🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - 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

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. 

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

 

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

Aaron Ekblad

Battling an Illness
Jake McCabe

Suffers Upper-Body Injury
Brayden Point

Makes Early Exit Versus Capitals
Nikita Kucherov

Hurt on Saturday
Xavier Worthy

Expected to Play in Week 12
Alvin Kamara

to Suit Up for Clash with Falcons
Kenneth Walker III

Should Be Active Vs. Titans
Chris Godwin

Bucs to Manage Chris Godwin's Workload in Week 12
Bucky Irving

Likely Back in Week 13
Joe Burrow

Trending Toward Playing on Thanksgiving
Nic Dowd

Out Against Lightning
Jake Evans

Good to Go Saturday
Gavin Brindley

to Sit Out at Least Two Games
Thomas Chabot

Available Against Sharks
Roman Josi

Returns From 12-Game Absence
Jake Walman

Out Saturday
Kawhi Leonard

Expected to Return on Sunday
J.T. Miller

Won't Play Against Mammoth
Brenton Strange

Activated Off Injured Reserve, Will Play vs. Arizona
Chris Godwin

Expected to Play in Week 12
Kawhi Leonard

Sidelined for Saturday's Game Against Hornets
Joe Burrow

Won't Be Activated This Week
Tre Mann

Dealing With Ankle Soreness
Jaden Ivey

Could Make Season Debut Soon
Tobias Harris

Listed as Questionable for Saturday
Aaron Gordon

Expected to Miss Time With Hamstring Injury
Matas Buzelis

Leaves Friday's Game Early With Ankle Issue
Gabriel Vilardi

Has Two Goals in Losing Effort
Jordan Staal

Provides Two Goals in Friday's Win
Matt Boldy

Amasses Three Points in Impressive Road Win
Filip Gustavsson

Shuts Out Penguins Friday
Josh Doan

Pots Two Goals Friday Night
Alex Tuch

Tallies Four Assists in Big Win
Vinnie Hinostroza

Suffers Serious Injury Friday
Aaron Gordon

Won't Return to NBA Cup Meeting with Houston
Travis Kelce

Open to Returning in 2026?
Onyeka Okongwu

Could Miss Matchup With Pelicans
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Headed for a Divorce Soon?
D'Angelo Russell

Ruled Out Against Pelicans
Trey Hendrickson

Ruled Out for Week 12
Tre Jones

Cleared to Play Friday with Planned Minutes Limit
Jaden McDaniels

Cleared to Face Phoenix
Coby White

Ruled Out for Friday's Game Against Miami
Jarrett Allen

Ruled Out on Friday
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Doubtful as Grizzlies Face Mavericks
Adolis García

Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
Jaylon Tyson

Returning Versus Indiana
Darius Garland

Cleared to Play on Friday, Expected to See Limited Action
Marvin Bagley III

to Miss Friday's Game Against Raptors
Auston Matthews

Doubtful for Saturday
Rashod Bateman

Ruled Out for Week 12
Alexandre Sarr

Ruled Out for a Second Straight Game
Roman Josi

Could Return Saturday
Samuel Honzek

Out for Six Months After Surgery
Chris Godwin

Officially Questionable for Week 12
Sion James

Expected to Play Through Groin Issue Saturday
Andrew Wiggins

Labeled as "Day-to-Day"
Jaylen Warren

Cleared From Injury Report Ahead of Week 12
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 12
Kenneth Walker III

Listed as Questionable for Week 12
Trey Benson

Ruled Out For Week 12
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Darius Slayton

Cleared to Return From Hamstring Injury in Week 12
Daniel Jones

"Good to Go" for Week 12
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC
Tagir Ulanbekov

Set To Open Up UFC Qatar Main Card
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated

RANKINGS

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