"Fantasy football busts" is a loaded term that can lead gamers astray through the implied connotation of complete failure or automatic draft-day avoidance. Instead, consider these players candidates with elevated risk because of inconsistency, injury exposure, uncertain roles or inflated acquisition costs. Those factors create more risk than managers ought to accept without a reliable backup plan.
These bust candidates still could offer useful outings on occasion, but each player carries warning indicators that figure to prevent him from meeting expectations in season-long leagues. At a minimum, expectations should be lowered and contingencies created.
2026 Fantasy Football Bust Candidates
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QB Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
Miami committed to Willis as its starter, but his impressive 2025 efficiency came on only 35 pass attempts. He now must prove capable of sustaining accurate, consistent quarterback play over a full season while learning a new offense and developing chemistry with a young, depleted receiving group. His rushing ability can protect his fantasy floor, but mobility alone cannot overcome glaring, recurring passing problems every week. Willis sports noticeable upside, though gamers should prepare for volatile production that can sink lineups in weekly formats. He's much more appealing in best-ball and superflex settings.
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in 2025, but repeating those totals will require another pass-heavy season. The addition of Myles Garrett and other defensive upgrades should reduce the necessity of frequent high-volume passing days. Furthermore, a blossoming backfield tandem in Kyren Williams and Blake Corum gives Los Angeles a capable rushing foundation. Stafford also managed an aggravated disc last year and nearly landed on injured reserve prior to Week 1. Any extended absence for Puka Nacua or Davante Adams would further weaken his fantasy outlook. Expect substantial regression from Stafford’s career year in 2025, especially if Los Angeles can win a Super Bowl by leaning more on his veteran leadership than on his rocket arm.
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
8/14 update: McCaffrey recently sat out practice with unspecified tightness, though San Francisco characterized the absence as precautionary.
Few players can match McCaffrey’s ceiling when healthy, but his draft cost leaves little room for missed time or reduced efficiency. He handled a league-high 413 touches in 2025 and surpassed 2,000 scrimmage yards, yet his 3.9 yards per carry represented the lowest mark in a healthy season since CMC's 2017 rookie year. San Francisco already plans to manage his workload more carefully, but that doesn't automatically mean his ridiculous workload last year won't take its toll. McCaffrey remains an elite RB1 as long as he's upright, but his injury history and enormous mileage make him a wildly dangerous top-three selection.
RB Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints
Etienne remains capable of producing RB2 numbers after recording 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 total touchdowns in 2025 in a bounce-back effort. However, New Orleans also has Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal available for backfield work. An improved passing game featuring Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, and Juwan Johnson could further reduce weekly rushing volume as well as Etienne's much-needed aerial targets. He should remain useful for scoring chances, but changing personnel packages and greater variance in target distribution may create frustrating swings from one matchup to the next.
RB Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
8/14 update: Jacobs is dealing with a groin injury that will keep him sidelined for at least the remainder of this week. MarShawn Lloyd has earned additional first-team work while Jacobs recovers.
Jacobs still projects as a dependable RB2 when available, but several uncertainties surround his 2026 outlook. He played through knee, ankle, thigh, and bone-bruising issues during the second half of last season after accumulating substantial career mileage the prior year. Jacobs' history thus far shows an injury-fueled regression following a big year. More importantly, prosecutors continue to consider charges following his May arrest on domestic abuse allegations, which Jacobs denies. Possible legal or league discipline creates a risk that fantasy managers cannot ignore, especially at a position where missed games quickly can send gamers scrambling.
RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving opened training camp as a full participant without restrictions following offseason shoulder surgery, an encouraging development after shoulder and foot injuries cost him seven games in 2025. Tampa Bay still added Kenneth Gainwell following his career-best season, giving the offense another versatile runner and receiver. Additionally, Sean Tucker remains a threat near the goal line after leading the Buccaneers in rushing touchdowns last year. Irving can reassume his previous RB1 trajectory, but stronger competition makes his workload less secure than his draft position may suggest. He had one above-average season, and that was two coordinators ago, so don't get overzealous.
RB Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Jones missed six games with hamstring and knee injuries last season and will turn 32 before the end of 2026. Minnesota can now distribute touches among Jones, Jordan Mason, and rookie Demond Claiborne rather than relying heavily on its veteran starter. Kyler Murray’s mobility also could reduce checkdowns or redirect some red-zone rushing opportunities. Jones still offers receiving ability and weekly flex value, but age, durability, and an increasingly crowded backfield make him borderline undraftable.
