Every year, fantasy football players make the same mistake — drafting players who look shiny on the outside but disappoint once the season kicks off. I’ve been burned too many times, so this year, I’m steering clear of a few big names. Some are injury-prone. Others are buried in complicated offenses. A few just don’t excite me anymore.
Here are 5 players I WILL NOT draft in Fantasy Football this year.
1. Najee Harris (RB – Pittsburgh Steelers)
I get it. Najee’s past volume was wild. He led the NFL in touches in 2021. But that was then. Now? He’s sluggish, and the Steelers’ offense is stuck in the mud. Plus, Jaylen Warren is stealing touches like he’s playing a video game on easy mode.
NFL backs don’t last long without burst, and Najee looks like he’s missing a gear. I want upside — not three yards and a cloud of dust.
2. DeAndre Hopkins (WR – Tennessee Titans)
This one hurts. D-Hop used to be a fantasy god. But now he’s in Tennessee, catching passes from quarterbacks you wouldn’t draft in a 2-QB league.
There’s just not enough volume to go around. The Titans want to run the ball, eat the clock, and win with defense. That means fewer targets and lower ceilings for receivers like Hopkins, no matter how talented they are.
3. Russell Wilson (QB – Pittsburgh Steelers)
I don’t care what the Broncos paid him. I’m not letting Russ cook on my fantasy team. Last season was a disaster. Poor reads, bad decisions, and worse numbers.
Now he’s in Pittsburgh, and while the change of scenery might help a bit, I’m not trusting my QB slot with wishful thinking. There are way too many better late-round QBs this year.
4. Mike Evans (WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
I know what you’re thinking. “Mike Evans has never missed a 1,000-yard season!”
True. But there’s a first time for everything. Baker Mayfield is under center, and I don’t trust that combo to keep the streak alive. Evans is boom or bust, and I hate investing high picks in guys who disappear for weeks at a time.
He’s better in best ball formats, but in redraft? Nah, I’ll pass.
5. Dalvin Cook (RB – Free Agent… ish?)
Dalvin Cook was once a top-tier pick. Now? He’s barely clinging to fantasy relevance. And as of now, he doesn’t even have a team. Maybe he signs somewhere, but he looked completely cooked on the Jets.
Running backs age fast, and the cliff comes quick. Sadly, Cook looks like he’s airborne off that edge. I’m not wasting a roster spot hoping he bounces back.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy is about finding value, minimizing risk, and getting players who can help you WIN. All of the guys above come with red flags. Big ones. Sure, some might still be useful, but not at their current draft cost.
Don’t draft with your heart. Draft with your brain. Let someone else take the risk — and the disappointment.
Now go crush your draft, avoid the landmines, and build a team that wipes the league out by Week 10. Good luck!