Every fantasy football season brings a new crop of buzzy names, but not all the hype holds up once the games begin. For every breakout gem, there's a player who falls short of expectations, whether due to age, poor usage, bad schemes or inflated ADPs.
This article spotlights the fantasy football busts you need to watch out for in 2025 drafts. While many of these players had strong stretches last year or came with high draft capital, the trends beneath the surface suggest trouble ahead. Before you fill your bench with name value or breakout noise, take a hard look at the warning signs.
And if you're still chasing this year's NFL fantasy football sleepers, be sure to check out our updated fantasy football sleepers list for balanced draft prep.
WR Marvin Harrison – Arizona Cardinals
Arizona misused Harrison by running him on deep routes over 25 percent of the time; routes that don't align with Kyler Murray's downfield struggles. After failing to adjust post-bye, 2025 likely brings more of the same.
WR Darnell Mooney – Atlanta Falcons
Mooney's targets dropped from 7.5 to 5.0 per game once the Falcons shifted their offense through Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Without reliable volume, his downfield role won't translate to consistent fantasy value. To top it off, he's dealing with a preseason shoulder injury.
WR Zay Flowers – Baltimore Ravens
Flowers had early season success in 2024 but faded late. He surpassed 12.2 PPR points just once after Week 10,
Every fantasy football season brings a new crop of buzzy names, but not all the hype holds up once the games begin. For every breakout gem, there's a player who falls short of expectations, whether due to age, poor usage, bad schemes or inflated ADPs.
This article spotlights the fantasy football busts you need to watch out for in 2025 drafts. While many of these players had strong stretches last year or came with high draft capital, the trends beneath the surface suggest trouble ahead. Before you fill your bench with name value or breakout noise, take a hard look at the warning signs.
And if you're still chasing this year's NFL fantasy football sleepers, be sure to check out our updated fantasy football sleepers list for balanced draft prep.
WR Marvin Harrison – Arizona Cardinals
Arizona misused Harrison by running him on deep routes over 25 percent of the time; routes that don't align with Kyler Murray's downfield struggles. After failing to adjust post-bye, 2025 likely brings more of the same.
WR Darnell Mooney – Atlanta Falcons
Mooney's targets dropped from 7.5 to 5.0 per game once the Falcons shifted their offense through Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Without reliable volume, his downfield role won't translate to consistent fantasy value. To top it off, he's dealing with a preseason shoulder injury.
WR Zay Flowers – Baltimore Ravens
Flowers had early season success in 2024 but faded late. He surpassed 12.2 PPR points just once after Week 10, as Baltimore leaned more into its ground game. Expect that identity to hold in 2025.
RB James Cook – Buffalo Bills
Cook scored 18 touchdowns in 2024 but actually dropped 300 scrimmage yards from the prior season. His snap share declined down the stretch, and with just seven TDs in his first 33 games, major regression looms.
WR Tetairoa McMillan – Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young rarely hit 200 passing yards last season. With volume low and target competition, McMillan is unlikely to shine in Year 1, even if the long-term outlook is bright.
WR Luther Burden – Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson's offense used two tight ends often in Detroit. With Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland in Chicago, the third WR (Burden) could struggle for snaps and targets.
WR Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins has never topped 110 targets or 1,100 yards. With five missed games in each of the last two seasons, his injury risk and inconsistent volume don't match his ADP.
RB Quinshon Judkins – Cleveland Browns
Judkins enters the NFL dealing with off-the-field concerns and team discipline issues. As talented as he is, the transition to professional football could be rocky.
RB Jaydon Blue – Dallas Cowboys
Blue has practice effort concerns per local beat reports. Without strong draft capital, he's no lock to rise in a wide-open depth chart unless he earns it.
QB Bo Nix – Denver Broncos
Nix was a dual-threat star as a rookie, but Denver upgraded their run game and defense. That points to a ball-control game plan, which means fewer opportunities for Nix to rack up fantasy points.
TE Sam LaPorta – Detroit Lions
LaPorta surged late in 2024 once the defense fell apart. If Detroit returns to a run-heavy, defense-first identity, expect his target volume to revert to the early season levels of 2024.
WR Matthew Golden – Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love threw just 24 times per game after the bye last year. Add that to Golden's downfield skill set, and Love's deep-ball accuracy issues, and the fit looks shaky.
