TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Fantasy Wasteland - Five NFL Offenses to Avoid in 2016

Sometimes it's best to just say "no." Well, at least "probably not." You should never go into a fantasy draft with a list of players that you absolutely, under no circumstances, would consider drafting. Every player has value at a certain point and, as Herm Edwards told us back in 2002, you play to win the game!

With that being said, there are a handful of NFL teams that you should try to avoid this season. Earlier this week I looked at the top five offenses to target in fantasy drafts. Now I've identified five teams I'll be avoiding in fantasy drafts, along with individual players currently being selected in 15-round standard drafts.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has the best Premium NFL Subscription for only $1.99 per week. We have all the preseason tools to help win your drafts, and in-season tools to win your seasonal and daily leagues: Draft Kit, Premium Rankings, ADP Sleepers Tool, Matchup Ratings for every player, Daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids. 

Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 is back with a massive $100,000 grand prize and $203,250 total prize pool, paying down to 100th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 8 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 17th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $100,000! Sign Up Now!

 

Fantasy Football Offenses to Avoid

San Francisco 49ers

RB Carlos Hyde (4.02), WR Torrey Smith (10.02)

Oh boy, this is ugly. The 49ers had virtually no fantasy relevant standouts last season, and based upon these average draft results, the fantasy world doesn't expect that to change in 2016. Hyde is being drafted as a lower-end RB2, which seems about right for him. Smith, a No. 1 receiver in title only, is currently being drafted as the 45th wideout off the board on average.

Is it possible that one of San Francisco's quarterbacks, either Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick, ends up as a decent QB2? Is it possible that Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, Vance McDonald, or any of the 49ers' other young pass-catchers has a breakout season? Yes and yes, but I'm not betting on either of those. As it currently stands, the 49ers have the most hopeless fantasy situation and looks to be bound for a top pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

Los Angeles Rams

RB Todd Gurley (1.04), WR Tavon Austin (10.09), D/ST (12.07)

Just to clarify -- this is not an indictment on Gurley, who is a stud and should be drafted with confidence in the first round of every fantasy draft. Of course, the Rams' fantasy appeal plummets quickly once you get past Gurley. The supremely-talented Austin has a skill set in the mold of Percy Harvin, but he has become a perpetual underachiever. Perhaps the arrival of No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff will help him, but he's being drafted even lower than Smith (48th among WRs).

Los Angeles does boast a top-10 defense/special teams, anchored by arguably the most talented defensive line in the NFL. The potential for 50 sacks, combined with Austin's return ability, makes this unit a viable option. Outside of Gurley and the D/ST, however, there's little to get excited about in the city of angels in 2016.

Cleveland Browns

RB Duke Johnson (7.01), TE Gary Barnidge (8.06), RB Isaiah Crowell (8.12), WR Corey Coleman (10.06), WR Josh Gordon (11.11), QB Robert Griffin III (14.11)

The Browns have more players being drafted than either the 49ers or Rams, but they aren't coming until later in drafts. Johnson is Cleveland's top-drafted player and he's lasting until the seventh round on average (RB3 range). He has considerably more value in PPR leagues. Barnidge, a major regression candidate, is being drafted as a top-10 tight end, which speaks to the weakness of the position.

Cleveland's two highest-upside players are at receiver -- Coleman and Gordon. Coleman, the No. 15 overall pick in April's draft, enters training camp as Cleveland's de facto No. 1 receiver. Gordon, who is three years removed from a league-leading 1,646 receiving yards, is still seeking reinstatement. Griffin is another wild card, but not one worth taking until the final non Kicker/Defense pick in fantasy drafts.

Philadelphia Eagles

RB Ryan Mathews (5.09), WR Jordan Matthews (6.07), TE Zach Ertz (10.09), RB Wendell Smallwood (13.06), RB Darren Sproles (13.11), WR Nelson Agholor (14.04), D/ST (14.09)

Like the Browns, the Eagles have a decent number of players being drafted, but none stand out as elite options. Mathews, the presumptive starter at running back, is being drafted in the RB3 range. Matthews and Ertz are going 30th and 12th among wide receivers and tight ends, respectively.

