Biggest Fantasy Football Busts of the Week - Fantasy Outlooks for Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Tetairoa McMillan, Dalton Schultz

December 29, 2025

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 17 of the 2025 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and if they'll bounce back.

Week 17 is one of the most stressful weeks for fantasy football managers. The fantasy championships took place in most leagues this week, creating plenty of chaos, panic, and (hopefully) excitement.

In a perfect world, you would win the championship in all of your leagues, fueled by your key players leading the way. However, that's rarely the case. Fantasy football performances can fluctuate every week, and often, the best players don't meet expectations. Managers experienced this firsthand in Week 17, as many NFL players drastically underperformed. These "busts" put their managers at a disadvantage and may have dismantled your quest for the trophy.

Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 17, as well as whether or not we can still have some trust in these players heading into the final week of the regular season. 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

Jared Goff, 6.0 FPTS

Goff had one of the worst games of his career on Christmas Day, amassing one touchdown, five turnovers, and five sacks against a very strong Vikings defense. He was a top-10 fantasy quarterback entering this week, but he let down his fantasy managers in a huge way. He'll drop to the QB2 tier for Week 18 against the Bears.

.@AndrewVanGinkel 🤴

📺: @netflix pic.twitter.com/b1CdqGGUaw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 26, 2025

Aaron Rodgers, 6.3 FPTS

Expectations for Rodgers were relatively low given the absences of DK Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin III (hamstring). Still, managers can be upset about the future Hall of Fame quarterback throwing for just 168 yards and zero touchdowns against the Browns. He should continue to be benched against the Ravens in Week 18, especially as Metcalf remains suspended.

Jalen Hurts, 10.9 FPTS

Hurts played turnover-free football on Sunday, but low volume led to his relatively underwhelming fantasy performance. He finished with just 110 passing yards, five rushing yards, and one touchdown against the Bills. Managers should feel good about his ability to return to the top-12 quarterback range against Washington in Week 18.

Sam Darnold, 8.1 FPTS

Darnold tallied 147 passing yards, one touchdown, and two turnovers in the Seahawks' win over the Panthers. He also took three sacks. Defense carried Seattle to victory on Sunday as Darnold had a relatively ugly game. He remains a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback for next week's regular-season finale against the playoff-bound 49ers.

CHAOS, but OUR BALL!!

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/0PnAjuudCu

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 28, 2025

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

Saquon Barkley, 6.8 FPTS

Barkley had a healthy dose of touches with 19 carries on Sunday, but he mustered a modest 68 rushing yards and didn't command a single target. It was a disappointing end to Barkley's streak of three games with at least 17 fantasy points and one touchdown. He'll get back into the low-end RB1 tier for Week 18 against the Commanders. He had 132 yards and a touchdown in his last clash with Washington.

Kenneth Gainwell, 6.8 FPTS

Gainwell had scored at least 16 fantasy points in each of his three previous games ahead of Week 17. However, he came crashing back down to earth with 10 touches and just 38 scrimmage yards on Sunday afternoon. A softer matchup against the Ravens in Week 18 could vault him back into low-end RB2 territory.

Michael Carter, 6.3 FPTS

Carter was held in check despite facing a Bengals defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in most categories. The 26-year-old had seven carries, 29 rushing yards, two catches, and 14 receiving yards. Between the game script and Emari Demercado taking on a larger role, Carter lost his fantasy allure this week. He'll drop to the bottom of the RB3/flex tier against a strong Rams defense in Week 18.

Tyjae Spears, 1.1 FPTS

Just one game removed from totaling 105 yards and a touchdown, Spears delivered a dud against the Saints. He had two rushing yards and also lost a yard on his lone reception. He's an intriguing pass-catching back, but inconsistent volume will drop him to the RB4 tier for Week 18 against Jacksonville.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., 6.7 FPTS

Tracy had his quietest performance since the bye week, finishing with 62 rushing yards and negative five receiving yards. He handled a team-high 15 touches but was far less productive than Devin Singletary, who scored a touchdown. This was likely a fluke for Tracy, and he should return to the low-end RB2 tier against a subpar Cowboys run defense in Week 18.

