With fantasy draft season starting up, it is a good time to take a look at some bust candidates for the 2023 fantasy football season.
In fantasy, it is common to have a player who disappoints at the end of each season. The most accurate way to describe this player would be a “bust”. By closely monitoring the off-season news, it is possible to prevent selecting a player who might end up being a disappointment whether it be due to injury or off-season acquisitions. Here are three players trending to be bust candidates for 2023’s fantasy football season.
[cta id=445 type=cta]
Three Bust Candidates for the 2023 Fantasy Football Season
Christian Kirk, Wide Receiver, Jaguars
The Jaguars signed Christian Kirk in March 2022 to provide more support for Trevor Lawrence. Their strong chemistry was evident right from the start. In the full point-per-reception (PPR) Yahoo Leagues, Kirk managed to score over 15 points in his first three games. But, after the Jaguars’ Week 11 bye, he only achieved this feat once, which was during Week 13 against the Detroit Lions.
The reason for the regression? Lawrence discovered that, apart from Kirk, there were other options on the offense. It is well known that Travis Etienne is a valuable asset. Following the Jaguars’ bye week, Zay Jones and Evan Engram emerged as notable players. This resulted in Kirk being somewhat overlooked. This is illustrated by their performances in 2022’s Week 14:
- Evan Engram (11 receptions, 162 yards, 2 TDs)
- Zay Jones (8 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD)
- Christian Kirk (5 receptions, 45 yards, 0)
Kirk now has another teammate to take targets away from him. In November, the Jaguars traded for recently-reinstated wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Before his suspension, Ridley was a superstar on the rise. After a year out of the league, he is now ready to give his all for his new team, though some have questioned whether he will be in NFL-shape come the regular season.
Derrick Henry, Running Back, Titans
Over the last seven seasons, Derrick Henry has been dominating defenses. Henry’s combination of size and speed is unmatched, as he stands at 6’3″ and weighs 250 pounds.
However, the Titans offensive line has changed, and it looks like Henry will be facing a challenge running behind possibly one of the weakest lines in the NFL this season. Among the changes was the release of Pro Bowl offensive lineman, Taylor Lewan. The team replenished their woeful 2022 line with three new starters this off-season. However, to support a player like Henry, it is crucial to maintain continuity on the offensive line.
Henry is one of the top workhorses in the league with almost 400 touches in 2020. Unfortunately, he suffered a foot injury in the following season. Henry’s high number of touches last season could impact him this year, as the Titans have few offensive options beyond him.
Mark Andrews, Tight End, Ravens
For many years, Mark Andrews has been Lamar Jackson’s go-to receiver. However, the Ravens recognized the need for more offensive weapons this off-season in order to better support the team.
Jackson is expected to throw more passes this season due to new off-season additions like Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor, and rookie Zay Flowers. His highest pass attempts in a season is 401. It is also important to consider the impact of Isaiah Likely, and the presence of the dynamic Rashod Bateman (when healthy), so will there be enough targets for Andrews?
Jackson’s impressive collection of tools would make even Bob Vila jealous. New offensive coordinator Todd Monken plans to switch up the offense with more spread concepts and creativity in the pass game. This means that Andrews will have fewer chances to get targeted as he is competing with his teammates.
Main Photo: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY NETWORK