Smallwood and Sproles both going in the 13th round speaks to the uncertainty surrounding the Eagles' backfield. Agholor is talented, but with a new coaching staff and an average quarterback in Sam Bradford, his upside appears limited.

Tennessee Titans

RB DeMarco Murray (4.06), TE Delanie Walker (7.03), RB Derrick Henry (9.04), WR Dorial Green-Beckham (9.10), QB Marcus Mariota (12.01), WR Rishard Matthews (14.05), WR Kendall Wright (14.08)

This was a tough call for the fifth and final spot between Tennessee and Miami, but ultimately the Titans got the nod. Walker, who is coming off a 94-catch, 1,088-yard season, is a stud and deserves to be drafted as a TE1. The rest of Tennessee's draft-worthy players are either too risky, too unproven, or both.

Murray is just two years removed from a league-leading 1,845 rushing yards, but last season destroyed his stock. He's being drafted as a low-end RB2, which seems about right, although Henry could steal carries. Green-Beckham and Mariota could take big steps forward in their sophomore seasons. "Could" seems to be the word of choice in describing the Titans' fantasy options. They could be great, or they could disappoint. There's too much uncertainty here to heavily invest in Tennessee players.

 

Honorable mention

Miami Dolphins: WR Jarvis Landry (4.04), RB Jay Ajayi (5.03), WR DeVante Parker (6.11), QB Ryan Tannehill (13.05), TE Jordan Cameron (13.09), D/ST (14.07), RB Kenyan Drake (14.09)

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




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

Tyler Herro

Not Traveling with Team
Jaxson Hayes

Returning on Sunday
Deandre Ayton

Active on Sunday
Patrick Williams

Won't Face the Nets
Tari Eason

to Miss Fifth Straight Game
Josh Giddey

Ruled Out on Sunday
Darius Garland

Diagnosed with a Great Toe Sprain
Carson Soucy

Expected Back on Monday
Teuvo Teravainen

to Remain Out Monday
Matthew Tkachuk

"Close" to Season Debut
Rodrigo Abols

Flyers Place Rodrigo Abols on Injured Reserve
Alex Lyon

Practices on Sunday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Josh Norris

Out Week-to-Week
Dylan Holloway

Set to Return Sunday
Ha-Seong Kim

has Finger Surgery, Out 4-5 Months
Rhamondre Stevenson

Questionable to Return on Sunday With Eye Injury
Woody Marks

Returns Following Brief Exit on Sunday
Dalton Schultz

Won't Return in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Aaron Rodgers Returning in 2026?
Kawhi Leonard

to Miss Final Two Games of Road Trip
Jarrett Stidham

to Start AFC Championship Game
Zach Charbonnet

Questionable to Return Against 49ers
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Hiring Kevin Stefanski as Head Coach
Jalen Williams

