RADIO
The opening Sunday of the 2024 NFL season has come and gone. Hopefully, you woke up on Monday morning feeling very good about how your first matchup of the year 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 1. These players simply did not meet fantasy expectations coming out of the draft, and it cost their managers in a big way.
Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 1, 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.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals - 9.7 FPTS
Burrow didn't seem to have many answers for the Patriots. In his defense, though, Tee Higgins (hamstring) was sidelined and Ja'Marr Chase (personal) was on a snap count. Burrow is still a fantasy QB1 heading into next week's potential shootout versus Kansas City.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears - 8.2 FPTS
The Bears won, but most of the credit goes to their defense. Williams was somewhat iffy, completing just 48.3 percent of his passes for 93 yards. He also rushed for 15 yards and took two sacks. He's only worth starting in two-quarterback leagues ahead of next week's game in Houston.
Caleb Williams getting praised in the Media for his 93 yards and 0 TD’s.
pic.twitter.com/Ldond7Y370— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) September 8, 2024
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons - 9.8 FPTS
Cousins couldn't get the victory in his Falcons debut. One of the only positives on offense for Atlanta was Kyle Pitts finding the end zone. The veteran signal-caller could fare better against a suspect Eagles secondary next week, but he's still not worth starting in one-quarterback formats.
Fantasy Football Running Back Busts
D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears - 5.0 FPTS
Swift rushed for just 30 yards and failed to haul in his only target. In his defense, the Titans have a quietly strong front. He'll rank as a low-end RB2 heading into Week 2 versus Houston.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 1.4 FPTS
The Panthers looked abysmal on Sunday, and as a result, they had to pass for most of the game. As long as Carolina continues to play from behind, it'll be hard for Hubbard to carve out a significant role in the rushing attack. He's merely an RB3/FLEX going forward.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins - 3.9 FPTS
The Dolphins eked out a victory on Sunday, but their offense ran through Tyreek Hill, De'Von Achane, and Jaylen Waddle. Mostert was also far less efficient than Jeff Wilson Jr. Miami isn't afraid to ride the hot hand, but we also can't ignore Mostert's strong 2023 campaign. He's still a solid RB3 option next week.
#Dolphins Week 1 RB Usage
- De'Von Achane: 54% snaps, 10 carries, 22 routes, 7 targets (100 yds, TD)
- Raheem Mostert: 43% snaps, 6 carries, 14 routes, 3 targets (19 yds)
- Jeff Wilsin: 15% snaps, 5 carries, 0 targets (26 yds)23 fantasy pts for Achane and he didn't run well
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 8, 2024
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders - 4.6 FPTS
White touched the ball 15 times but finished with just 46 scrimmage yards and a costly fumble. He was out-produced by Alexander Mattison in the passing game, which could be an indication of how the backfield will operate going forward. White will fall outside the top-24 fantasy running backs heading into Week 2 against Baltimore.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos - 3.3 FPTS
The whole Denver rushing attack was slowed down Sunday, but it's worth noting that Williams had fewer carries, fewer rushing yards, and less passing volume than Jaleel McLaughlin. It's too early to tell whether this backfield dynamic is here to stay, but that's certainly possible. Temper expectations and view Williams as a low-end RB3 against the Steelers next week.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions - 4.3 FPTS
St. Brown was a disappointment on Sunday, catching just three of six targets for 13 yards. We can't ignore the dominant performance of Jameson Williams, but we also can't panic about St. Brown yet. He's still a very strong WR1 option for Week 2 against the Buccaneers.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints - 3.1 FPTS
The Saints jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Their rushing attack was busy as they looked to kill the clock. As a result, Olave was somewhat of an afterthought, catching just two passes for 11 yards. He's still a WR2 against Dallas next week.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals - 1.4 FPTS
Harrison caught just one pass on Sunday, but he could've had a big play if Kyler Murray hadn't overlooked him. The rookie should be treated as a high-end WR3/FLEX option until he proves he deserves to be ranked higher.
this is shameless marvin harrison jr treatment, kyler murray you should be ashamed pic.twitter.com/2QZ8ZCk4Vw
— brett (@brettbhill) September 8, 2024
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons - 3.5 FPTS
Optimism about London's production with Kirk Cousins was squashed this week as he caught just two passes. This doesn't mean we should give up on London just yet, but managers should certainly temper expectations going forward. He's a high-end WR3 heading into Week 2.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns - 3.6 FPTS
The Browns couldn't get much going against a strong Cowboys defense. Cooper was targeted nine times, but he caught just two passes for 16 yards. He should bounce back as a low-end WR2 next week against the Jaguars, and his value could rise even further if David Njoku (ankle) is forced to miss time.
Fantasy Football Tight End Busts
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens - 3.4 FPTS
Managers with Andrews on their roster were heartbroken as the tight end caught just two passes for 14 yards. Equally painful was the big game from Isaiah Likely. Andrews is still the Ravens' No. 1 tight end going forward, but Likely is going to be very involved.
Trey McBride : 8 points
Dalton Kincaid : 2.1 points
Travis Kelce : 6.4 points
Mark Andrews : 3.4 pointsTotal : 19.9 points
Isaiah Likely : 26.1 points
I love fantasy football
— Mason Dodd (@MasonDoddFFN) September 8, 2024
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars - 1.5 FPTS
The Jaguars didn't throw the ball a lot on Sunday, leaving Engram with just one catch on four targets. There's no reason he can't bounce back as Engram remains a mid-to-low TE1 for Week 2.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills - 2.1 FPTS
The Buffalo Bills went run-heavy in their narrow victory over Arizona, which meant that pass-catchers like Kincaid suffered. He's still a low-end TE1 going forward.
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