Top Fantasy Busts So Far in 2008

So far through 2008, here are some early fantasy football busts. A couple of these players have the ability to bounce back, but some should be dropped or traded from your team. Unless you are in a keeper league, and you think some will bounce back next year if you drafted or bought low on them in a draft or auction.

Probably a bust:

Reggie Williams, Jacksonville, avg. 1.6 points per game. He was supposed to be passed up this year by previously troubled free agent additions, Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson so I feel a little hesitant putting Williams on the list. But he has stayed in the lineup, but is no longer the Jags top option. Matt Jones has put his recent legal troubles behind him and has risen as the top option in Jacksonville.

Chad Ocho Cinco, Cincinnati, avg. 3.8 ppg. Has had a horrible year so far, and it doesn't look to stop. The Bengals are terrible all around, especially the offense, and not much will change this year. At 30, he could be on the decline for his career.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati, avg. 8.5 ppg played. Has been banged up this year but also had a terrible start before his injury. He will probably play most of the year, but look for him to be ineffective playing with a throwing arm below 100%.

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland, Avg. 3.5 ppg
Derek Anderson, Cleveland, avg. 5.8 ppg
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland, avg. 8.25 ppg played.

A pattern has emerged in Cleveland. Most of the team is playing poorly, and the league has figured out Derek Anderson. Look for Brady Quinn to start soon, which will detract from Lewis' numbers when teams force Quinn to beat them. Edwards' needs to remember how to catch the ball and surpass his preseason hype the rest of the year as a budding elite receiver and dominate to justify he preseason fantasy ranking.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville, avg. 9.2 ppg and only more than 7 touches in one game. Has played tough defenses, but it appears Fred Taylor will get a majority of the carries.

Laurence Maroney, New England, avg. 2.0 ppg, 0 TDs, never more than 10 touches in one game. The Patriots are spreading carries around, which is killing Maroney. Maroney is starting to look like a first round bust instead of just an '08 fantasy bust.

Can bounce back:

Thomas Jones, avg. 7.8 ppg, 1 TD, has not scored more than 7 fantasy points or 20 touches in a week since week 1. Games upcoming are Cinci, Oakland, and KC, which could allow him to finally put up consistent numbers. Maybe sell high if he performs because he could have a repeat of his disappointing season last year.

Fred Taylor, avg. 4.4 ppg, 0 TD, only scored more than 4 points once, but has played some tough defenses. Taylor has been given the load in Jacksonville, and their next 4 games are against easier run defenses, Denver, Cleveland, Cinci, and Detroit. After that, probably sell high.