The fantasy football season comes with its fair share of surprises. Managers come together to compete against friends, families, and peers during the regular season. It adds excitement to the NFL season and allows fans to develop a deeper connection with the gridiron. The finishes of fantasy campaigns are almost unpredictable. An unproductive season from a superstar player does more harm than good - especially as we near the post-season.
Which NFL players have been the biggest disappointments for competitive Fantasy Football owners?
NFL Fantasy Football Disappointment #5: Minnesota Vikings WR, Justin Jefferson
Finding a generational talent is easier said than done. The NFL Draft has become an avenue franchises use to bring in new talent. There's been a handful of draft busts within the last several years. Justin Jefferson is the furthest thing. The former first-round receiver has become one of the league's most dangerous wideouts. He's earned over 5,000 yards receiving in four years on the gridiron.
A hamstring injury forced Jefferson to miss two months of the regular season. It's affected his relationship with fantasy managers around the world. Last season, Jefferson ranked first in fantasy points by wide receivers (368.7). His absences this year dropped the fourth-year star to 47th in the rankings this campaign. We expect Justin Jefferson to make a difference when he rejoins his team. There's still time for him to collect a few more points.
NFL Fantasy Football Disappointment #4: San Francisco 49ers WR, Debo Samuels
Innovations to offensive schemes are changing how coordinators utilize skill players. Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers are masterminds at creating mismatches on the field. They've used their Pro Bowl wide receiver in various ways within the last three seasons. It's helped Deebo Samuels establish a respected reputation among his peers throughout the league. An eye for the endzone makes the fifth-year wideout a threat on the gridiron. He has big-play ability but has struggled to duplicate his results from previous seasons.
An impressive outburst in 2021 helped San Francisco's veteran receiver earn more reps on the field. Kyle Shanahan relied on the franchise's former second-round pick to take control of the offense. Samuels had his best year as a professional. He recorded 365 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on only 59 attempts. His 1,405 receiving yards became Samuel's new career high. It's been tough sledding since 2001, but the 49ers hope their X-factor can still make a difference. He has made the same impact but plans to finish the season strong. No.19 ranks 25th in fantasy points (155) by wideouts.
NFL Fantasy Football Disappointment #3: Cincinnati Bengals QB, Joe Burrow
A rough start to the new campaign caused Zac Taylor's squad to fall behind in Conference standings. The Cincinnati Bengals lost their first two games of the season to divisional opponents. Joe Burrow looked horrible, and fans grew concerned. He was limited to 300 yards passing in eight quarters of action. This was far from the AFC performances we've witnessed in recent years.
It's taken the former first-round pick a few weeks to adjust. A three-touchdown performance against the 49ers helped Burrow rebuild his confidence. He followed that performance with a 31-17 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. The future looks promising for Burrow, but it may be too late for him to make a fantasy comeback. Cincinnati's quarterback suffered a season-ending torn ligament in his right hand in a loss to the Ravens.
NFL Fantasy Football Disappointment #2: New York Giants RB, Saquon Barkley
An off-season full of injury speculation made the New York Giants a team to watch entering the 2023 campaign. Success in 2022 led many to believe Brian Daboll's team was ready to take the next leap. Saquon Barkley was the catalyst for New York's playoff berth. He finished the season ranked fourth in rushing yards (1,426) and fifth in rushing touchdowns. His production on the gridiron helped the former first-round pick finish fifth in fantasy points (284) among running backs.
Distractions and other issues hindered Barkley's success this season The New York Giants are one of the worst teams in football (25th) entering Week 14. The focus changed from feeding X-Factor's to winning games by any means. Rushing the football is hard when you're always behind on the scoreboard. It's led to fewer carries (165), fantasy points (142.5), and yards (698) for football's most explosive rusher.
NFL Fantasy Football Disappointment #1: Baltimore Ravens QB, Lamar Jackson
Dual-threat quarterbacks are a cheat code in the NFL. We've seen general managers invest in X-Factors that thrive on the ground and in the air. They can outrun incoming tacklers and throw darts over defensive backs. Lamar Jackson is the poster child for dynamic quarterbacks. He's earned respect from peers early in his career. Jackson's dominance makes the Baltimore Ravens a better team. They are enjoying the thrills of a successful season despite inconsistencies.
Fantasy managers draft dual-threat quarterbacks to earn points in multiple categories. A decrease in the Raven's quarterback's production is causing fans to lose pivotal games. Lamar Jackson ranked first in fantasy points (421.7) among gunslingers after the 2019 season. He's scored 227.1 entering a Week 14 match-up against the Los Angeles Rams. It's unclear if Jackson will reach his previous benchmark.
The final stretch of NFL games will keep fantasy managers on their toes. Playoff implications rest on the shoulders of the gridiron's most lethal players. They must play well to secure a Fantasy Football championship.
All statistics courtesy of pff.om