Biggest Fantasy Football Busts of the Week - Fantasy Outlooks for Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson, Michael Pittman Jr., Brock Bowers, more

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 10 of the 2025 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and if they'll bounce back.

We've officially made it through most of Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season. This week's games resulted in several explosive fantasy performances, giving fantasy managers momentum to survive midseason bye weeks and injuries. However, many players also held their fantasy football managers back with disappointing games.

These underwhelming performances created plenty of stress and panic for fantasy managers. In some cases, these busts were directly responsible for a manager losing their matchup.

Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 10, 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

Bryce Young, 2.6 FPTS

Young had another ugly game despite a favorable matchup against the Saints. The former No. 1 pick threw for 124 yards, had an interception and a lost fumble, and took two sacks. He likely ranks outside the top 24 fantasy quarterbacks heading into Week 11 at Atlanta.

Sam Darnold, 7.9 FPTS

Darnold had an underwhelming fantasy performance despite the Seahawks dropping 44 points on Sunday. The veteran quarterback was not a major scoring threat, amassing 178 yards, one touchdown, and two turnovers. He'll look to clean things up for Week 11 against the Rams. As it stands, he's a high-end QB2 for fantasy football.

The Cardinals force the fumble and get the ball right back

AZvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/TivF90q09K

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025

Geno Smith, 5.4 FPTS

Smith led one scoring drive on Thursday night, and the actual touchdown came on the ground. Smith threw his 13th interception of the season and also took six sacks. He can be avoided in all fantasy leagues.

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, 3.0 FPTS

Croskey-Merritt had 11 carries for 30 yards on Sunday, and he didn't get involved in the receiving game. While it was intriguing to see the rookie lead the backfield in touches, his low efficiency (2.7 YPC) and lack of a receiving role make him tough to trust in. He's merely a low-end RB3/flex for Week 11 as the Commanders continue to operate out of a running back committee.

Washington's backfield registered the following stats in Sunday's loss:

RJ Harvey, 3.8 FPTS

Harvey had just four carries and two receptions in the Broncos' low-scoring win over the Raiders on Thursday night. He continues to operate in a clear backup role behind J.K. Dobbins, making him tough to trust in fantasy lineups for the time being. However, Dobbins exited this game with a foot injury, which could open up more opportunities for Harvey.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

Olamide Zaccheaus, 1.5 FPTS

Zaccheaus's productivity dipped on Sunday as he caught just one of his four targets from Caleb Williams. The veteran receiver was held in check as Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III were responsible for most of the Bears' receiving stats in Week 10. He can be benched in Week 10 against the Vikings.

Keenan Allen, 3.9 FPTS

Allen caught two of his five targets for 19 yards on Sunday. The veteran receiver struggled to produce in a crowded offense that also features Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Oronde Gadsden II, and Kimani Vidal. His time will come to get back on track, as he continues to rank as a solid WR2 option for fantasy football.

Remember when people thought Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen were the Chargers WR1 and WR2?

What a good laugh that was.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) November 10, 2025

DK Metcalf, 6.5 FPTS

Mectalf had three catches for a modest 35 yards on Sunday, turning in single-digit fantasy points for the second week in a row. The 27-year-old still has upside thanks to his size and playmaking ability, but he might drop to the high-end WR3 tier as he works to get his production back on track.

Xavier Legette, 0.0 FPTS

Legette couldn't haul in his lone target against the Saints on Sunday. His dud was reflective of Carolina's passing game as a whole, as Young amassed just 124 yards through the air. There's barely enough momentum for this offense to support Tetairoa McMillan's fantasy relevance. For the time being, Legette isn't a dependable fantasy option.

Calvin Austin III, 3.4 FPTS

One week removed from a five-catch, 56-yard outing, Austin came back down to earth against the Chargers. He did fetch a season-high seven targets, but he had just two receptions for 14 yards. The 26-year-old is tough to trust in fantasy leagues ahead of Week 11.

