If you’re a fan of the NFL or NCAAF, the chances are that you’ve heard of fantasy football busts. Still, many fans don’t know how to spot this type of player when it comes to building their rosters.
Lucky for you, we created this guide to help fans identify fantasy football busts. Let’s start by establishing the definition of a bust before going over some tips for spotting this type of player.
What Are Fantasy Football Busts?
Essentially, fantasy football busts are players who underperform relative to their average draft position. Busts appear to offer great value at the beginning of the season, but they ultimately end up ruining your team.
No matter how much you try and avoid them, fantasy football busts happen every season. From running backs and receivers to rookies and veterans, fantasy football busts come in all shapes and sizes. It’s your job to limit the chances of picking dud players.
Tips for Spotting Fantasy Football Busts
Unfortunately, busts are an unavoidable facet of the fantasy football adventure. Even the most experienced fantasy football players struggle to steer clear of busts. That said, there are ways you can reduce the risk of selecting the wrong player.
Here are our top tips for identifying fantasy football busts:
Analyze Previous Seasons
One of the most helpful things you can do when attempting to spot fantasy football busts is look at previous seasons. Does the player have consistent numbers? Are they known for experiencing dips in form? Do they have a history of unpredictability? These are all aspects to consider.
Consider Injury and Fitness Issues
It’s also important to assess a player’s injury history when drafting. If a player is known for sustaining injuries, it may be worth avoiding them. Similarly, if a player has just returned from a lengthy layoff, they could be at risk of picking up another injury.
Evaluate the Schedule
The schedule can have a big impact on how many points your fantasy football players will score. Even if you have the best players in the game, their potential could be limited by a difficult run of games against tough opponents.
Assess Potential Timeshare Problems
The impact that a timeshare has on a player in fantasy football cannot be ignored. At the end of the day, the key to fantasy football production is volume. If your player isn’t playing consistently, you won’t get consistent points. A backfield partner is a sure-fire sign of a bust.
Be Cautious With Rookies
The excitement of drafting a promising rookie is always tempting. Everyone wants to be the genius who first picks the next breakout star, but rookies often fail to live up to the hype. With that in mind, we recommend approaching rookies with caution.