Ah, it’s a Devin Singletary day, cool, cool

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) December 28, 2025

Dylan Sampson, 5.7 FPTS

Sampson stepped into the lead-back role with Quinshon Judkins (leg) done for the year, but he didn't quite live up to the hype. The rookie had 11 carries for 27 yards, and he caught three passes but finished with zero receiving yards. He's a low-end RB3/flex heading into Week 18 against the Bengals, especially if he continues to share touches with Raheim Sanders.

Josh Jacobs, 1.3 FPTS
Emanuel Wilson, 3.4 FPTS

For the first time this season, two players occupy one spot on the list. Jacobs was underwhelming with just five touches, but his 28% snap share indicates he might have still been injured. If that were indeed the case, though, we would have expected more from Wilson, who only mustered four touches and 24 yards while being fully healthy. The game script destroyed this backfield in Week 17.

James Cook, 8.7 FPTS

We may be stretching the definition of "bust" here, but Cook is worth mentioning because he had his worst fantasy performance since Week 5. The 26-year-old tallied a modest 77 scrimmage yards and saw his two-game touchdown streak come to an end. He should bounce back as a high-end RB1 against a very poor Jets run defense in Week 18.

Jaylen Warren, 6.4 FPTS

Warren looked solid on the ground with 12 carries for 64 rushing yards. However, for just the second time this season, he wasn't targeted in the passing game. The 27-year-old should bounce back as a mid-range RB2 against the Ravens with the AFC North on the line. Warren had 49 receiving yards and a touchdown in his last battle with Baltimore.

Jahmyr Gibbs, 7.4 FPTS

Gibbs was bottled up in the Lions' ugly loss to the Vikings. He was held to just 41 rushing yards on 17 carries, and he only caught two passes. The former first-round pick also lost a fumble. The 23-year-old was held to fewer than 45 rushing yards for the fourth consecutive week. He'll look to bounce back with a higher receiving role against the playoff-bound Bears in Week 18.

George Pickens + Jahmyr Gibbs + Jaxon Smith-Njigba combining for ~25 points in the finals is fantasy football at its very worst

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 28, 2025

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

Josh Downs, 5.4 FPTS

Downs came back down to earth in Week 17 as the Colts' passing attack took a step backward. He caught just two passes for 34 yards and turned in his worst fantasy performance since Week 12. He'll face a strong Texans secondary next weekend, and he could end up catching passes from Riley Leonard if Indianapolis makes its anticipated quarterback change.

Jameson Williams, 5.7 FPTS

Williams suffered as a result of Goff's disappointing outing. The 24-year-old had just two catches for 37 yards, which were his lowest marks since Week 12. He should bounce back as a mid-range WR2 in a favorable matchup against the Bears next week.

Jalen Coker, 3.6 FPTS

Coker was limited to two catches for 16 yards this week. Somehow, he still led the Panthers in receptions and receiving yards. He was one of many Panthers receivers who were shut down by the Seahawks' defense on Sunday. He'll look to bounce back as a low-end WR3/flex against the Buccaneers next weekend.

Xavier Worthy, 0.1 FPTS

We knew Worthy would have reduced productivity with Chris Oladokun quarterbacking the Chiefs. However, managers expected him to perform a little better than this, especially since Rashee Rice (concussion) was inactive. In the end, the 22-year-old had one rushing yard and failed to haul in any of his three targets. He ranks outside the top 36 fantasy receivers as long as Oladokun remains the starter.

Ladd McConkey, 4.1 FPTS

McConkey had another dud on Saturday, catching just one pass for 31 yards. He seems to be enduring an extreme second-year slump while competing for volume with Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris. The former Georgia wideout could be due for more struggles against a Broncos secondary led by Patrick Surtain II in Week 18.

Wow, Ladd McConkey with the DONUT

Absolutely massive bust

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 28, 2025

DeVonta Smith, 4.5 FPTS

Wet weather conditions might have impacted Smith on Sunday, as he caught just two passes for 25 yards in the Eagles' one-point win over the Bills. The 27-year-old turned in his worst fantasy performance since Week 11, but we expect him to bounce back next weekend against the Commanders. In his last battle with Washington, he tallied six catches, 42 receiving yards, and a touchdown.

