Biggest Fantasy Football Busts of the Week - Fantasy Outlooks for Brock Purdy, RJ Harvey, Travis Etienne Jr., Courtland Sutton, Travis Kelce

January 5, 2026

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 18 of the 2025 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and whether they'll bounce back.

Most fantasy leagues don't play games in Week 18. However, fantasy managers who did have a matchup this past week likely endured plenty of stress when setting their lineups, evaluating potential rest scenarios, and adding players off the waiver wire.

Oftentimes, the best advice is to just "start your studs." However, that doesn't always work out. Fantasy football performances can fluctuate every week, and often, the best players don't meet expectations. Managers experienced this firsthand in Week 18, as many NFL players drastically underperformed. These "busts" put their managers at a disadvantage during the final week of the NFL regular season.

Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 18. 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. Additionally, players who rested due to their teams' playoff standing are exempt.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts

Brock Purdy, 6.2 FPTS

The 49ers were held to just three points on Saturday, marking the lowest total in the Kyle Shanahan era. Purdy had 127 passing yards, 21 rushing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He also took three sacks. The former seventh-round pick will look to bounce back as a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback in 2026 drafts.

Red zone takeaway by Drake Thomas and the Seahawks!

SEAvsSF on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/eEOrqbxdpn

— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026

Sam Darnold, 7.8 FPTS

Darnold led the Seahawks to victory over the 49ers, but he had a modest performance with 198 passing yards, nine rushing yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He'll now look to lead Seattle deep into the playoffs as the NFC's No. 1 seed.

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

RJ Harvey, 4.3 FPTS

Harvey was held to just 28 rushing yards on 15 carries against the Chargers, and he added a five-yard catch along the way. The rookie had his worst outing since Week 10, as well as his first single-digit performance since Week 11. He's the running back of the future in Denver, and he should be a strong fantasy RB2 for 2026.

D'Andre Swift, 5.8 FPTS

Both Swift and Kyle Monangai finished with fewer than six fantasy points on Sunday. The veteran running back had 40 rushing yards, plus an eight-yard catch. He'll rank as an RB3/flex in 2026 as he splits time with Monangai.

Travis Etienne Jr., 4.8 FPTS

Although the Jaguars dropped 41 points on Sunday, Etienne was only able to muster 32 rushing yards and six receiving yards. He should remain an RB2 in 2026, but we do expect Bhayshul Tuten to eat into his volume.

Rico Dowdle, 4.0 FPTS

Dowdle had just 10 rushing yards, as well as two catches for an additional 20 receiving yards. He fumbled, too. Carolina lost to the Buccaneers but still backed into the playoffs. Dowdle's efficiency has gone way downhill since his mid-season breakout, and he's not a reliable option heading into Wild Card Weekend against the Rams.

FUMBLE! The @Buccaneers jump on the loose ball 😤

CARvsTB on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/T7Pln5ymPn

— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2026

Kimani Vidal, 2.0 FPTS

Even with Omarion Hampton (ankle) sidelined, Vidal mustered just three carries, 12 rushing yards, one catch, and negative two receiving yards. He has no fantasy appeal heading into the 2026 season.

Bijan Robinson, 7.3 FPTS

Robinson was bottled up by the Saints, totaling just 33 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards, and zero touchdowns. This was his worst fantasy outing since Week 8. He's still an elite running back and is worth drafting as the overall RB1 in 2026 fantasy drafts.

Jonathan Taylor, 5.9 FPTS

Taylor had just 26 rushing yards and 13 receiving yards as the Riley Leonard-led Colts fell to the Texans. Taylor had been an MVP candidate earlier this year, but that fell apart after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. The 26-year-old should be a top-five fantasy running back if the Colts get quarterback clarity over the offseason.

Jaylen Wright, 5.0 FPTS

Wright stepped into the lead-back role against New England, but he was only able to muster 23 rushing yards and 17 receiving yards. He's an appealing handcuff for 2026, but there's no question that Miami's backfield belongs to De'Von Achane (shoulder).

