Fantasy Football Busts of the Year - Biggest Disappointments of the 2025 Season

January 8, 2026

Andy's biggest fantasy football busts of 2025. These players were overdrafted at ADP and were major disappointments that lost leagues for fantasy managers.

Every year, fantasy managers hit landmines in their draft. While this could be due to a number of factors, such as play-calling, poor offensive environments, or injuries, these picks can sometimes sink your chances of winning your league.

In this piece, we will take a look at some of the top busts at each position relative to their preseason ADP on Yahoo! and break down why they disappointed. We will also take a brief look ahead to 2026 and see if these players have a bounce-back in their outlook.

However, we will exclude players from the bust list who missed more than six games, such as Malik Nabers, who was playing at a high level before being shut down. Let's dive in!

Fantasy Football Busts of the Year - Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

ADP - 22.9

While Lamar Jackson did miss time earlier this season (three games with a hamstring injury and one with a back injury), the star QB did not live up to his second-round price tag when on the field.

Managers who selected Jackson were enjoying a dominant start to the season, averaging 30.0 PPR points per game over the first three weeks. He exited early in Week 4 with the hamstring injury but returned to form in Week 9, tallying 27.6 PPR points against the Miami Dolphins in his return.

However, after this showing, Jackson's season took a sharp turn for the worse. The former two-time MVP would average a mere 14.3 PPR points from Weeks 10 through 16 and would only eclipse the 20.0 fantasy point mark once covering this stretch.

Throughout these seven games, managers debated benching their star QB, but likely would not have a similar alternative given his elite rushing upside. In this stretch, Jackson would total just five scrimmage TDs with a mere 176.9 passing yards per game. To make matters worse, Jackson would then miss his fourth game of the season during the fantasy championships in Week 17.

While he was a major disappointment, one can argue that his hamstring injury derailed his season. With his top wideout, Zay Flowers, continuing to show progression and tight end Mark Andrews extended for another three seasons, Jackson remains a bona fide top-3 QB in fantasy entering 2026.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ADP - 73.0

Going off as the No. 9 QB on Yahoo! ADP, Baker Mayfield was not a major disappointment, but was a poor selection in drafts, given the other QBs that shared similar ADP.

Following Week 17, Mayfield carried the 15th-best FPTS/G at the position (16.8) but saw his production take a steep dive in the second half, which hurt managers when it mattered the most. In Weeks 1 through 7, Mayfield averaged a strong 22.3 PPR points per game and was a viable QB1 in all leagues.

However, from Weeks 8 through 17, Mayfield was a fringe option at best in standard leagues, posting a much lower 17.7 PPR points per game. During this nine-game stretch, he tallied just 13 total TDs (12 passing) with a hefty eight interceptions.

Managers who opted to wait a few more rounds to select their QB struck gold as Dak Prescott (81.7 ADP), Justin Herbert (105.6 ADP), Drake Maye (105.8 ADP), Jared Goff (106.5 ADP), and Caleb Williams (108.4 ADP) all outscored Mayfield in terms of PPG. Prescott, Williams, and Maye actually finished within the top eight at the position and provided a significant advantage.

Despite the rough finish, with budding star Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. fully healthy, Mayfield should return to QB1 territory next season.

Fantasy Football Busts of the Year - Running Backs

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

ADP - 2.9

Saquon Barkley won leagues in 2024. In his debut season in Philadelphia, Barkley totalled 2,005 yards with his legs and found the back of the end zone 15 times. He nearly matched Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record.

However, after being selected with the second overall pick in most Yahoo! leagues, Barkley needed to have a similar showing in his encore to live up to that cost. Unfortunately, those who took Barkley with their first pick were rewarded with an RB14 finish (in PPR) and a very disappointing performance at a cost.

The entire Philadelphia offense was quite inconsistent this season, which led to its demise. Through 17 weeks, Barkley would only eclipse 100 rushing yards in three games and scored just nine touchdowns.

His lack of burst significantly limited his ceiling, as he posted a low 4.1 YPC in comparison to his impressive 5.8 YPC the year prior. Barkley also only eclipsed 20+ yards on four carries in 2025, compared to his eye-catching 17 rushes for 20+ yards in 2024.

SAQUON GONE ON SECOND PLAY.

NYGvsPHI on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/PbcWnvKV2E

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Any other first-round RB like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, or Christian McCaffrey would have been a much better choice at cost.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

ADP - 41.9

Chuba Hubbard inked a three-year extension with the Panthers last November and was expected to operate as the clear workhorse in the offense. Hubbard enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 campaign, averaging 18.3 PPR points per game over the first two weeks. However, after these two games, Hubbard would only hit the double-digit PPR point mark once.

From Weeks 3 through 17 (missed two games with a calf injury), Hubbard averaged only 7.3 PPR points per game. Throughout most of the campaign, the Panthers opted to give Rico Dowdle the lead job in the backfield, pushing Hubbard to a distant change-of-pace role.

While he appeared to get back on track in Week 13, scoring 20.4 PPR points against the Rams, Hubbard would quickly revert to form, tallying just 4.7 PPR points per game during the fantasy football playoffs (Weeks 15-17).

With Dowdle's emergence, Hubbard seems tough to trust next season without a change of scenery.

Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

ADP - 80.4

Kaleb Johnson was a popular mid-round target among the 2025 rookie class. Johnson joined the Steelers in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft and was expected to take on a sizable role as the team opted to let long-time starter Najee Harris walk in free agency.