Justin Jefferson, 7.0 FPTS

Jefferson had a quiet fantasy performance while catching passes from Max Brosmer on Christmas Day. He has posted single-digit fantasy points in five of his last six games. His fantasy outlook for Week 18 will depend on whether Brosmer gets another start. If J.J. McCarthy (hand) returns to action, Jefferson could jump back into the high-end WR2 conversation.

Michael Pittman Jr., 3.6 FPTS

Pittman isn't the first Colts wide receiver on this list, nor will he be the last. He caught just two passes for 16 yards, delivering his worst fantasy performance since Week 13 against the Texans. He also missed a portion of the contest due to a calf injury, but was able to return fairly quickly. Unfortunately for Pittman and his managers, he faces that strong Houston secondary again in Week 18.

DJ Moore, 1.7 FPTS

Moore shook off an injury designation after being listed as questionable with an illness, but that didn't lead to a very productive fantasy outing from the veteran receiver. He is in the midst of his worst fantasy campaign since his rookie season in 2018. He's a risky WR3/flex for Week 18 versus Detroit, and his floor will drop even lower if Rome Odunze (foot) returns to action.

Troy Franklin, 5.7 FPTS

Franklin caught all four of his targets on Thursday night, but he was held to a very low total of 17 receiving yards. He has posted fewer than 6.0 fantasy points in three of his last five games, and he remains inconsistent even with Pat Bryant sidelined. The Broncos will likely be forced to pass more against the Chargers in Week 18, leaving Franklin in the WR3/flex range.

Tetairoa McMillan, 1.5 FPTS

McMillan caught just one of his four targets for five yards on Sunday afternoon. He was shut down by a very strong Seahawks defense that tormented Bryce Young all day long. He should bounce back as a high-end WR2 against the Buccaneers with the division on the line in Week 18. In his last outing against the Bucs, he caught six passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Until the Panthers upgrade on Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan will continue to be a disappointment in fantasy football.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 28, 2025

Alec Pierce, 0.0 FPTS

Pierce commanded five targets on Sunday, but he finished without a single reception. This was his first goose egg of the season, and it was a disappointing way to follow up last week's two-touchdown performance. There's an enormous range of outcomes for Pierce in Week 18 against the Texans. He has top-12 upside, but we also wouldn't be surprised to see him finish outside of the top 50 receivers.

Adonai Mitchell, 5.2 FPTS

Mitchell was targeted nine times on Sunday, but he finished with just three catches in the Jets' loss to the Patriots. Although he has maintained a consistently high target share, he's not a must-start fantasy receiver as long as Brady Cook is New York's quarterback. He's a fringe top-36 fantasy receiver for Week 18 against Buffalo.

Keenan Allen, 2.7 FPTS

Allen had his quietest game of the season on Saturday, catching just one pass for 17 yards. The veteran receiver has posted single-digit fantasy points in each of his last nine contests. He ranks outside the top 28 wide receivers in fantasy scoring this year. Managers should view him as nothing more than a low-end WR3/flex against the Broncos in Week 18.

Other Wide Receiver Busts:

• Marvin Harrison Jr., 0.0 FPTS

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

Darren Waller, 1.0 FPTS

Waller was held to just one catch for zero yards on Sunday afternoon. This was certainly an underwhelming performance from the veteran tight end after he totaled 10 catches, 106 yards, and two touchdowns over his previous two games combined. A Week 18 matchup against the Patriots drops him to the low-end TE2 tier.

Dalton Schultz, 4.9 FPTS

Rookie wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel stole the show for Houston on Saturday. As a result, Schultz was left with reduced volume in the passing game. He caught three passes for 19 yards, turning in his worst fantasy performance since Week 12. He'll look to bounce back as a low-end TE1 against the eliminated Colts next weekend.

Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins are the 2⃣nd rookie duo in NFL history and the first since 1938 to each record TD receptions of 40-plus yards in the same game 😮‍💨

HOUvsLAC on @nflnetwork
Stream on #NFLPluspic.twitter.com/VE3YAyu5Xu

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) December 27, 2025

Other Tight End Busts:

• Taysom Hill, 0.0 FPTS

LIKE ROTOBALLER?

CLICK HERE, ENTER ROTOBALLER.COM, THEN CHECK THE BOX

More Fantasy Football Analysis