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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Biggest Busts of 2018 - Running Backs

With the 2018 fantasy football season at an end, Dom Petrillo analyzes the biggest busts at the running back (RB) position based on ADP and draft cost for the 2018 NFL year.

Running backs are the worst position to go bust in fantasy. Most likely, they cost you an early pick and busting on such a high draft pick usually leads to a long and dreadful season for your team.

Did you draft Le’Veon Bell at number one or two only to watch him sit at home all season? Did you draft Kareem Hunt in the first round, only to have the rug pulled out from under you before the fantasy playoffs? Are you or have you ever been a Leonard Fournette owner?

If you answered yes to any of these then you know the heartache and pain which can be felt by having a bust on your team. Let us take a look here at some of the biggest of these players at the running back position for 2018. Oh, and the diva himself, Le’Veon Bell, will not be listed here as he didn’t play. He belongs in a different category which I won't mention here as it is rather NSFW.

Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.

 

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

Although he only played in eight games and I don’t like putting a player on the bust list primarily due to injury, Fournette has earned his place this season. Not just because he finished as the RB40 despite being a first-round fantasy pick, but also because he probably did not have to miss as many games as he did. If you believe rumors around the Jaguars, Fournette missed many games in which anyone else could have played. Not to mention his missed game due to a suspension for fighting.

In the eight games he did suit up, he managed 15.1 points per game in PPR leagues, leading to my conclusion of looking at more than the numbers. Everyone loves the points per game number as the end-all-be-all and forget to look at the number of games played in. He had 133 rushes for 439 yards and five touchdowns in what was just as bad a season for the Jaguars as it was for Fournette.

Looking ahead to 2019, if Fournette can put the injuries behind him which have hampered him since high school and he decides to fully commit himself, he could have a good season and he could be a value at the end of the second round or early in the third round. But if you decide to take a chance on him earlier, you could be extremely disappointed that you passed up on other players with more upside. A player like Nick Chubb or Joe Mixon provides much more in the form of ceiling and floor than the unpredictable Fournette. And they won’t actually gain weight during the season. I mean who does that? Other than those of us watching on TV and eating junk food every Sunday.

 

David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals

Finishing as the ninth-ranked running back on the season might not seem like a bust year for David Johnson. When you look at the entirety of the season though, along with the fact he was drafted as a top-five back, the bust comes more into spectrum.

With the Cardinals being so bad this past season, it was likely you would have been better off avoiding all of the Arizona Cardinals possible. This went from Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen to Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson. 2018 started off with mediocre-at-best Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy doing everything in his power not to get David Johnson involved in the offense - a move which ultimately led to his firing.

With 940 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 258 carries, this was in fact a bad season for the running back. Just last year he was the consensus number one draft pick in many leagues coming off a 2016 season in which he totaled over 2,000 all-purpose yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns. A major contributor to this decline, one which should be short-lived with offensive-minded Kliff Kingsbury now in as head coach, was his lack of usage in the passing game. In his monster 2016, Johnson had 80 receptions for 879 yards on 120 targets out of the backfield. In 2018, these numbers fell to 476 yards on 50 receptions on only 76 targets. Having a talented pass catcher like Johnson and only giving him 76 targets over an entire 16-game season is not only embarrassing but clearly the major reason for his one-year hiatus from the top tier of running back rankings.

I do say one-year because the new coaching staff will use his to his fullest in 2019 if they want to stay in the desert. Even a bad team, and the Cardinals are just this, needs to use their best player. With all respect to the great Larry Fitz (I am glad he will be back for another season), his torch has passed to Johnson as the best on the team making it more than likely Johnson returns to that top tier.

 

Alex Collins, Baltimore Ravens

Something smells in the city of Baltimore and it is not the remnants of crabs after a mid-summer picnic on the Inner Harbor. It is the season put up by a lot of people's preseason darling, Alex Collins. Many fantasy players were taking the running back in the fourth or even third round in drafts, thinking he was going to have a miraculous season for the Ravens despite being cut by the Seahawks just a season prior and never being a solid NFL back. Well, this came back to bite those people hard. I am just glad I avoided the trap of taking him to high in my own leagues. Believe me, I made enough other mistakes. David Johnson and Carson Wentz, I am looking at you.

In 10 games before going on Injured Reserve, Collins amassed only 114 carries for 411 yards and seven touchdowns. He was unable to outdo Javorius Allen, Kenneth Dixon and eventually Gus Edwards to control the backfield. There is a good chance he will not be back in Baltimore in 2019 as the Ravens will likely head into the new season with Edwards and Dixon leading the way behind Lamar Jackson.

The time has passed for Collins to do anything in Baltimore. If he goes to another team, there is a chance of a solid season, but nothing to the level of what was expected from him in 2018. At this point, he is at best a fantasy RB3 and maybe a low-end RB2 in the right scenario.

 

LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills

Shady is getting old. He looked old in 2018 and despite being the only offensive weapon in Buffalo, he still could not do anything this season to help your fantasy team.

161 rushes for 514 yards and three touchdowns is not even good for a committee back, let alone for a player who is supposed to be one of the last bell cow backs in the NFL. Add to this the surprising running ability of Josh Allen and the end looks to be near for McCoy. The Bills have a ton of cap space to play with and you can expect them to spend some of it on a younger running back which more fits their future.

Buffalo says they want to keep McCoy for another season, but at $9 million, why would they? Even if the price was not a deterrent for the team, the 3.2 yards per carry average from this season should be, as it is a full yard lower than his career average of 4.5 and the injuries seem to be catching up to him as he only played in 14 games.

Look for the Bills to make a run at a running back like Tevin Coleman or T.J. Yeldon, making McCoy at best a fantasy RB3, which is only slightly higher than he finished this past season when he finished as the overall RB39 behind players like Jalen Richard and Latavius Murray.

More NFL Year-in-Review




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
ANA

Mikael Granlund Moves to Anaheim on Three-Year Deal
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
NJ

Jake Allen Signs Five-Year Extension With Devils
VAN

Brock Boeser Remains in Vancouver on Seven-Year Deal
Conor Garland

Signs New Six-Year Deal with Canucks
Thatcher Demko

Signs Three-Year Extension with Canucks
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary Agrees to Seven-Year Extension with Capitals
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
MLB

Brewers-Mets Postponed on Tuesday
MLB

Tigers-Nationals Postponed on Tuesday
Zach Neto

Returns to Tuesday's Lineup
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
MLB

Padres-Phillies Postponed on Tuesday
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Hunter Goodman

Back Behind the Dish on Tuesday
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Jason Day

is a Fine Play With Limited Upside at John Deere Classic
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Luke Clanton

Looks to Have Another Strong Week at TPC Deere Run
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schroder Set to Join Sacramento
Bo Bichette

Out Again on Tuesday
Trent Grisham

Likely Heading to Injured List
Boston Celtics

Luke Kornet Agrees to Contract With San Antonio
Jonas Valančiūnas

Nuggets Trade for Center Jonas Valanciunas
Royce Lewis

Twins Activate Royce Lewis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Signs Massive Extension With Oklahoma City
Corbin Carroll

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
New York Knicks

Knicks Pick Up Guerschon Yabusele
Yordan Alvarez

Could Return Early Next Week
NFL

Negotiations on 18-Game Season Not Expected Until Next Year
Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner Leaves Indiana, Signs With Milwaukee
Kerry Carpenter

Shelved with Hamstring Issue
Tyler Boyd

Steelers Have Talked With Tyler Boyd
Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard Waived By Milwaukee
Darren Waller

Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Dolphins
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
New York Knicks

Jordan Clarkson Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF