9 Fantasy Football Players You Don’t Want

Approaching the halfway point in the fantasy and real football seasons, I took a look at the numbers and made nine picks for whom you don’t want on your roster. All statistics are according to ESPN.com fantasy leagues. “PRK” stands for rank among players of the same position, “AVG” stands for the average amount of fantasy points that a player accumulates per game, and “Owned” indicates in what percentage of ESPN.com fantasy leagues a player participates in. (Note: all statistics listed as of 10/15/14)

James Kenney, Staff Writer|October 20, 2014

9. Cam Newton -PRK: 23 -AVG: 11 -Owned: 99% (-0.9%) If you can name more than three of Carolina’s receivers this year, I’m impressed. Carolina is looking to rebuild their receiving corps; with the drafting of a highly touted rookie, Kelvin Benjamin, and the signing of some mediocre pass-catchers, it doesn’t look like Newton will have the same passing numbers that he has had in the past. This receiving troupe will have even less potential as Carolina’s ground threat is also weak (see Deangelo Williams). That leaves his own feet to make up for the rest of his fantasy points, right? Wrong. Newton is coming off of ankle surgery that sidelined and slowed him down throughout the preseason. Look for Newton to become a pocket passer until he regains strength in confidence in that ankle. Also, look for a spot on your bench for Newton when your starting QB has a bye week. Courtesy of 49erswebzone.com
Photo by: Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images
8. Emmanuel Sanders
-PRK: 20 -AVG: 10.5 -Owned: 100%
Although Emmanuel Sanders is first in targets and other offensive categories for the Broncos, he has yet to record a touchdown this season. Maybe that’s a sign that he isn’t a red zone or deep-ball receiver. Either way, he’ll get fantasy owners a few big games in terms of points, but not the points that one would expect from PEYTON MANNING’s leading receiver in the long run.
Courtesy of highlighthub.com
7. Marshawn Lynch -PRK: 2 -AVG: 19.0 -Owned: 100% Marshawn Lynch is probably the most controversial inclusion to this list. Yes, he’s a stud. There is no way around that, but he isn’t the Energizer Bunny, no matter how many Skittles he eats or how much Fireball he takes from fans. He is coming off a second straight 300-carry campaign where he racked up more than 1,200 yards. The 28 year old has to be tired. Anyone would be burnt out. Look for the Seahawks to include backup running backs and more passing to ease the workload of Beast Mode. Courtesy of HighlightHub
Courtesy of reddit.com
6. Knowshon Moreno -PRK: 47 -AVG: 4.8 -Owned: 81.3% (-0.6%) Knowshon Moreno is coming off of an impressive statistical 2013-2014 season, where he tallied almost 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns. This past season for Moreno was no fluke, but do not expect these numbers to be put up once again. Now on the Dolphins, he is no longer being handed the ball from Peyton Manning. Manning’s passing game allowed Moreno to have a lot space to run. Most of his yards last year came from when there were only a few defensive lineman in the box. Also, the Dolphins coaching and offensive line woes paired with his injury-prone nature are reasons to keep this average back off of your fantasy roster. Courtesy of the New York Daily News
Courtesy of sbnation.com
5. Arian Foster -PRK: 4 -AVG: 12.4 -Owned: 100% Arian Foster has previously established himself as a dominant back in the NFL. But, he should be avoided by fantasy owners. He is injury prone, spending two of the last three seasons affected by injuries. He will be disadvantaged by the implementing of a new offensive system and a downgrade at the quarterback position (depending on who you ask). Keep in mind he again didn’t play a single snap of preseason ball due to injuries. AGAIN. Courtesy of SB Nation
Courtesy of thebiglead.com
4. DeAngelo Williams -PRK: 68 -AVG: 2.0 -Owned: 84.6% (-4.5%) Deangelo Williams is one-third of a revolving door of injury-prone backs in Carolina. Don’t look for the former University of Memphis standout to emerge as the leading rusher for this team. At 31, his age could begin to show, compared to the younger backs on the team. Also, the Panthers are looking to rebuild their receiving corps after some offseason departures and poor signings. This will leave less space for Williams to run, when healthy, and if he can get the ball away from the Panthers’ premier rusher (Cam Newton). Courtesy of the Big Lead
Courtesy of sbnation.com
3. Knile Davis -PRK: 14 -AVG: 9.8 -Owned: 67.2% (-7.3%) Yes, yes Knile Davis did help his fellow Chiefs trample the Dolphins in Week 3, but this performance is nothing to go crazy over. He racked up 132 yards and a single touchdown, all in the absence of fantasy superstar Jamaal Charles. In that game, he only averaged four yards per carry against a weak Miami defense. With Charles returning from injury, all of Davis’ numbers are plummeting. His rushing attempts have been reduced to 1/16 of what they were in the Dolphins game. In one of the last Chiefs games, he only got two carries for a whopping six yards. Knile Davis isn’t a bad running back, but he is a poor fantasy investment for right now. Look for him the upcoming years to possibly sign with a team where he would see more playing time. Courtesy of SB Nation
Photo by: thespish.com
2. Chris Johnson
-PRK: 39-AVG: 6.0 -Owned: 91.4% (-3.2%)
How the mighty have fallen. Chris Johnson used to be a premier rusher, in both the real and fantasy realms. After career lows last season, the Titans released the former face of their franchise–the TITANS. He is still a moderate receiving threat, but don’t hold onto him if you made the mistake of drafting him. I mean, come on, he signed with the New York Jets in the offseason where he doesn’t even start. In the land where careers go to die, don’t mind Johnson as he rides the bench behind Chris Ivory.
1. Tom Brady -PRK: 23 -AVG: 11.0 -Owned: 95.6% (-1%) Tom Brady of late is not the Tom Brady that we know and…love (to hate). Over the past few seasons, his numbers are gradually sliding down. His completion percentage, yards, and touchdowns are trending down while his interceptions are trending up. Yes, a lack of an experienced receiving corps, like the Pats have had in years past, can be attributed to Brady’s decline. But, when it comes to it, he is getting old. Brady is 37, and his body is showing it. Fantasy owners and experts can point to his age as a leading factor of his demise, but look at his numbers from the beat-down that Kansas City handed to he and the Patriots. In the 41-14 blowout, Brady was pulled after throwing two interceptions and a mere 159 yards through the air. Courtesy of distractify.com