However, Johnson would never carve out a role in this backfield and would spend the entire campaign in the No. 3 role. Through 10 games Johnson appeared in (healthy scratch for the others), the Iowa product logged just 28 rushing attempts for 69 yards.

Managers opted to take Johnson over fellow backfield mate Jaylen Warren (88.7 ADP), who would finish as the RB19 in FPTS/G and one round before Travis Etienne Jr. (104.6 ADP), who was the RB12 in FPTS/G. Johnson is tough to trust going forward, even in dynasty leagues, given his minuscule role as a rookie.

Fantasy Football Busts of the Year - Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

ADP - 5.9

While Barkley was the bust in the opening round at the RB position, Justin Jefferson takes the crown for WRs. Jefferson has played alongside numerous QBs during his career, and that has never slowed him down...until 2025.

With a combination of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer under center, the LSU standout sits as the overall WR26 and 35th in terms of FPTS/G (11.4) entering Week 18.

He only eclipsed 20.0 PPR points once this season and fell under the double-digit mark six times. While Jefferson could enjoy a better opportunity with McCarthy in 2026 after a full offseason together, he remains a late-round first-round target heading into 2026 and far from other high-end WRs like Ja'Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

ADP - 15.3

Brian Thomas Jr. won leagues in his debut campaign and was taken just outside the opening round in his sophomore season. In Weeks 15 through 17 of last season, Thomas averaged an elite 28.2 PPR points per game with Mac Jones throwing him the football.

BRIAN THOMAS JR.!

📺: #JAXvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Plt8MEmW32

— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

With a healthy Trevor Lawrence and offensive-minded Liam Coen taking over coaching duties, Thomas seemed poised for a massive second-year campaign. However, the former first-round pick would finish as the WR44 in PPR leagues and total just 10.1 PPR points per game (49th among WRs).

While Lawrence enjoyed an MVP-level campaign, he and Thomas could never get on the same page, as Lawrence instead looked towards Parker Washington and newly acquired Jakobi Meyers in the passing game. Similar to Jefferson, Thomas only eclipsed the 20.0 PPR point mark once and was held to under four catches in seven games.

Thomas will be a highly debated player heading into 2026 drafts, given his wide range of outcomes. The talent is there, but can he connect with Lawrence over an extended period?

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

ADP - 24.2

The other second-year wideout that disappointed relative to ADP was Ladd McConkey. Similar to Thomas, McConkey was a legit WR1 down the stretch in his rookie season, averaging 17.6 PPR points from Weeks 8 through 18. In their Wild Card loss to the Texans, McConkey capped off an impressive rookie season, catching nine of his 14 targets for 197 yards and a score.

LADD MCCONKEY GOES 86 YARDS ON 3RD AND 26!

📺: #LACvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/HY54nsLyeo

— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025

Unfortunately, McConkey took a massive step back due to his crowded offense. Despite Herbert being a top-10 QB for fantasy, McConkey finished Week 17 averaging only 11.3 PPR points per game, good for the 36th best at the position.

McConkey saw his targets take a steady decline as Quentin Johnston took over the deep threat role while Keenan Allen became a safety valve in the middle of the field. Additionally, rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II enjoyed a productive stretch as well, taking even more opportunities from McConkey.

However, given that he will continue to play alongside an elite QB for the foreseeable future, the Georgia product seems primed for a bounce-back, especially if Allen is no longer on the roster in 2026. Managers looking to acquire a young wide receiver with high-end WR2 upside in dynasty leagues should look to buy low on McConkey this offseason.

Fantasy Football Busts of the Year - Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

ADP - 58.6

Recovering from a torn ACL, Hockenson was a sneaky sleeper candidate going off as the TE5 in Yahoo! leagues. Down the stretch in 2024, Hockenson showed some signs of life, eclipsing the double-sight PPR point mark in three of his last five games. With a full offseason to recover, Hockenson seemed primed to compete for the TE1 title.

Unfortunately, like Jefferson, the Minnesota offense was very inconsistent this season due to the revolving door of QBs. Through 15 games (did not play in Week 17), the veteran tight end averaged just 7.5 PPR points per game, placing him 27th at the position. He found the end zone just three times.

His 4.4 targets per game did not provide him with much of a floor or upside, as he only tallied more than 10.0 PPR points in four games. Managers who waited several rounds later to fill this position enjoyed a much more positive outcome (more on that later).

Evan Engram, Denver Broncos

ADP - 82.3

Evan Engram was a poor low-end TE1 in drafts, as he was projected to compete for the No. 2 receiving role in this offense, opposite Courtland Sutton. Leading up to the season, the newly-acquired Engram was dubbed "The Joker" by head coach Sean Payton, suggesting he could return to his 2023 form, where he brought in a hefty 114 receptions and was a must-start TE1.

TE Evan Engram = Broncos "Joker" in 2025??🃏

HC Sean Payton reveals some offensive AND defensive playmakers that fit the bill 👀@heykayadams | @Broncos #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/oh2qfTKmHM

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 12, 2025

Unfortunately, Engram never found his footing in this offense, catching only 47 passes for 416 yards and one score. Engram averaged 6.4 PPR points per game, which places him 32nd among TEs. Instead, second-year wideout Troy Franklin took on the WR2 role.

Managers who waited a few rounds and selected Jake Ferguson (110.3), Tyler Warren (104.5), or Dallas Goedert (113.0) over Engram and Hockenson dodged two massive landmines.

LIKE ROTOBALLER?

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

More Fantasy Football Analysis