Rashid Shaheed, 3.3 FPTS

Shaheed was held in check during his Seahawks debut, catching one pass for three receiving yards while adding another 20 rushing yards. We expected a bit of an adjustment period for Shaheed after being traded to Seattle, so don't be surprised if he ranks outside the top 36 fantasy receivers for at least another week or two.

Let's check out the Seattle wide receivers' involvement and final stats from Week 10:

Justin Jefferson, 7.7 FPTS

Jefferson hauled in just four of his 12 targets during Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Interestingly, Jefferson delivered his lowest fantasy points total of the season in the same week that he posted a new season-high in targets. He'll bounce back as a solid WR1 in Week 12 against Chicago.

Courtland Sutton, 4.4 FPTS

Sutton was held to single-digit fantasy points for just the third time this season. In addition to being limited to three receptions, he took a sack against the Raiders. Denver's top receiver should bounce back as a solid fantasy WR2 in Week 11 against the Chiefs.

Michael Pittman Jr., 3.9 FPTS

Pittman was targeted just twice as the Colts went run-heavy against the Falcons in Berlin. With that being said, Pittman was still out-targeted by Alec Pierce and Tyler Warren. The 28-year-old should bounce back as a steady WR1 on the other side of the Colts' Week 11 bye.

Brandin Cooks, 0.0 FPTS

There was speculation that Cooks would take on a larger role after Shaheed was traded away. Instead, he finished without a target on Sunday. The veteran receiver should continue to be benched in most fantasy leagues.

Jordan Addison, 6.5 FPTS

Addison saw a whopping 11 targets on Sunday, but he caught just three passes for 35 yards. Outside of the three completions, it was clear that Addison and J.J. McCarthy struggled to get on the same page in Week 10. He has single-digit fantasy points in each of his last two games, but his high target share leaves the door open for him to bounce back as a high-end WR3 next week.

Josh Downs, 1.3 FPTS

Downs reached a new low point this season, catching just one pass for three yards. He was a non-factor in the passing game, finishing with single-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 4. He'll look to bounce back as a strong WR3/flex when the Colts return to action in Week 12.

How wild is it that Alec Pierce has become a better WR (or at least more important to the Colts) than Josh Downs?!

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) November 9, 2025

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

AJ Barner, 0.3 FPTS

Barner had three rushing yards on Sunday, and he wasn't targeted in the passing game. The tight end's inconsistent stat line continues. He's nothing more than a desperation fill-in for fantasy managers dealing with bye weeks and injuries.

Evan Engram, 3.2 FPTS

Engram was targeted five times on Thursday, catching just two passes for 12 yards. His first season in Denver has been a disappointment, as he ranks as the overall TE26. He can continue to be left on waivers in most leagues.

Hunter Henry, 1.9 FPTS

Henry caught just one of his four targets for nine yards against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Drake Maye had a fine day passing, but he rarely relied on his tight ends in the victory. Henry and Austin Hooper combined for just the one catch. The 30-year-old is a fringe top-12 tight end heading into Week 11 against the Jets.

Brock Bowers, 3.7 FPTS

Bowers had just one catch on Thursday night, which was the lowest total of his young career. It was a shockingly quiet performance from the star tight end, just one week removed from his three-touchdown outburst. There's no question that he has high-end TE1 upside, but whether Geno Smith can support that level of production every week remains unclear.

Brock Bowers Held to One Long Catch on Just Three Targets in Denver https://t.co/iPySBvjUvn

— RotoBaller (@RotoBaller) November 7, 2025

T.J. Hockenson, 2.8 FPTS

Hockenson had his quietest game since Week 2, catching just two passes for eight yards. He ranks outside the top 24 tight ends in fantasy football this year, making him challenging to trust against the Bears. He can be benched or dropped to waivers in most leagues.

Mason Taylor, 1.4 FPTS

The Jets' passing attack showed essentially zero signs of life on Sunday, leaving key players like Taylor with minimal production. The rookie caught just one pass for four yards, falling very shy of his projection in all formats. He belongs on the bench as a low-end TE2 heading into Week 11 against New England.

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