RB Joe Mixon – Houston Texans
Mixon's efficiency dropped late in 2024, and he ranked below the 23rd percentile in both broken tackles and yards after contact. With Nick Chubb reportedly healthy, and Mixon dealing with a foot injury, Mixon could lose his lead role.
TE Tyler Warren – Indianapolis Colts
Warren may be a long-term asset, but his rookie-year volume looks limited. In a low-pass offense with Michael Pittman already dominating short routes, Warren could struggle for relevance.
WR Travis Hunter – Jacksonville Jaguars
Hunter is still developing as a receiver and may lose snaps due to defensive usage. With Brian Thomas Jr. as the clear WR1, targets and usage could be a challenge
TE Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce's targets remain high, but his yards after the catch and aDOT are shrinking. With age and potential snap management, his ceiling is lower than his name suggests.
RB Kyren Williams – Los Angeles Rams
Despite strong past production, Williams' efficiency metrics lag. After back-to-back drafts with high RB investment, there's risk he's headed for a reduced role even though coach Sean McVay loves riding one RB.
WR Ladd McConkey – Los Angeles Chargers
McConkey's late-season spike came during a run-game void. With Omarion Hampton and (maybe) Najee Harris now in place, expect LA to lean on the ground game, limiting McConkey's volume.
TE Jack Bech – Las Vegas Raiders
Bech ran with backups in early offseason work and faces stiff target competition for snaps. Separation concerns limit his role/ceiling.
WR Tyreek Hill – Miami Dolphins
Hill's 38th percentile YAC rate suggests athletic decline, and his displeasure with Miami has been public. Add in age and QB limitations, and his fantasy status is far from guaranteed.
TE T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings loaded up their O-line and backfield this offseason, signaling a shift to run-first play. With Jefferson commanding targets, Hockenson is unlikely to reclaim elite usage.
WR Stefon Diggs – New England Patriots
Over 30, coming off an ACL tear and switching teams, Diggs checks all the red-flag boxes. Expect a slow transition and possible role issues.
RB Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints
Kamara's efficiency has dipped two straight years. With no threat at QB, defenses can load the box and limit his already diminished burst.
RB Tyrone Tracy – New York Giants
Tracy's usage declined sharply post-bye in 2024. Rookie Cam Skattebo threatens his role both as a runner and in pass protection.
QB Justin Fields – New York Jets
Fields still takes too many hits and turns the ball over often. If mistakes pile up, a benching isn't out of the question. Durability is also a concern.
TE Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert is often the forgotten man in an offense built around four younger superstars. With limited volume and frequent injuries, he's a bust candidate even at a modest ADP.
RB Jaylen Warren – Pittsburgh Steelers
Warren's 2023 may have been a fluke as his 2024 efficiency cratered. With Kaleb Johnson in the mix and Warren's efficiency being a concern, his role could shrink just enough to be fantasy-frustrating.
RB Kenneth Walker – Seattle Seahawks
Walker has never finished as a top-15 RB, yet that's where he's being drafted. With declining efficiency year over year, and rising work for Zach Charbonnet, the committee risk is real.
WR Jauan Jennings – San Francisco 49ers
Jennings' contract drama and limited receiving resume suggest fantasy irrelevance. His biggest value comes as a blocker, though he had stretches of receiving brilliance in 2024. With Christian McCaffrey back, passing volume could dip, hurting Jennings.
RB Bucky Irving – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving thrived under Liam Coen's brilliant play-calling. With a new coaching staff in place, it's unfair to assume similar usage or results.
RB Tyjae Spears – Tennessee Titans
Spears had flashes in 2024, but those came when fresh. With Tony Pollard possibly leading this backfield 65/35 despite reports to the contrary, Spears may deliver too many empty weeks.
WR Deebo Samuel – Washington Commanders
Samuel has averaged under 930 scrimmage yards for three years and leaves Kyle Shanahan's offense for a far less creative scheme. The physical toll is catching up.
Final Thoughts: Avoid the Name-Value Traps
Whether it's aging stars or overhyped prospects, busts come in all forms. Fantasy managers who rely too much on past production, or fall for offseason hype, often pay the price in the standings.
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Draft smart. Fade risk. And don't be afraid to walk away from big names when the setup doesn't support the payoff.
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