Bust. It’s the dirtiest four-letter word in fantasy football.
Fantasy managers who drafted players such as Russell Wilson, Jonathan Taylor and Deebo Samuel last season know the term (and its consequences) all too well. Selecting a bust, especially in the earlier rounds of your draft, can be detrimental to your chances of fielding a true fantasy league postseason contender.
To me, the term “bust” includes players who either don’t live up to their draft position or were selected to play prominent roles who fail in the stat sheets. Middle- to late-round picks, unless you select them to be starters (mostly quarterbacks or tight ends), don’t fit the description. After all, late rounders are easily replaced.
With that in mind, here are eight wideouts to beware with your valuable draft capital.
Davante Adams, Raiders
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I’m not saying I’d avoid Adams altogether, but there is more risk in drafting him this year. That’s due in large part to the fact that the Raiders have major questions at quarterback with Jimmy Garoppolo coming off foot surgery. If he’s forced to miss time and the team is left with Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O’Connell under center, Adams could fail to meet his high expectations as a top-15 selection.
Deebo Samuel, 49ers
Unfortunately. Samuel has likely already had his best fantasy campaign (2021). With Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle in the offense, there is simply too much talent for Samuel to be an elite wideout again. With a decline in rushing chances, most notably in the red zone, not to mention a fall in targets, Samuel is now more of a mid-level, unreliable No. 2 wideout in most drafts.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars
Kirk is coming off his best season in the stat sheets, posting 84 catches for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. He’ll still play a big role in the Jaguars offense, but he could see a decline in targets with Calvin Ridley in the offense. Ridley, who should see 130-plus chances in the pass attack, will no doubt hurt the stock of both Kirk and Zay Jones in a suddenly crowded and talented offense.
Mike Evans, Buccaneers
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You can make a pretty strong argument that Evans is going to the Hall of Fame, but he could be in for a tough 2023 campaign. That’s mostly due to a huge downgrade at quarterback from Tom Brady (733 pass attempts in 2022) to either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask. Evans still has plenty of name value, but drafting him as more than a high No. 3 wideout in the middle rounds could be a serious mistake.
DJ Moore, Bears
Moore is coming off his worst fantasy season in the last four years, posting just 63 catches for 888 yards while averaging 11.7 PPR points. The trade that sent him to Chicago is seen as a positive, but is it? The Bears will continue to lean on the run, and the team also has Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool and Cole Kmet in the mix for targets. I’d be wary of DJ as more than a low No. 3 wideout.
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
I was a Pittman fan going into last season, and he failed to meet expectations due to major issues at quarterback. The Colts did add both Gardner Minshew and rookie Anthony Richardson, but can either quarterback push Pittman back to his 2021 totals? I have my doubts about what is likely going to be a run-heavy, clock-eating offense. Don’t pick Pittman as more than a No. 3 receiver.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots
Smith-Schuster still has some “name” value, but don’t be fooled. The veteran has failed to average more than 11.6 PPR points in three of his last four years, and his quarterback was Patrick Mahomes last season! Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots in the offseason and might be their top wideout, but the team has a crowded passing game that makes Smith-Schuster more of a No. 4 wideout in most drafts.
Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens
Beckham might have a big name, but his days as an elite fantasy receiver are all but over. He’s played in just 21 games in the last three years due to multiple ACL tears, and he’ll be 30 years old in November. The Ravens also have a number of mouths to feed in the offense, including Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman and rookie Zay Flowers, so OBJ will have a tough time making a huge impact.
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