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

Mike Evans, 5.4 FPTS

The rain slowed down Tampa's passing attack on Saturday as Evans caught just two passes for 34 yards. He turned in his worst fully-healthy fantasy performance since Week 6 in 2024. The veteran pass catcher should bounce back as a low-end WR1 if he can stay healthy next season.

Chris Godwin Jr., 1.8 FPTS

Godwin caught just one pass for eight yards on Saturday. Interestingly, he also commanded just one target. This was his lowest target total since Week 12 (four). Tampa Bay has been eliminated from playoff contention, but the recently extended Godwin should remain a high-end WR3 with upside for 2026 fantasy drafts.

Courtland Sutton, 1.5 FPTS

Sutton caught one of his two targets for five yards against the Chargers. He was inconsistent this season but still finished as a top-12 fantasy receiver. He should be a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside in 2026 drafts.

DJ Moore, 2.1 FPTS

Moore had an underwhelming performance, despite Rome Odunze (foot) missing yet another game. The veteran receiver has just one catch in each of his last two contests, ceding valuable opportunities to Luther Burden III and Jahdae Walker. He'll look to get back on track in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against Green Bay.

Adonai Mitchell, 0.0 FPTS

Mitchell was held without a catch on three targets during the Jets' loss to the Bills. This was his first game without a catch as a member of the Jets. New York will presumably look to strengthen its receiver room this offseason, and Garrett Wilson (knee) is due back from injury. As a result, Mitchell's future role remains uncertain.

The Jets point differential in their last five games was -134.

That's absolutely insane.

How can you bring Aaron Glenn back?

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) January 5, 2026

Michael Pittman Jr., 3.1 FPTS

Pittman was less productive than Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, catching just two passes for 11 yards. He has been held to single-digit fantasy points in four consecutive games, suffering from the shift from Jones to Philip Rivers and Leonard. He's still an appealing WR2 for 2026 fantasy drafts.

Chimere Dike, 5.7 FPTS

Dike was held to single-digit points for just the second time in the last five weeks. He finishes his rookie campaign with four touchdowns and could ascend into a more consistent role next season. He's a low-end WR3/flex with WR2 upside.

Jordan Addison, 1.8 FPTS

Addison caught just one pass for eight yards, turning in his worst fantasy performance since he was blanked in Week 12. The USC product took a step back in 2025, finishing outside the top 24 fantasy receivers for the first time in his three-year career.

Deebo Samuel Sr., 4.1 FPTS

Samuel was held to just two catches for 20 yards on Sunday, and he also added one rushing yard. The 29-year-old had his worst fantasy performance, but the Commanders held on to win under the guidance of veteran quarterback Josh Johnson. Samuel will be a high-end WR3 with WR2 upside in 2026 fantasy drafts.

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

Travis Kelce, 4.2 FPTS

In what could have been the final game of his career, Kelce caught three of his six targets for a total of 12 yards. He posted single-digit fantasy points in each of his last three games with Patrick Mahomes (knee) sidelined, but he still managed to finish as the overall TE3 in scoring this year.

Travis Kelce walking off the field for the last time this season ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/fH5Djp0KpQ

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2026

AJ Barner, 3.4 FPTS

Barner had scored one touchdown and at least 13 fantasy points in back-to-back games ahead of Week 18, so it was underwhelming to see him log just two catches for 14 yards on Saturday. He finished the year as an inconsistent option at the tight end position.

Chig Okonkwo, 2.2 FPTS

Okonkwo had two catches for two yards, turning in his worst fantasy performance since Week 7. He also saw his two-game touchdown streak come to an end. The 26-year-old hasn't produced consistently enough to justify pursuing him in 2026 fantasy drafts.

Mark Andrews, 3.4 FPTS

Andrews had two catches for 14 yards, turning in his worst fantasy performance since Week 14 (also against Pittsburgh). He was out-produced by Isaiah Likely and ultimately finished as the overall TE16 in fantasy scoring this year.

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