Biggest Fantasy Football Busts Of The Week - Fantasy Outlooks For Jordan Love, J.K. Dobbins, A.J. Brown, Jalen McMillan, More

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Wild Card Weekend for fantasy football in January 2025. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and their outlooks going forward.

NFL Wild Card Weekend is nearly over, with five of the six first-round games having gone final. Hopefully, you woke up on Monday morning feeling very good about how your matchup went. However, this week's slate of games was certainly stress-inducing for many fantasy football managers.

Part of that stress was caused by a group of players who drastically underachieved in Wild Card Weekend. These players simply did not meet fantasy expectations this week and it cost their managers in a big way.

Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Wild Card Weekend and their outlooks 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.

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts

Justin Herbert, QB - LAC (10.1 FPTS)

10.1 fantasy points from the quarterback slot isn't necessarily devastating, but we still expected more from Herbert, who had seven passing touchdowns, one interception, and 97.8 fantasy points over his last three games alone.

Herbert threw more interceptions on Saturday (four) than throughout the entire 2024 regular season (three). Fantasy managers should keep the Oregon product outside their top 12 quarterback rankings for 2025 fantasy football.

justin herbert interceptions thrown, by year pic.twitter.com/ufwUFhwfiG

— Jay Cuda (@JayCuda) January 12, 2025

Jordan Love, QB - GB (5.6 FPTS)

Love was picked off three times on Sunday while failing to deliver a single touchdown strike through the air. This was the 26-year-old's worst performance of the year, but he should have no trouble bouncing back as a mid-range fantasy QB1 in the 2025 campaign.

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

J.K. Dobbins, RB - LAC (2.6 FPTS)

Herbert wasn't the only Charger to have a rough showing on Saturday. Dobbins rushed for just 26 yards on nine carries. He didn't catch a pass, nor did he score a touchdown. The veteran running back hits free agency in March, and he could find himself competing for a starting job or perhaps serving as the bridge to a rookie who eventually takes over.

Chargers RB JK Dobbins says he loves the team, the city, and the fan base. He hopes to return in 2025 with the team. pic.twitter.com/x0cPZxruKl

— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) January 12, 2025

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

A.J. Brown, WR - PHI (2.0 FPTS)

Brown had just one catch for 10 yards on Sunday, but that didn't stop the Eagles from securing a 22-10 win at home. He should bounce back as one of the top fantasy options when Philadelphia faces the winner of Vikings vs. Rams.

AJ Brown. Big book guy pic.twitter.com/rDIOy019KL

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 13, 2025

Marvin Mims Jr., WR - DEN (3.3 FPTS)

Mims had just 13 yards on Sunday, which was a major step back from his 154 yards, four touchdowns, and 52.3 fantasy points over the two previous games. Look for him to bounce back as a mid-range WR3 or WR4 when Denver returns to action next year.

Amari Cooper, WR - BUF (2.8 FPTS)

Cooper caught two passes for eight yards on Sunday, giving him just six receptions over his last four contests. The veteran remains on the fringe of the fantasy radar thanks to Buffalo's high-powered offense.

Quentin Johnston, WR - LAC (0.0 FPTS)

Johnston had another atrocious showing on Saturday as he failed to catch any of his five targets. Drops continue to be a major issue for the TCU product, who caught 55 of the 91 passes thrown his way in 2024. His price has arguably never been lower, but even at a discount, Johnston might not be worth pursuing in fantasy football.

Quentin Johnston whenever I put him in my entry 😭 pic.twitter.com/GFmu7ow5PY

— Sleeper Picks (@SleeperPicksHQ) January 11, 2025

Jalen McMillan, WR - TB (6.1 FPTS)

McMillan's five-game touchdown streak snapped Sunday as the rookie caught two passes for 41 yards. He seemed to be a touchdown machine at the end of the regular season, perhaps convincing Tampa Bay to keep him installed as their No. 2 receiver rather than re-signing Chris Godwin.

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

Pat Freiermuth, TE - PIT (4.5 FPTS)

Freiermuth caught three passes for just 15 yards on Sunday, delivering his worst performance since Week 11 (also against the Ravens). He was the overall TE9 in fantasy football this year, and he should be able to replicate that ranking in 2025.

TE Pat Freiermuth still believes in the #Steelers coaches and front office.

“We all have the utmost trust in coach T. as a leader, as a guy leading us. Utmost trust in Omar (Khan) and the front office and their vision. We just got to get it right.” pic.twitter.com/iGD915cWKZ

— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) January 12, 2025

Cade Otton, TE - TB (5.2 FPTS)

Otton totaled 32 yards on Sunday and was once again overlooked as Baker Mayfield preferred throwing to wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. The 25-year-old will still be a high-end fantasy TE2 when the Buccaneers return to game action in 2025.

Zach Ertz, TE - WAS (4.3 FPTS)

Ertz had just two catches for 23 yards on Sunday. It was a quieter playoff showing for Ertz, but the veteran football standout still had his best season since 2021, ranking as the overall TE7 this year. He'll look to remain a decent fantasy option as the Commanders advance through the NFC playoff bracket.

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