Ruled Out for Remainder of Meeting with Miami
Naz Reid

Won't Return on Saturday Night
Bo Nix

Suffers Broken Bone in Ankle, Done for Playoffs
Jalen Suggs

Out on Sunday Against Grizzlies
Santi Aldama

Questionable for Sunday's Matchup
Ja Morant

Listed as Probable for Sunday
Tari Eason

Listed as Questionable for Sunday
Herbert Jones

Ruled Out for Sunday
Rudy Gobert

Won't Play Saturday
Paul Reed

Available Saturday
Stephon Castle

is Available on Saturday
Ausar Thompson

Good to Go Against Pacers
Cade Cunningham

Cleared for Saturday's Action
Ziaire Williams

Still Out Sunday
Green Bay Packers

Packers Sign Head Coach Matt LaFleur to Multi-Year Extension
Ricky Pearsall

Active for Divisional Round
Sam Darnold

Officially Active for Saturday's Divisional Round Game vs. 49ers
William Carrier

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
Shayne Gostisbehere

Remains Out Saturday
Jake Evans

Available Saturday
Teuvo Teravainen

Misses Second Straight Game
William Nylander

Out Against Jets
Pat Bryant

Won't Return on Saturday, Ruled Out with a Concussion
Tom Wilson

Could Be an Option Saturday
Leo Carlsson

Out for 3-5 Weeks After Thigh Procedure
Leon Draisaitl

Takes Leave of Absence
New York Giants

John Harbaugh, Giants Finalize Five-Year Deal
Aaron Rodgers

Not Expected to Return to Steelers in 2026
Atlanta Falcons

Kevin Stefanski the Favorite for Falcons Head-Coaching Job
Matt Boldy

Placed on Injured Reserve
Ross Colton

Good to Go Friday
Will Smith

Returns Against Red Wings
Shayne Gostisbehere

Out Friday
Brad Marchand

Remains Out Friday
Joel Armia

Returns From Five-Game Absence
CFB

Darian Mensah Entering Transfer Portal
Sam Darnold

Seahawks "Optimistic" That Sam Darnold Will Play on Saturday
Nico Collins

Officially Ruled Out for Divisional Round
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Divisional Round
J.T. Realmuto

Signs Three-Year Deal to Return to Phillies
Bo Bichette

Agrees to Three-Year Contract With Mets
CFB

Weber State Signs former Ohio State, Cal Quarterback Devin Brown
Bo Bichette

Phillies the "Overwhelming" Favorite to Sign Bo Bichette
Josh Lowe

Angels Acquire Josh Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Kyle Tucker

Signs Four-Year Contract With Dodgers
Ricky Pearsall

Questionable to Play on Saturday Night
Sam Darnold

Questionable With Oblique Injury, Expected to Play
Clayton Kershaw

to Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
CFB

Auburn, Ohio State the Lead Suitors for Kyle Parker
CFB

Oregon QB Transfer Bryson Beaver Linked to Georgia, Kentucky
CFB

Jake Merklinger Commits to UConn
Ben Griffin

Looks To Stay Hot In 2026
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Agrees to Five-Year Deal With Red Sox
CFB

Dante Moore Not Entering 2026 NFL Draft, Will Return to Oregon
CFB

FBS Coaches Unanimously Vote to Expand Redshirt Eligibility to Nine Games
CFB

Ohio State Transfer Mylan Graham Signs with Notre Dame
CFB

Caden Durham Withdraws from Transfer Portal, Will Stay at LSU
Jordan Spieth

Perhaps the Most Intriguing Player at Sony Open
Aaron Rai

Looking For Putting Confidence at Waialae Country Club
Collin Morikawa

Isn't The Safe Play He Used to Be Ahead of Sony Open
Kurt Kitayama

Needs His Putting to Turn Around For Success at Year's First Event
Ryan Weathers

Yankees Add Rotation Depth, Acquire Ryan Weathers in Four-Player Deal
CFB

Georgia Tech the Favorite to Land Justice Haynes?
Nolan Arenado

Cardinals Trade Nolan Arenado to Diamondbacks
Tom Kim

Desperately Needs a Solid Week at Sony Open
Billy Horschel

Hoping For a Fast Start to New Season at Sony Open
Corey Conners

Looks to Have a Return to Form in 2026
PGA

Chris Gotterup a Decent Play at Sony Open
Gary Woodland

Could Prosper at the Sony Open
Keith Mitchell

Unlikely to Contend at Sony Open
Robert MacIntyre

Looking for a Good Performance at the Sony Open
Michael Kim

Hopes to Start Sony Open Better This Week
Tom Hoge

Tries to Erase Poor 2025 Second Half in Hawaii
Brian Harman

Seeks Fresh Start in Hawaii
Eric Cole

Looks to Last Year for Success at Sony Open
Daniel Berger

Starts Off 2026 at Sony Open

RANKINGS

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