Quarterback: Jay Cutler
Many people this summer avoided drafting a QB early (such as Rodgers, Brady or Brees) until the later, in hopes that they would find a good QB in the weening rounds. Many people (including myself in one league) drafted Cutler in the 10th round, thinking it was a steal and passing up on RGIII and Luck (6th and 12th ranked QBs respectively). Cutler, who throws interceptions like it's his job, has been a huge disappointment in fantasy land, especially for owners banking on his success.
Running Back 1: Darren McFadden
Everybody always says "as long as DMC is healthy, he is one of the best RBs in the NFL;" however, this year he remained healthy for the first 9 weeks, injuring himself in week 10 against the Ravens. DMC is someone many people drafted (sadly I am of this group) to be their lead back and he is only the 23rd ranked RB in the NFL at this point. If someone told you at the beginning of the season that DMC would be healthy through week 9, people would assume that he would be a top 5 rb or at the very least a top 10 back. DMC has put up a pedestrian season with only two rushing touchdowns and two games where he topped the century mark.
Running Back 2: Ryan Mathews
There have always been Ryan Mathews naysayers shouting, "Mike Tolbert is going to vulture all his TDs!" or "He is as brittle as a ginger bread house!" But every year one owner takes a risk and drafts him, dreaming that he will have the same success that LT had under Norv Turner in San Diego. Again, these owners look back with teary eyes on the fatal day when they decided to take Mathews in the second or third round. After missing the first two weeks with a clavicle injury (shocker), Mathews has yet to top the century mark in any of his seven games this year, only adding one touchdown to those weak numbers. Mathews this year is 27th among runnings backs and continues to be one of the most frustrating fantasy players to own due to his immense talent and lack of production. O ya, and I drafted Ryan Mathews in one of my leagues as well...Wide Receiver 1: Dez Bryant
Every year NFL Analysts and fantasy football writers have featured Dez Bryant on their lists of "Breakout" candidates, yet each year the only thing he manages to break is the hearts of his fantasy owners. Dez Bryant is physically blessed with a combination of speed and physicality that Wide Receivers dream of and is a featured WR in a pass happy offense led by Tony Romo. Additionally, coverages cannot focus on him due to Murray, Miles Austin and Witten. This year Dez has only topped 100 yards two times and has only reeled in three TDs. He has been held below twenty yards in three games this year! What is stopping Dez from being a top WR in the NFL? Nobody knows, but when he figures it out he will terrorize cornerbacks throughout the league.
Wide Receiver 2: Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson has been a fixture in the first and second round of fantasy football drafts for the past few years. It is now officially time for the fantasy football world to open realize that the texans are a run first team who do not need to force Johnson the ball for 60 minutes each sunday. His days of challenging Larry Fitzgerald (another bust this year) and Calvin Johnson as the top WR are behind him. This year he was taken in the second round in most leagues and he is the 35th WR in fantasy this year. Absolutely mind blowing. Who would have guessed that this year Andre Johnson would not only be behind 34 other WRs, but would also not even be the best WR with the first name Andre in fantasy football: Andre Roberts of the Cardinals has bested the "other Andre" as he is now known, coming in as the 23rd ranked WR.
Wide Receiver 3: Brandon Lloyd
When Lloyd signed a three year deal with the Pats in the offseason all fantasy enthusiasts made a mental note. Everybody assumed he would thrive: one of the best QBs, one of the most pass-happy offenses in the League, and, on top of all that, he would be reunited with Josh McDaniels (under whom in Denver Lloyd had 77 catches for 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns). We have seen Randy Moss come to the Pats and thrive and we have seen Chad Ochocinco (who I drafted over Wes Welker the year they were both with the Pats...) fall flat on his face. Everybody was ready for greatness, but Lloyd has only disappointed thus far, breaking 100 yards only once and only receiving two TDs. Lloyd is ranked 39th among WRs at this point and has shown no indications of breaking out.
Tight End: Jacob Tamme
Many people thought Tamme would shine with Peyton, as they once did in Indy a few years back when Dallas Clark got injured, opening the door for Tamme to step in as Peyton's go to guy. Many people thought Tamme's chemistry with Manning would return when the two were reunited in Denver; Tamme sat atop almost every list of sleepers as one of the top TEs. It didn't even matter if he was good: Manning makes any WR good simply because they are catching the ball from the football wizard himself. Tamme has yet to surpass 50 yards on the year and has not found the endzone since week 1. Just listen to some of the TEs who are ahead of him right now: Tom Crabtree, Dwayne Allen, Brandon Myers, and Dennis Pitta to name a few. Tamme, who many drafted in hopes of him being a top 10 TE, is sitting as the 26th TE. Defense/Special Teams: Steelers
Feared as one of the top defensive units only a season ago, the Steelers are ranked at the bottom of the league in fantasy as the 26th ranked D.
PS: If I drafted this team at the start of the season.. I would be very excited. Oh how fantasy football breaks your heart.
Injuries that killed drafters this year:
Greg Jennings (I took him in the second round in one league, but luckily got a big sleeper in Torrey Smith to fill the void)
Murray
MJD
Aaron Hernandez
Hakeem Nicks (I took him over Victor Cruz in two leagues this year... I hate myself)
If you drafted any of these guys you may feel like this guy:
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