🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Eight Lineup Busts and Avoids for Wildcard Weekend

Top 10 potential lineup busts to avoid playing in fantasy football. Justin lists NFL players to consider keeping out of lineups for the NFL's Wildcard Weekend.

It's officially playoff time. As you set your daily fantasy lineups and figure out your rosters for any other playoff formats you're in, it becomes even more important to make the right decisions with such a limited pool of players to choose from.

Eight teams play this weekend, so for this week's column I'm going to be highlighting eight players who might be worth avoiding this week. I'm going to select one player per team, because that just feels like a logical thing to do.

Below are eight lineup busts and avoids for Wildcard Weekend of NFL action.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Top 8 Busts - NFL Wildcard Weekend

Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry, Running Back

DeMarco Murray is out this week, which means Derrick Henry will take the lead back role for the Titans. Henry has the ability to break off a big play or two, but I'm just not sold on him as an every down back yet. The Chiefs pass defense struggled during the regular season, but they were respectable against running backs, giving up the 13th-fewest points to opposing backs in 2017. This game has the looks of one where the passing attacks take center stage. Take out the 66-yard touchdown catch last week and Henry has been a complete non-factor in that phase of the game.

Kansas City Chiefs: Kareem Hunt, Running Back

For the record, I think this has the look of a game where Kansas City scores a lot, which means picking an offensive player to struggle is a little tough. I'm trying not to dig too deep with these picks this week though, so I'm not going to tell you to avoid playing Orson Charles. The Titans gave up the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game at 88.8, while their pass defense ranked just 25th in passing yards per game. For that reason, Alex Smith, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce are safe from this list, which leaves me with Hunt or one of the back-up wide receivers. I think Hunt's got a chance to perform well, especially if the Chiefs get an early lead, but there's also a good chance that Hunt looks like he did during the tough days of mid-season.

Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones, Wide Receiver

Jones is already banged-up. If he plays against the Rams, it's worth noting that he won't be at 100 percent. It's also worth noting that Jones is a top receiver but can be incredibly inconsistent at times. If we were still playing season-long fantasy, you wouldn't be sitting Jones. In daily? I think there's better bang for your buck and Jones could always end up struggling, especially if Matt Ryan continues to just be an "ehh, he's okay" guy. (By the way, I thought about putting Ryan in this place, but there are two quarterbacks still to come who deserve your mistrust more.)

Los Angeles Rams: Robert Woods, Wide Receiver

Woods was a big part of L.A.'s success earlier in the season, but he's taken a backseat since returning from a shoulder injury. He found the end zone against Seattle, but his yardage marks were down--he posted his two lowest totals in Weeks 15 and 16 since October 1. Todd Gurley is on a hot streak and is a big part of both the run game and the pass game for the Rams, which limits what Woods is able to do. Cooper Kupp has become a big part of the offense as well, though his status for Saturday's game is still in question. If he's out, Woods probably has enough value to see lineups, but if the Rams receiving corp is still crowded and losing touches to Gurley then Woods becomes a risky play.

Buffalo Bills: Tyrod Taylor, Quarterback

Of all the decisions that went into making this article, this was the easiest. The Jacksonville Jaguars have the best defense against fantasy quarterbacks. They're at home. Tyrod Taylor is far from a bad quarterback, but he's not an elite quarterback, and the Jaguars have made quarterbacks of Taylor's skill level look very, very pedestrian all season. That should continue in the playoffs. Taylor only threw for two touchdowns in December. That Buffalo is likely to be without running back LeSean McCoy could help Taylor as he's forced to throw more and scramble more, but it could also hurt him as the team finds itself in more third-and-long situations. Taylor is my least favorite option at quarterback this week.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles, Quarterback

In second on my list of least favorite quarterbacks this week? Bortles. The Bills defense gave up the seventh-fewest points to fantasy quarterbacks this season, a number that ranks as the third best mark among playoff teams. I know there's been all this talk about how Bortles has turned a corner. I get it, but Bortles also threw five interceptions over the past two weeks in losses to San Francisco and Tennessee. I'm normally not going to focus so much on such a small sample size, but I wonder if the real statistical blip was Bortles's streak of strong play. I'm avoiding Bortles this week.

Carolina Panthers: Greg Olsen, Tight End

I thought about Christian McCaffrey here, but I think his versatility makes him a good play. Greg Olsen is currently the second highest priced tight end on DraftKings, but he was only "good" for one of the four games he played in after finally returning from a foot injury, and that's not even including the Jets game where he clearly returned too early. I know Olsen has a long history of performing like a top tight end, but it's really, really hard to trust him at his current cost in a playoff game against the Saints. Olsen only hauled in one of his nine targets in Week 17. I'm just not sure about this.

New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram, Running Back

At one point this season, Ingram rushed for at least 75 yards in six consecutive games. He found the end zone in five of those. In the six games since that streak? Only one game with that many yards (85 against Carolina, which is obviously important to remember since he plays Carolina again this week) and three games in which Ingram didn't find the end zone. His yards-per-carry have been down the past two weeks and Alvin Kamara continues to assert himself as THE key piece of the New Orleans offense. Ingram is trending down at the exact wrong time.