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
Croskey-Merritt produced 805 rushing yards and eight scores as a rookie, but his workload fluctuated throughout the season. He caught only nine passes, leaving him dependent on carry volume and touchdowns for fantasy value. Washington added accomplished receiving back Rachaad White, versatile veteran Jerome Ford, and rookie Kaytron Allen to strengthen the backfield. "Bill" currently sits atop Washington’s first unofficial depth chart, but the additional competition still raises questions about third-down work, weekly volume, and how firmly he can hold the job.
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WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants
A complicated recovery from ACL and meniscus injuries still creates some early-season risk after another procedure addressed scar tissue in his knee. However, Nabers took a significant step on Aug. 13 by participating in team drills while wearing a red non-contact jersey, including limited 11-on-11 work. The Giants have yet to formally clear him for Week 1, but his recent progress has improved the outlook considerably. The missed offseason work also hinders Nabers' opportunities to further develop timing with Jaxson Dart, who remains an improving but unfinished passer. New York’s coaching change could produce a more balanced, run-oriented offense behind an upgraded line. Nabers possesses elite potential, but his health, quarterback development, and uncertain return timeline create significant early-round risk. Expect a much stronger second-half showing from him.
WR Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Adams led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns in 2025, but he garnered only 60 receptions for 789 yards while missing the final three regular-season games with a hamstring injury. That profile relied heavily on scoring, an area which can fluctuate from year to year. He enters 2026 at age 33, and an improved Rams defense could reduce passing volume. Adams remains a strong red-zone target, but age, durability, and touchdown dependence make another top-flight fantasy finish difficult to project.
WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Pierce remains on Active/PUP after undergoing ankle surgery following a season in which he played through discomfort. However, GM Chris Ballard said on Aug. 11 that Pierce is making strong progress and remains on target to play in Week 1, even though he has yet to return to full practice. His vertical speed creates explosive scoring potential, but a specialized downfield role also produces inconsistent target totals and production. While his massive payday implies we'll see more work for Pierce, it's far from guaranteed that will translate to a significant increase in output. Quarterback Daniel Jones returns from an Achilles injury, and Indianapolis still lacks a viable quarterback solution should he miss time for any reason. With limited established receiving help outside Tyler Warren and Josh Downs, defenses can devote additional attention to preventing Pierce’s primary strength from winning out.
WR Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Wilson’s 2025 surge established him as a fantasy target, but several conditions that fueled his increased production could change. Marvin Harrison Jr. missed five games and has enough talent to claim the offense’s WR1 role. Wilson also developed his strongest connection with Jacoby Brissett, whose starting role could eventually give way to Gardner Minshew or rookie Carson Beck. A new coaching staff adds another variable. Wilson can remain productive, but target competition and season-long quarterback uncertainty introduce substantial regression risk.
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TE Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Think risky rather than bust: Andrews tallied only 48 grabs for 422 yards and five TDs across 17 games in 2025 (35-314-5 with Lamar Jackson starting), raising questions about whether age has begun to reduce his separation and explosiveness. His PFF receiving grade ranked 31st among 37 qualifying tight ends, substantially lower than in prior years. Baltimore also enters a new offensive system under first-time play-caller Declan Doyle. While targets should be there, so could early growing pains. Andrews’ established connection with Jackson keeps him relevant, but much of his value now depends on touchdowns. Another Jackson injury or an uneven transition under the new staff could leave Andrews outside the dependable TE1 range, but he's well worth his TE15 ADP if those pitfalls are avoided.
TEs David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers
Both tight ends offer individual fantasy appeal, but their presence in the same offense creates difficult weekly projections. Gadsden turned heads with 49 catches for 664 yards as a rookie, which wasn't enough to prevent Los Angeles from adding Njoku as another athletic receiving option. New OC Mike McDaniel can use multiple-TE formations, though that versatility does not guarantee consistent routes or targets for either player. A deep collection of skill-position talent will kneecap both players’ ceilings, and Njoku and Gadsden could cannibalize each other’s fantasy value.
TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Johnson broke out with 77 receptions for 889 yards a year ago, but the career season came unusually late in his development in an age-29 campaign. New Orleans has since added Jordyn Tyson, Travis Etienne, Noah Fant, and rookie tight end Oscar Delp, creating significantly more competition for short and intermediate targets. Johnson also carries a modest history of missed time before last year’s healthy effort. He can remain a useful starter, but expecting another 889-yard season overlooks the offense’s expanded collection of alternatives and Johnson's immense risk factor.
