Biggest Fantasy Football Busts of the Week - Fantasy Outlooks for Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley, Travis Etienne Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Justin Jefferson

December 1, 2025

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 13 of the 2025 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and if they'll bounce back.

Another Sunday in the NFL has come and gone, and the 2025 fantasy football playoffs are yet another week closer. Hopefully, you woke up on Monday morning feeling very good about how your Week 13 matchup went. However, some fantasy managers enjoyed this week's games more than others. The Week 13 slate of NFL games was certainly stress-inducing for fantasy football managers.

Part of that stress was caused by a group of players who drastically underachieved in Week 13. These players failed to meet their fantasy expectations this week, and it cost their managers in a big way.

Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 13, 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

Aaron Rodgers, 2.7 FPTS

Rodgers completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes on Sunday. He also lost a fumble and failed to throw for a touchdown. The veteran quarterback is dealing with a nagging wrist injury, but his subpar fantasy performance was frustrating nonetheless. He'll rank outside the top 18 fantasy quarterbacks against the Baltimore secondary in Week 14.

THAT'S HOW YOU START THE SECOND HALF‼️

Christian Benford x #ProBowlVote
Joey Bosa x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/Gpy7sIVEvw

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 30, 2025

Sam Darnold, 2.1 FPTS

Darnold lost a fumble and took four sacks in the Seahawks' 26-0 win over Minnesota. The Seahawks didn't need to throw the ball very much, but Seattle's favorable game script won't be reflected in Darnold's disappointing fantasy performance. With that being said, he will still need to clean up his quarterback play going forward; he has eight turnovers and three touchdowns over his last four games.

Tua Tagovailoa, 4.7 FPTS

Tagovailoa barely maintained a completion rate above 50 percent on Sunday. He was also picked off and took four sacks in the Dolphins' win. The 27-year-old was held without a touchdown for his second consecutive game as Miami relied on the rushing attack to defeat New Orleans. He'll remain outside the top 18 fantasy quarterbacks for Week 14 against the Jets.

Lamar Jackson, 7.5 FPTS

Jackson simply hasn't looked like himself lately. He has zero touchdowns and five turnovers over his last three games, and he hasn't surpassed 27 rushing yards in any of those contests. This week alone, he turned the ball over three times. As crazy as it sounds, managers should legitimately consider starting someone else as Jackson takes on a solid Steelers defense in Week 14.

We'll take that ‼️

📺: #CINvsBAL on NBC pic.twitter.com/Kqnzy6cy46

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 28, 2025

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

Saquon Barkley, 5.6 FPTS

Barkley was shut down by the Bears on Friday. He had just 56 rushing yards on 13 carries, and he wasn't able to haul in either of his two targets. It has been an underwhelming year for last year's overall RB1. However, he's still a top-12 running back heading into a more favorable matchup against the Chargers, who will likely be without Justin Herbert (hand).

Tony Pollard, 6.3 FPTS

Pollard posted a solid 6.0 yards per carry on Sunday, but his fantasy value was limited by low receiving usage and a lost fumble. The 28-year-old continues to share a backfield with Tyjae Spears in one of the NFL's worst offenses. As a result, he's a low-floor RB3/flex heading into Week 14 against a very strong Browns run defense.

Travis Etienne Jr., 5.1 FPTS

A matchup against the Titans seemed like a perfect opportunity for Etienne to feast. Instead, the Jaguars went pass-heavy while cruising to victory. Etienne averaged just 2.3 yards per carry and caught one pass. He should bounce back as an RB2 against the Colts next week, but his ceiling is a little lower with rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten threatening to take on a much larger workload.

