👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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

Top 10 Lineup Busts for Week 1

It's time! Football is here. You're setting your lineups and getting pumped up about your Week 1 matchups. You're looking over your lineup and thinking about how it has absolutely zero holes in it and you are going to be undefeated and all your starters are definitely must starts right now and always.

I'm going to be here all season to tell you to stop, wait, and take that one dude out of your lineup because he is actually going to be bad this week. There are obviously some players who are still must starts under all circumstances--if I tell you to bench David Johnson, you have my permission to send me mean Tweets about it--but sometimes y'all have to temper your expectations.

Below are 10 players who I'm not expecting huge things for in the opening game of the 2017 season. That doesn't necessarily mean bench them, but it means to be careful with placing too much trust in them.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Top 10 Busts - NFL Week 1

Leonard Fournette (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars)

If you believe that volume > anything else, go ahead and roll with Fournette against the Texans since he'll be receiving the bulk of the team's carries, but don't expect a breakout game in his first NFL contest. Houston's defense--and their front seven in particular--is stout. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney can stop opposing run games. Fournette's chances this week are dependent on how many carries he receives, because he's not going to be busting out any huge gains.

Joe Mixon (RB, Cincinnati Bengals)

Say it with me. Joe Mixon isn't actually starting for the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm sorry, but I don't know how anyone is trusting him right now.  Head coach Marvin Lewis is going to feed the ball to Jeremy Hill twenty-five times and then they'll throw a few dump off passes to Gio Bernard and Joe Mixon will barely see the field because MARVIN LEWIS. (In all seriousness, Mixon will likely get a handful of carries, but it won't be enough to justify a start.)

Melvin Gordon (RB, Los Angeles Chargers)

Just a warning--this list is heavy on Chargers players. Los Angeles is on the road against Denver. It's a tough match up for the Chargers against a Broncos team that should be among the top defenses in 2017. Like with Fournette, the volume should be there, but the production might not be. Gordon should be in your lineup for Week 1, but you shouldn't be too shocked if he puts up 60 yards and no scores.

Ty Montgomery (RB, Green Bay Packers)

The Packers have a tough game against the Seahawks. Ty Montgomery's usage in 2017 has a chance to be very, very unpredictable. I know Mike McCarthy has used the phrase "every down back" more times than I can count, but when has Green Bay's running game ever been a thing to rely on? Montgomery's receiving skills give him a decent floor, but he really seems like a player whose value this season will depend on who his opponent is--in easier games, Green Bay will give him the ball ten to fifteen times, but in the tougher match ups they'll likely abandon the run and take to the air.

Jordy Nelson (WR, Green Bay Packers)

But Justin, you literally just said the Packers will abandon the run game and throw the ball a lot this week. Yes, I just said that. And yes, that probably happens. But Jordy will likely be shadowed by Richard Sherman all game and the Packers other receivers--Davante Adams and Randall Cobb--will steal more targets than normal. Jordy is still the top receiver in one of the NFL's best offenses, but I'm not sure Jordy will perform up to where you drafted him.

T.Y. Hilton (WR, Indianapolis Colts)

I've got two words for you: Scott Tolzien. Two touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's started three games and played most of a fourth in his career. He threw for over 300 yards in one of those games, but he also threw three of those career interceptions. So...yeah, I like Hilton a lot once Andrew Luck gets back but I'm not really sure he's going to get the ball very much. There are bad quarterbacks who help their top receiver because they just funnel them the ball and then there are bad quarterbacks who hurt their receivers because they're unable to funnel them the ball. Tolzien is the latter.

Keenan Allen (WR, Los Angeles Chargers)

Another Charger! Same reasons apply as with Gordon, but let's add on to that the fact that Keenan Allen hasn't played an NFL game in a long time and we have no idea how his relationship with Rivers will look. I'm not willing to bet on Allen this week against a strong Broncos team. FLEX him if you like his upside--it's definitely there--but be aware that you're taking a risk.

