Biggest Fantasy Football Busts Of The Week - Fantasy Outlooks For Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, David Njoku, Kyler Murray, more

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 12 of the 2024 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and if they'll bounce back.

The 12th Sunday of the 2024 NFL season has come and gone. 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 Week 12. 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 Week 12, 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.

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

Jared Goff, 7.8 FPTS

Goff had his worst fantasy performance of the season, surrendering zero turnovers but also failing to score a touchdown. The Lions placed an emphasis on the run game Sunday, especially in the red zone. He should bounce back as a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback in Week 13.

Kyler Murray, 6.3 FPTS

Murray completed 24 of his 37 pass attempts but failed to register a touchdown in Sunday's loss. He's been difficult to figure out from a fantasy perspective but still has top-12 fantasy upside heading into Week 13 against Minnesota.

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

Javonte Williams, 2.4 FPTS

Williams rushed for a loss of two yards and only made up six yards as a receiver on Sunday afternoon. He has been an inconsistent option within a crowded backfield. Managers can justify benching him against the Browns in Week 13.

Jonathan Taylor, 3.5 FPTS

Taylor couldn't get anything going against the Lions' defensive line, rushing for 35 yards and failing to catch a pass. He gets a much softer and more favorable matchup against the Patriots next Sunday.

Anthony Richardson is terrible and it’s ruining Jonathan Taylor.

— Sollie Jr. (@dtpvirgo) November 24, 2024

Rhamondre Stevenson, 3.3 FPTS

Stevenson was held to just 13 rushing yards while failing to catch a pass on Sunday. He also delivered a successful two-point conversion. Next week's matchup against the Colts is enticing, but Stevenson still drops to the RB3/FLEX range going forward.

Austin Ekeler, 4.4 FPTS

Ekeler had a chance to deliver increased production after Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) left the game, but that didn't exactly happen. He finished with just 22 rushing yards and two receiving yards before he suffered a scary head injury with nine seconds left. He'd only be a dependable fantasy option in Week 13 if he plays and Robinson does not.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

Justin Jefferson, 4.7 FPTS

Jefferson was less productive than teammates Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor as he caught a season-low two passes for 27 yards. He'll return to the mid-to-low WR1 tier in Week 13 versus Arizona.

This quote from Justin Jefferson on Thursday proved itself today: https://t.co/8wKOFIQrTA

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 24, 2024

Deebo Samuel Sr., 3.1 FPTS

Samuel caught just one pass for 21 yards as he and Brandon Allen struggled to get on the same page Sunday. The 28-year-old is a strong candidate to bounce back against the Bills in Week 13, but only if Brock Purdy (shoulder) returns to the starting lineup.

Christian Watson, 0.4 FPTS

Watson rushed for four yards and failed to catch a pass Sunday. He's not a dependable fantasy option for Week 13 against the Dolphins.

Jayden Reed, 5.6 FPTS

Reed was targeted just three times on Sunday. He made the most of his limited opportunities but will still drop to the low-end WR3/FLEX tier in Week 13 against Miami.

Josh Downs, 5.7 FPTS

Downs did injure his shoulder on Sunday, but he's eligible for this list because he missed only a short amount of time and eventually returned to the game. Indianapolis' most productive receiver this year, Downs, was held in check by the Lions, catching just three of seven targets for 27 yards.

Darius Slayton, 0.0 FPTS

Slayton had his least productive game of the season, as he did not command a single target. He should be benched in most leagues as long as Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson stay healthy.

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

David Njoku, 3.9 FPTS

Njoku dropped a wide-open touchdown pass on Thursday night. While his reduced production can be blamed on the snowy, windy elements, it was still a disappointing outing from Jameis Winston's usually reliable tight end. He'll bounce back as a mid-range TE1 versus Denver, weather permitting.

DAVID NJOKU COULD NOT HANG ON 🤯

pic.twitter.com/h1wII7qZPY

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 22, 2024

Sam LaPorta, 4.9 FPTS

LaPorta caught just three passes for 19 yards in his return from injury on Sunday. He has been held to single-digit fantasy points in 70 percent of his games so far, as well as fewer than six in half of his games. He's a fringe top-12 option heading into Week 13.

Cade Otton, 4.0 FPTS

Otton's volume was scaled back as Mike Evans returned to the mix on Sunday. The Bucs' big lead and dependence on the rushing attack didn't help Otton, either. He caught just one pass versus New York and will rank as a fringe top-12 tight end heading into Week 13 against the Panthers.

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