Looks like last week's reduced usage for Bhayshul Tuten had to do with injury.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) November 30, 2025

Sean Tucker, 0.0 FPTS

Tucker returned to being an afterthought with Bucky Irving back from his injury. Just two weeks removed from a three-touchdown explosion, the 24-year-old had two carries and zero yards on Sunday afternoon. He should be benched in all fantasy leagues as long as Irving and Rachaad White remain healthy.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

Darnell Mooney, 4.5 FPTS

Mooney was held to just two receptions on Sunday. He came back down to earth after tallying 74 yards and one touchdown last week. His five targets in Week 13 ranked first among Falcons wide receivers with Drake London (knee) sidelined, but that number trailed running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. The 28-year-old will be a shaky WR3/flex in Week 14 even if London remains injured.

DJ Moore, 4.7 FPTS

Moore caught two of his five targets for 17 yards, and he also had a 10-yard rush. The veteran receiver hasn't been able to deliver steady fantasy production lately. As long as the Bears continue to take a run-heavy approach with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, receivers like Moore will be difficult to trust in fantasy football.

John Metchie, 5.7 FPTS

Metchie handled four catches on eight targets on Sunday, but his modest 17 yards left him with a relatively underwhelming fantasy performance. The 25-year-old couldn't replicate his huge Week 12 showing, and instead, it was Adonai Mitchell who broke out this weekend. Metchie is a low-floor WR3/flex in his high-volume role ahead of Week 14 against Miami.

Tez Johnson, 1.5 FPTS

Johnson couldn't build on last week's double-digit fantasy performance this Sunday against the Cardinals. Instead, he had just one catch for five yards. The 23-year-old was out-produced in the passing game by Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Cade Otton. He's not a reliable fantasy starter for Week 14 against the Saints.

Brian Thomas Jr., 4.8 FPTS

Thomas had another quiet day, even after Parker Washington (hip) exited and was ruled out. The second-year receiver was out-produced by Jakobi Meyers and Brenton Strange. Thomas should be viewed as a low-floor WR3/flex against the Colts in Week 14. He's shaping up to be one of the biggest busts of the 2025 fantasy football season.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 4.3 FPTS

Smith-Njigba didn't catch his first pass until late in the third quarter on Sunday. This was the product of Seattle taking an early need and feeling no pressure to throw the football. This year's overall WR1 should bounce back as a top fantasy option in Week 14 against the Falcons.

Ricky Pearsall, 3.4 FPTS

Pearsall caught just two passes for 14 yards on Sunday afternoon. The 25-year-old has been held to two or fewer receptions in each of his last three games, despite playing more than 75 percent of the offensive snaps during that span. He's fourth in the pass-catching pecking order behind Jauan Jennings, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey. He can be benched in most fantasy leagues on the other side of his Week 14 bye.

Ricky Pearsall update since returning from injury:

2 REC, 14 YDS
2 REC, 6 YDS
1 REC, 0 YDS

Is he fully healthy?

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) November 30, 2025

DK Metcalf, 6.2 FPTS

Mectalf caught three passes for 32 yards on Sunday, and he has posted single-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games. He has been underwhelming in fantasy football despite operating as Aaron Rodgers' No. 1 wide receiver. He'll drop to the WR3/flex tier for Week 14 against the Ravens.

Michael Wilson, 6.6 FPTS

Wilson took a step back with Marvin Harrison Jr. returning to the lineup following a two-game absence. The 25-year-old turned in his worst fantasy outing since Week 5, but he still ranks as a top-48 receiver in PPR leagues this year. Unfortunately for Wilson and his managers, though, he'll get another tough matchup against the Rams in Week 14.

Calvin Austin III, 0.0 FPTS

Austin was held without a catch for the first time since last season. He has been incredibly underwhelming in fantasy football despite operating as the Steelers' No. 2 wide receiver behind DK Metcalf. He can be benched or dropped in all fantasy leagues ahead of Week 14 against the Ravens.

Rome Odunze, 2.8 FPTS

Odunze caught just two of his six targets for eight yards in the Bears' win over the Eagles. Chicago went run-heavy against Philly, leaving receivers like Odunze as somewhat of an afterthought. The 23-year-old is a low-floor, high-upside WR2 heading into Week 14 against the Packers.

