If you have played fantasy football for a number of seasons, it is very likely that you have drafted a couple of fantasy busts. Relying on a player to lead your team only to have them suffer an injury or perform far below expectations is a hard pill to swallow. To help you avoid a potentially disastrous fantasy football draft, I have compiled this list of the top 10 overall players to stay away from in 2013, and reasons why.
#10. Any Detroit Lions WR Not Named Calvin Johnson
Do not use any fantasy draft pick on a Detroit Lions wide receiver that is not named Calvin Johnson. Nate Burleson is coming off of a broken leg and is past his prime, Ryan Broyles is recovering from an ACL injury and will probably not start the season, and Titus Young has been cut from the team. Broyles may be worth picking up as a free agent once the season has started, but don’t bother drafting him due to the uncertainty of his ability to stay healthy and contribute. The only way I would consider drafting a Lions receiver is if they made a big signing during free agency like Michigan native and former Green Bay Packer Greg Jennings.
#9. Vernon Davis – TE San Francisco 49ers
Vernon Davis did not have a strong year from a fantasy perspective. In the last 13 games of the 2012 NFL season Davis scored only one touchdown and had 11 games in which he had less than 40 yards receiving. He finished the year with 41 receptions, 548 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns. Although he did have a couple of good games in the postseason, his regular season performance is a warning sign to all fantasy owners. Even with a weak class of tight ends available, there are many options better than Davis.
#8. Willis McGahee – RB Denver Broncos
The 31 year old Willis McGahee averaged 4.4 yards per carry and finished the regular season with 731 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns and 5 fumbles. The team will have to make a decision as to what they want to do at the running back position, but even if they go McGahee, he is not a dependable option and is recovering from injuries. Don’t draft McGahee unless he is still available near the end of your draft.
#7. Darren McFadden – RB Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden is not an elite running back. In 2012, McFadden averaged a career worst 3.3 yards per carry and gained just 707 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns. He has struggled with injuries every season, missing a total of 23 games in five years in the NFL. Let someone else waste a draft pick on him this season, he is no longer worth the hype.
#6. – Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts
He will continue to improve and he did take a surprising Indianapolis Colts team to the playoffs, but Andrew Luck did not have that good of a season from a fantasy perspective. Luck was 26th in the NFL with a quarterback rating of 76.5 and threw the 2nd most interceptions (18). Second year options Robert Griffin and even Russell Wilson are better draft picks than Andrew Luck. Luck will get respect in your fantasy draft, but he doesn’t deserve it quite yet.
#5. Michael Turner – RB Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner had an impressive 10 touchdowns, but that was the end of his impressive statistics in 2012. He will be 31 at the start of the season and only averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Jacquizz Rodgers looks like the new starting running back for the Atlanta Falcons this season and is also a pass catching threat, which Turner is not. This is the last year of Turner’s contract with the Atlanta Falcons, which may give him some added motivation, but don’t expect anything extraordinary out of him.
#4. Mark Ingram – RB New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints were 25th in rushing last season and did not give Mark Ingram enough carries to be a relevant fantasy starter. Ingram led the team in rushing with only 602 yards. You have no reason to hold out hope for the Saints to get the most out of their talented running back.
#3. Ryan Matthews – RB San Diego Chargers
The 25 year old Ryan Matthews is a waste of a fantasy draft pick. He finished the 2012 season with 707 yards rushing and only 1 touchdown. The Chargers were 27th in rushing and although there are not many other running backs on the roster that look ready to take over the lead role, Matthews isn’t up to the task to lead this offense or earn a spot on your fantasy team.
#2. Larry Fitzgerald – WR Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals’ wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald broke the hearts of many fantasy owners with his lackluster performance. Although he is arguably one of the best receivers in the league, the Cardinals don’t have a reliable quarterback. He finished last season with 71 receptions, 798 yards receiving, and 4 touchdowns. Until the Cardinals get a serviceable option at quarterback, there is not much value in their receivers in terms of fantasy. It is hard to ignore such a great player during your fantasy draft day, but you must leave Fitzgerald on your draft board instead of taking a risk.
#1. Michael Vick – QB Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick’s future with the Philadelphia Eagles is in question, but I believe no matter what, his career as a fantasy football starter is over. Vick does not appear to have many seasons left in his battered body and is a risk to get injured everytime he steps outside of the pocket. In 2012, Vick had 10 interceptions with only 12 passing touchdowns. Vick has gone from a fantasy stud to undraftable.
*All Statistics from ESPN via ESPN.com
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