 

More Wildcard Weekend Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Devin Booker

Won't Play Against OKC
Jordan Poole

Considered Questionable for Thursday
Maxi Kleber

Sidelined for Wednesday's Matchup With Spurs
Dakota Mermis

to Miss a Month
Jake Evans

to Miss Thursday's Matchup
Elias Pettersson

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
Nick Bjugstad

to Miss at Least Three Games
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Connor Hellebuyck

Returns to Practice
Pelle Larsson

Sidelined at Least One Week
John Carlson

Could Return Thursday
Andrei Kuzmenko

Sits as Healthy Scratch Wednesday
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Dereck Lively II

to Undergo Season-Ending Foot Surgery
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
Mike Evans

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night Game
Geno Smith

Unlikely to Play in Week 15
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

"Good to Go" for Week 15
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CeeDee Lamb

has "One or Two" Things Left to the Clear Concussion Protocol
Jayden Daniels

Commanders Not Shutting Down Jayden Daniels for the Year
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Carries Momentum and a Questionable Tag into TNF
Drake London

Won't Play on Thursday Night
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Practicing Coming Out of the Bye Week
Garrett Wilson

Practice Window Still Hasn't Opened
Breece Hall

Out on Wednesday With Knee Soreness
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Jayden Daniels

Ruled Out for Week 15
Cade Otton

Considered Doubtful for Thursday Night
Trey Benson

Will Not Be Activated in Week 15, Will Not Return in 2025
Mike Evans

has "Shown Everything he Needed to Show" to Return in Week 15
Nick Bjugstad

Injured Tuesday
Zach Ertz

Officially Placed on Injured Reserve
Frank Vatrano

Makes Early Exit Against Penguins
Colten Ellis

Enters Concussion Protocol
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Worried About George Pickens' Effort Level
Scott Wedgewood

Hurt During Shootout
Victor Hedman

Suffers New Injury Blow
Bobby McMann

Suspended for One Game
Jordan McLaughlin

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Maxi Kleber

Questionable Wednesday
Marcus Smart

Ready to Face Spurs Wednesday
Luguentz Dort

Returns From Three-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Caruso

Set to Return Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Available Wednesday
Isaiah Joe

Out for Third Consecutive Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Not Ready to Return Wednesday
Devin Booker

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Victor Wembanyama

Remains Out Wednesday
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Karl-Anthony Towns

Back in Action Against Toronto
Philip Rivers

has a "Very Real Chance" to Start in Week 15
Jason Zucker

Added to Injured Reserve
David Pastrnak

Set to Return Tuesday
Scott Wedgewood

Back Between the Pipes Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Lands on Injured Reserve
Jamal Shead

Available on Tuesday, Entering the Starting Lineup
Jordan Kyrou

Out Week-to-Week
Immanuel Quickley

Ruled Out on Tuesday Night
Thomas Harley

Returns to Stars Lineup Tuesday
Martin Necas

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Available Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Paolo Banchero

Remaining on a Minutes Limit Tuesday
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Dru Smith

Will Be Available Tuesday
Pelle Larsson

Will Be Available Against Orlando
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
DK Metcalf

"Moving in the Right Direction" for Week 15
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
Riley Leonard

Diagnosed With Grade 1 PCL Sprain
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
A.J. Brown

Continues Dominant Stretch With 100 Yards in Monday Night Loss
Saquon Barkley

Rips Off Long Touchdown Run in Monday Night Loss
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
CFB

Anthony Hill Jr. Declaring for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Ryan Walters a Candidate for Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Job?
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
CFB

Tennessee Fires Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
Jan Blachowicz

And Bogdan Guskov Fight To Majority Draw
CFB

Texas RB CJ Baxter Entering Transfer Portal
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte
Kyle Schwarber

Pirates Make Four-Year Offer to Kyle Schwarber
CFB

Mississippi State, Rice Accept Bowl Bids as 5-7 Teams
CFB

Auburn, Florida State, Baylor Among Teams to Decline Bowl Bids
CFB

Rob Aurich Set to Become Nebraska's Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Notre Dame Opting Out of Postseason Amid College Football Playoff Exclusion
CFB

Kendal Briles a Candidate for South Carolina Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

James Madison Playoff-Bound After Duke Wins ACC Title?
CFB

Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama on College Football Playoff Bubble
CFB

Brent Pry Could Return to Virginia Tech as Defensive Coordinator
Jose A. Ferrer

Mariners Acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals
Harry Ford

Traded to the Nationals
Cody Bellinger

Drawing Interest From the Phillies
MacKenzie Gore

Will the Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore?
Petr Yan

Looks To Reclaim Bantamweight Belt
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Fourth Title Defense
Joshua Van

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fifth Title Defense At UFC 323
Tatsuro Taira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Brandon Moreno

Searches For His Third Win In A Row
Payton Talbott

A Favorite At UFC 323
Henry Cejudo

Set For His Retirement Fight
Jan Blachowicz

Set To Open Up UFC 323 Main Card
Bogdan Guskov

Looks To Extend His Win Streak

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP