Biggest Fantasy Football Busts from the First Half - Patrick Mahomes, Sam LaPorta, C.J. Stroud, Calvin Ridley, Michael Pittman, Christian McCaffrey, more

Mike Fanelli gives some insight on nine players that fantasy football players wish they hadn't drafted this season. What could they do in the second half of the year?

The 2024 fantasy football season is roughly halfway over. Therefore, it’s time to reflect on our fantasy football teams.

Many regret some of their draft decisions. For example, everyone who took Marvin Harrison Jr. over Malik Nabers wants the decision back.

Let’s look at nine of the biggest fantasy football busts so far this season and determine if they can turn it around in the second half of the year.

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Biggest Quarterback Busts

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes is the unquestioned top quarterback in the NFL. However, he has been a massive fantasy football bust. Many drafted the superstar as a top-three quarterback, ahead of Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. Unfortunately, Mahomes is only the QB21 for the season, averaging 14.4 fantasy points per game.

The Chiefs’ wide receiver core has been destroyed by injuries this year. Marquise Brown hasn’t played in the regular season. More importantly, Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury after dominating over the first few weeks. While Kansas City recently traded for DeAndre Hopkins, it won’t be enough for Mahomes to finish as a top-10 quarterback.

Sources: #Chiefs WR Rashee Rice underwent successful LCL surgery today with Dr. Cooper and will miss the remainder of the regular season. A full recovery is expected.

There was also a repair done to Rice’s hamstring tendon, and I’m told there was no structural damage or tears to… pic.twitter.com/pdGOCPWpT1

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 8, 2024

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Many had massive expectations for Stroud after an impressive rookie season. The Texans traded for Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon in the offseason, giving the former Ohio State star an excellent receiving core. However, he is only the QB14 for the year, averaging 14.8 fantasy points per game.

Stroud has scored fewer than 16 fantasy points in 62.5% of the games, including back-to-back contests. However, fantasy players should expect the second-year superstar to play better once Nico Collins returns from a hamstring injury in a few weeks. Yet, Stroud likely will finish the year as a low-end QB1.

Biggest Running Back Busts

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

Unfortunately, McCaffrey hasn’t played this season because of Achilles tendinitis. The superstar running back dealt with a calf injury in training camp. Yet, he seemed on track to play in Week 1. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan became public enemy No. 1 when the 49ers placed McCaffrey on injured reserve.

Thankfully, the superstar running back could make his season debut soon. Reportedly, McCaffrey is poised to return after the team’s Week 9 bye. Fantasy players should expect him to play in two weeks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, everyone should temper their expectations for McCaffrey in his first few games back.

"We have some positive Christian McCaffrey news..

So far has has not had any setbacks during his recovery..

Right now he's poised to get back and play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers" @AdamSchefter #PMSLive #FTTB pic.twitter.com/crXXZvcZ2v

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024

Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Etienne was a popular low-end RB1 draft pick this year. Unfortunately, he has struggled, averaging only 9.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The former Clemson star has only two touchdowns over the first half of the season, scoring both in the first two contests.

Furthermore, Etienne is dealing with a hamstring injury that has forced him to miss the past two games. Meanwhile, Tank Bigsby has played well with the star running back out of the lineup. While Etienne should remain the starter once healthy, the second-year pro will have a meaningful role.

Biggest Wide Receiver Busts

Davante Adams, New York Jets

The Jets traded for Adams a few weeks ago, giving Aaron Rodgers two elite wide receivers. However, the future Hall of Famer’s fantasy value hasn’t improved. Adams averaged 12 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 8.4 or fewer in all but one contest despite seeing nine targets per matchup.

Unfortunately, it has been worse for him in New York. The veteran has 15 targets in two games with the Jets, totaling only 11.9 fantasy points. He has had fewer than 55 receiving yards and 7.5 fantasy points in both contests. It’s been a rough few weeks for Adams.

Since October 13th, Davante Adams has:

Lost to the Steelers
Traded to the Jets
Lost to the Steelers
Lost to the Patriots pic.twitter.com/RQiOJbrCEe

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) October 27, 2024

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans

Raise your hand if you started Ridley in Week 8. Now, put it down because you’re lying. The veteran averaged six targets and 6.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the first seven weeks, totaling 6.5 or fewer fantasy points in all but one contest. By comparison, Ridley had 17.6 fantasy points in the blowout loss in Week 8.

Fantasy players must be frustrated with the former Alabama star. While he saw an uptick in targets on Sunday, Ridley has struggled despite a solid target share over the first seven weeks. Unfortunately, there is no reason to think that the veteran wide receiver can turn things around unless he gets dealt before next week’s trade deadline.

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Aiyuk had an outstanding 2023 season, totaling 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns despite having only 75 receptions. While his offseason was full of drama because of contract negotiations, the star receiver got a new deal done before Week 1. Unfortunately, he never showed up for fantasy players.

The veteran is the WR56 for the year, averaging 7.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Aiyuk scored 18.7 fantasy points in Week 5. However, he scored 7.3 or fewer fantasy points in every other contest. Unfortunately, Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk does, in fact, have a torn ACL and MCL, per sources after the MRI. There may be other damage.

His season is over, with a long road back for 2025. This is what coach Kyle Shanahan and SF believed following the game. pic.twitter.com/Ju5nxlgDLC

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2024

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Many had concerns about Pittman during fantasy football draft season. The veteran wide receiver has been a volume-based pass catcher, totaling 15 touchdowns over his first four years in the NFL. More importantly, Anthony Richardson was back under center after playing in only four games as a rookie because of a shoulder injury.

Unfortunately, the second-year quarterback has severely struggled this season, crushing his wide receivers’ fantasy value. Pittman is the WR43 for the year, averaging only 7.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unless the Colts bench Richardson for Joe Flacco, fantasy players shouldn’t expect Pittman to turn things around in the second half of the season.

Biggest Tight End Busts

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

LaPorta had an all-time rookie season, ending the year as the TE1 in half-point PPR scoring. Therefore, many felt comfortable drafting him as the first tight end off the board in 2024. Unfortunately, the second-year pro is only the TE14 over the first eight weeks, averaging seven fantasy points per game.

Last week, LaPorta had his second touchdown this year, catching a pass from David Montgomery off a trick play. However, he had six targets and 13.8 fantasy points, both season highs. The Lions have one of the top offenses in the NFL. Therefore, fantasy players should have high hopes for LaPorta to build on his Week 8 success.

trick AND treat 😈@montgomerdavid 🎯 @Samlaporta#TENvsDET 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/NSDqy7DnJB

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 27, 2024

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