'll fall back outside the top 12 tight ends for Week 17 against the Falcons, who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the position in 2025.
Travis Kelce, 1.6 FPTS
Kelce didn't end up operating as a security blanket in the Chiefs' first full game without Patrick Mahomes (knee). He was targeted four times on Sunday, catching one pass for six yards. He can be benched in most leagues as the Chiefs plan to start Oladokun over the final two weeks of the season, with Gardner Minshew (knee) also out for the remainder of the season.
Mark Andrews, 4.4 FPTS
Andrews had another quiet game on Sunday night, catching two passes for 21 yards. He has fewer than five fantasy points in each of his last three games, as well as four of his last five. He's a low-end TE2 heading into Week 17 against Green Bay.
Oronde Gadsden II, 1.7 FPTS
Gadsden converted his lone target into a seven-yard catch. The rookie has posted single-digit fantasy points in five of his last six games. He could end up in the TE2 range when he faces a strong Texans defense in Week 17.
Colston Loveland, 6.0 FPTS
Loveland caught three of his four targets for 30 yards on Saturday night. This six-point performance was his lowest since Week 13 and his second-lowest since Week 7. He should bounce back as a low-end TE1 in a favorable matchup against the 49ers next week.
Trey McBride, 6.7 FPTS
6.7 fantasy points puts any tight end in borderline bust territory. For McBride, it's low enough to qualify for this list, given that he entered this week as the TE1 with 19.4 points per game. He had just three catches and should bounce back as a high-end TE1 against a porous Bengals defense in Week 17.
There are some fantasy football leagues where 1st place in the season doesn't get any money.
I find that to be crazy, especially when you see duds from studs like Josh Allen and Trey McBride in the playoffs.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 22, 2025
Isaiah Likely, 0.0 FPTS
Likely has been held without a target in each of his last two games. There had been some optimism that he could take over as the Ravens' top tight end, but that simply isn't happening. Instead, he can be dropped in all redraft leagues.
T.J. Hockenson, 1.2 FPTS
Hockenson was held to just one target for the first time since the 2022 season. It was a frustrating finish for the veteran tight end, who had 16 catches over his previous four games. He remains in the TE2 range for next week's game against his old team, the Lions.
Dalton Kincaid, 0.0 FPTS
Kincaid was blanked by the Browns on Sunday, failing to haul in his lone target. He played fewer than 40% of the snaps for the sixth game in a row, which is an obscure decision by the Bills' coaching staff. His reduced usage could drop him outside the top 12 fantasy tight ends for Week 17 as he faces the Eagles.
Jake Ferguson, 4.9 FPTS
Ferguson was quiet for the second week in a row, taking a backseat to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens in the passing game. With three catches for 19 yards on Sunday, he now has fewer than five points in each of his last two games. He'll look to bounce back as a mid-to-low TE1 in a Christmas Day clash with the Commanders.
Theo Johnson, 0.0 FPTS
Johnson failed to register a catch on either of his two targets. It was an abnormally quiet game for the Giants' top tight end, who had been averaging 9.1 fantasy points per game before Week 16. He'll look to bounce back as a mid-to-low TE1 against the Raiders in Week 17.
More Fantasy Football Analysis
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
RADIO