Jaylen Waddle, 7.0 FPTS

Waddle caught three passes for 40 yards in the Dolphins' win over the Saints. Miami operated with reduced passing volume and instead relied on the rushing attack to defeat New Orleans. He'll rank as a fringe top-24 fantasy receiver for Week 14 against the Jets. In his last outing against New York, he had three catches and 48 receiving yards.

Zay Flowers, 1.6 FPTS

Flowers caught just two of his seven targets on Thanksgiving Day, and he lost a fumble along the way. He also had a long touchdown catch called back due to a questionable offensive pass interference call. The 25-year-old had posted double-digit fantasy points in his five previous games, so he should bounce back as a high-end WR2 in Week 14 against Pittsburgh.

Bengals force a 5th turnover!

CINvsBAL on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/qifbD3nEdV

— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2025

Khalil Shakir, 1.5 FPTS

Shakir had just one catch for five yards, and he also dropped a pass near the goal line that likely would have resulted in a touchdown. He has been quite inconsistent this year, but his role in a high-powered Bills offense should keep him in the WR3/flex tier for Week 14 against Cincinnati.

Michael Pittman Jr., 2.3 FPTS

Pittman was targeted four times on Sunday, but he had just one catch for 13 yards. Alec Pierce stole the show, and even Josh Downs was more productive than Pittman. The 28-year-old has two duds over his last three games, but he's still a top-12 receiver in PPR scoring this season. He should bounce back as a low-end WR1 or high-end WR2 against the Jaguars in Week 14.

Chimere Dike, 0.9 FPTS

Dike's recent success came to a screeching halt on Sunday afternoon, as he caught just one of four targets and also fumbled on a punt return. The rookie remains Cameron Ward's top wide receiver, but that's not exactly saying a whole lot, given how poor Tennessee's offense has been this year. Dike is a low-end WR3/flex for Week 14 against Cleveland.

Justin Jefferson, 2.4 FPTS

Jefferson caught just two passes for four yards on Sunday, and he also deflected a pass that was snagged by a Seahawks defender for an interception. The superstar receiver was unable to get on the same page as rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, who was picked off four times in his NFL debut. As much as J.J. McCarthy (concussion) has struggled this season, he's probably Jefferson's best shot at returning to the WR1 tier.

Troy Franklin, 4.1 FPTS

Franklin was held to just two catches for 21 yards in the Broncos' narrow overtime victory over the Commanders. He was out-produced by both Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryant, which could indicate that the Broncos will continue to have an inconsistent distribution of targets going forward. Franklin remains a strong WR3/flex against Vegas, but he'll still be competing for targets with Sutton, Bryant, and Evan Engram.

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

Dallas Goedert, 4.7 FPTS

A.J. Brown was responsible for the bulk of Philadelphia's receiving yards on Friday, leaving pass-catchers like Goedert with disappointing fantasy performances. The 30-year-old is a talented tight end, but the state of Philadelphia's offense has left him with fewer than 5.0 fantasy points in each of his last three games. He's a risky TE1 option for the time being.

Oronde Gadsden II, 3.7 FPTS

Gadsden was held to just one catch for 27 yards on Sunday. After an impressive midseason explosion, the rookie has come back down to earth with fewer than 6.5 fantasy points in each of his last three games. He'll rank outside the top 12 fantasy tight ends going forward, especially if Justin Herbert (hand) misses time.

Justin Herbert Suffers Fractured Hand in Week 13, Will Have Surgery https://t.co/Dl67D1yOmN

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 1, 2025

Cade Otton, 2.9 FPTS

Otton had just two catches for nine yards on Sunday. He was only targeted twice, as Baker Mayfield preferred throwing to wide receivers Godwin and Egbuka. The 26-year-old tight end should be benched in all fantasy leagues as long as two of Tampa Bay's top three receivers (Egbuka, Godwin, and Mike Evans) are healthy.

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