Matthew Stafford (QB, Detroit Lions)

Stafford takes on a good Cardinals defense without last season's top receiver, Anquan Boldin. I think Stafford will be fine in 2017--especially as the season wears on and the team's WR3 spot settles down--but I'm looking the other way this week. There are better plays that you either have on your bench or can stream. Like...I don't know, maybe his opponent this week, Carson Palmer?

Philip Rivers (QB, Los Angeles Chargers)

I don't hate the Chargers! I know it looks that way since I've placed three of them on this list, but I'm just not feeling it against the Broncos. Could Philip Rivers have a serviceable day? Sure. But he wasn't great against Denver last season--in the Chargers road win against the Broncos, Rivers was efficient but only threw for 178 yards, and in their home loss he tossed three interceptions. I don't trust him this week.

Eric Ebron (TE, Detroit Lions)

I know people are high on Ebron this year, but I'm not buying it at this point. He's almost never been used in the red zone--pretty important for an NFL tight end--and the Cardinals defense in 2016 gave up less fantasy points to TEs than any other team. It's a recipe for Ebron to end up with three catches and about 35 yards.

 

More Player Outlooks




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

NFL

Jordyn Tyson to Hold Individual Workout on April 17
Brent Rooker

Exits Early on Thursday Due to Apparent Injury
NFL

No New Injury Issues for Francis Mauigoa
Travis Hunter

to be "Limited Participant" During Offseason Workouts
Carolina Panthers

Denzel Boston Visiting With Panthers on Thursday
Mark Andrews

Ready for More Opportunities in 2026
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Part of a Muddled Giants Backfield Heading into 2026
Chimere Dike

Fantasy Value Potentially Limited by What He Offers in Return Game
Chase Brown

an Important Name to Monitor on Day 1 of the NFL Draft
Bijan Robinson

Could Just Be Entering His Prime
Jameson Williams

Consistency the Key to a True Jameson Williams Breakout
Jarace Walker

May Exit Pacers Lineup Again Thursday
Aaron Nesmith

Out for Sixth Consecutive Game
T.J. McConnell

Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell Unavailable Thursday
Dru Smith

Iffy for Thursday
Norman Powell

Questionable Thursday
Sam Hauser

Could Miss Thursday's Game
Neemias Queta

Uncertain for Thursday
Zach Benson

Scores Twice in Comeback Victory
Logan Thompson

Shuts Out the Leafs
Zach Eflin

Undergoes Successful Elbow Surgery, Will Miss Remainder of 2026
Derrick White

Listed as Questionable for Thursday
Tre Johnson

Iffy for Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Iffy to Face Knicks
Bilal Coulibaly

Questionable Against Bulls
Gui Santos

Could Miss Another Game Thursday
Alexandre Sarr

Out Again Thursday
Al Horford

to Remain Out Thursday
Caleb Martin

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Kristaps Porzingis

Unavailable Against Lakers
Klay Thompson

Ruled Out Wednesday
Stephen Curry

Questionable for Thursday Night
Brandon Williams

to Miss Back-To-Back with Illness
LeBron James

Ready to Return Thursday
Daniel Gafford

Ruled Out Vs. Phoenix
J.K. Dobbins

Broncos Prioritized Re-Signing J.K. Dobbins
NFL

Francis Mauigoa to Undergo Additional Imaging on a Back Issue
Kaleb McGary

Retires After Seven Years in the NFL
Jawaan Taylor

Signs with the Falcons
Andrei Kuzmenko

to Be Re-Evaluated in 7-8 Days
Mason Appleton

Won't Play Thursday
Tony DeAngelo

Expected to Return Thursday
John Klingberg

Rejoins Sharks Lineup Wednesday
Alex Lyon

Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Back in Action Wednesday
Alex Ovechkin

