Popular Fantasy Football Bust Candidates Who Will Exceed Expectations

Despite the skepticism surrounding Tee Higgins and the belief that he might be a bust again this season, he should remain a compelling draft choice in fantasy football for all managers. Higgins faced significant hurdles last year that hampered his performance, leading many to question his potential for a rebound. Last season, Higgins was drafted as a top WR2 option, but he underperformed severely as he recorded just 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns while battling injuries. This was a clear outlier season for Higgins as he has nearly reached 1,000 yards in his first three seasons in the NFL up until last year where he only played 12 games.

However, the combination of a full offseason to recover and the strong motivation to redeem himself sets the stage for a remarkable comeback. His talent and previous success, paired with a renewed focus, suggest that Higgins is well-positioned to defy the doubters and return to form. An appealing factor to Higgins is how the Bengals and himself have been debating contract talks for some time now, which means Higgins will be going into the 2024 season with a chip on his shoulder as he believes he should be worth a big pay upgrade whether it's with the Bengals or not.

Adding to Higgins' appeal is the opportunity within the Bengals offense. With star quarterback Joe Burrow back to full health and the departure of Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon, Higgins is likely to benefit from less attention. He also could see more targets and favorable matchups in 2024. There has also been recent conversation that star wide out Ja'Marr Chase could miss time if he doesn't reach an extension with Cincinnati. If this were to be the case, Higgins would instantly become a top twelve fantasy wideout.

The Bengals’ offensive scheme is designed to maximize the strengths of their wide receivers, and Higgins' ability to make big plays downfield will be crucial. Drafting Higgins now, despite the negative buzz, could turn out to be a savvy move, as he has the potential to shake off last year’s struggles and deliver the kind of impactful performance that fantasy managers crave.

That @JoeyB ➡️ @teehiggins5 connection 🤌

Training Camp | @KetteringHealth pic.twitter.com/Smk71r69OZ

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 20, 2024

Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Christian Kirk is poised to be an excellent draft selection in fantasy football, despite the prevailing concerns that he may be a bust. The departure of Calvin Ridley from Jacksonville opens up a significant void in the receiving corps, and Kirk is primed to seize this opportunity.

With Ridley out of the receiver room, this will open 136 more targets for Trevor Lawrence to spend on Kirk. In 2024, Kirk demonstrated his ability to be a reliable and dynamic playmaker, and with Ridley’s exit, he is set to become one of the top targets for quarterback Lawrence. Kirk played in just 12 games last season where he caught 787 yards but only had three touchdowns. The touchdown number is a little concerning, but I would imagine that number will increase in Year 3 with the Jaguars.

Additionally, Kirk's familiarity with the Jaguars' offensive system and his rapport with Lawrence further bolster his potential for a breakout season. The absence of Ridley not only increases Kirk’s target share but also means he will likely see more favorable matchups against opposing defenses. This potential increased role within the offense provides a clear path for Kirk to enhance his production and justify his draft position. The Jaguars did go out and grab former Buffalo Bills wideout Gabe Davis, but he shouldn't take away too many receptions.

Don’t let the injury fool you from 2023. Christian Kirk has TOP 15 WR upside in PPR fantasy football 🏈 📈

🔹Clear WR1 for his team in 2024
🔹20%+ target share
🔹Calvin Ridley is no longer on the team
🔹WR12 overall in 22’ averaging 14.2 FPPG - 9 games with 15+ points that SZN pic.twitter.com/jQZSjkWcB0

— PPRFantasyTips (@PPRFantasyTips) July 17, 2024

Kirk's versatility and skill set make him a strong candidate to take on a larger workload and capitalize on the opportunity. As a result, despite the concerns, drafting Kirk could yield significant rewards, as he is well-positioned to step into a prominent role and deliver substantial fantasy points. If I were to project Kirk's 2024 season, I would guess it would be much similar to his 2022 season where he had 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. Don't sleep on Jacksonville's No. 1 receiving option.

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

The Justin Herbert hate has gotten out of control. Projected as the QB18 this season on most listings, this comes in as a shocker, but I do understand the concerns that he might be a bust this season. Herbert is coming off his worst season yet in 2023 where he logged just 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 13 games played. It's his worst season by far. Herbert also lost his top receiver options in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler, which could make his life more difficult this year.

However, this shouldn't cause such a dramatic drop-off in Herbert's projected ADP. Once a top-5 quarterback option, he has now fallen to the double-digit rounds just off one season. For this year, the arrival of new head coach Jim Harbaugh introduces a fresh offensive philosophy that could unlock Herbert's full potential. Harbaugh breeds winners, it's that simple. Harbaugh’s track record of maximizing quarterback performance suggests that Herbert will benefit from innovative play-calling and a system designed to capitalize on his strengths. Despite the loss of key receivers Allen and Williams, the Chargers did go draft promising rookie Ladd McConkey.

The Chargers are likely to incorporate new, dynamic options into their passing game, providing Herbert with fresh targets and opportunities for big plays. His arm strength and accuracy make him well-suited to excel even with a revamped receiving corps. Herbert did suffer a plantar fascia injury earlier this month, but is on track to be ready by week one against the Raiders.

As the team adjusts to these changes, Herbert’s ability to elevate his game and leverage new weapons makes him a compelling choice for fantasy managers. Despite the uncertainty, drafting Herbert could yield substantial rewards, especially with the potential for a revitalized offense under Harbaugh’s leadership. His ability to adapt and thrive in changing circumstances underscores his value as a high-upside pick. For a quarterback who can easily throw 4,000 yards, I can assure you he exceeds QB16 expectations and should end the season back as a top-10 fantasy football quarterback.

"Justin Herbert is tracking to play against the Raiders in week one and he's expected to be ready..

He will be available for week one"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/gY9DqG90s8

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 20, 2024

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