Won't Decide Future Until Offseason
Cole Ragans

"Should be Good" for Next Start
Reynaldo López

Reynaldo Lopez Handed Seven-Game Suspension
Jorge Soler

Suspended Seven Games, Will Appeal
NFL

NFL Scouts See Plenty of Upside With Drew Allar
NFL

Ty Simpson to Fall into Second Round in NFL Draft?
Cleveland Browns

Todd Monken "Fired Up" About Quarterback Competition
Cleveland Browns

KC Concepcion Visiting With the Browns
Cole Ragans

Diagnosed With Thumb Contusion
Houston Texans

Texans Pick Up Will Anderson's Fifth-Year Option
C.J. Stroud

Texans Exercise C.J. Stroud's Fifth-Year Option
Cole Ragans

Leaves Early on Wednesday After Being Hit in the Hand
Jacob deGrom

Expects to Make his Next Start
Konnor Griffin

Pirates Sign Konnor Griffin to Nine-Year Extension
Parker Washington

Undervalued Despite League-Winning Finish in 2025
Justus Annunen

Ends Predators' 120-Game Streak Without a Shutout
Trevor Zegras

Leads Flyers to Victory Tuesday
Kevin Bahl

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Against Stars
Michael Rasmussen

Likely to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Dmitry Kulikov

Done for the Season After Breaking Finger
Jalen Chatfield

Exits Early With Lower-Body Injury
Nazem Kadri

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Tuesday
Tyrrell Hatton

a Steady Option at The Masters
Justin Thomas

a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Masters
PGA

Sungjae Im a Volatile Option at the Masters
Nicolai Hojgaard

Carrying Momentum Into The Masters
Si Woo Kim

in Strong Form Heading to The Masters
Chris Gotterup

Ready to Make His Masters Debut
Patrick Reed

Brings Momentum to The Masters
Jon Rahm

Looks Poised for His Second Green Jacket
Morgan Geekie

Collects Second Career Hat Trick
Joel Eriksson Ek

has Three Points in Victory
Jacob deGrom

Doesn't Have Structural Damage in his Knee
J.T. Realmuto

Leaves Game on Tuesday Due to Bruised Right Foot
Cody Ponce

to Have Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Six Months
Alejandro Kirk

Facing Six-Week Absence
Jacob deGrom

to Undergo MRI on Tuesday
Mike Trout

Back in the Lineup on Tuesday
Hunter Brown

Diagnosed with Grade 2 Shoulder Strain
Pavel Mintyukov

Returns From Three-Game Absence
Cutter Gauthier

Remains Sidelined Tuesday
Kirby Dach

Ready to Return Tuesday
Adam Scott

Form Points to Him Competing at Masters
Jordan Spieth

Finding Consistency Heading to Masters
Hideki Matsuyama

Trending In Right Direction For Masters
Cade Horton

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Tommy Fleetwood

a Contender if his Putter Cooperates at The Masters
Jacob deGrom

Pitches Through Knee Issue on Monday
Dalton Rushing

Smacks Two Homers in Rout of Blue Jays
Max Scherzer

Dealing With Forearm Tendinitis, Expected to Make his Next Start
Collin Morikawa

Vegas has Lost Confidence in Collin Morikawa Ahead of Masters Tournament
Ludvig Aberg

One of the Top Plays For This Week's Masters Tournament
Rory McIlroy

Set to Defend his Long-Awaited Masters Victory
Bryson DeChambeau

Looks to Finally Claim a Green Jacket
Patrick Cantlay

Needs Plenty to Go Right at Augusta
Harris English

Playing Solid Golf Heading to Masters
Sam Burns

Bouncing Back Nicely After Slow Start to 2026 Season
Corey Conners

Quietly Putting Together A Strong 2026 Season
Russell Henley

Looks to Bounce Back At Masters
Mike Trout

Held Out of Series Opener Against Braves
Chris Duncan

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Renato Moicano

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tabatha Ricci

Gets Outgrappled
Virna Jandiroba

Bounces Back
Brendson Ribeiro

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Earns First-Round Submission Win
Rafael Estevam

Suffers His First Loss
Ethyn Ewing

Dominates At UFC Vegas 115
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF