Just as there are surprises every year in fantasy, there are busts, too. It can be because of injuries, a change in style, a general decline, or a shocking down season. It happens every year, and 2024 was no different. Here are the biggest Fantasy Football 2024 busts by position.
Fantasy Football 2024 Busts
Quarterback
Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson only played four games as a rookie in 2023 but showed tremendous fantasy promise. His rushing ability, touchdown threat, and ability to throw deep give him colossal potential. However, many did not account for his age and inconsistencies. Richardson had a few injuries this season, but he also got benched for Joe Flacco for a short stretch.
Richardson did score six rushing touchdowns in 11 games, but he also threw 12 interceptions and only eight passing touchdowns. He had four games of over 20 fantasy points, but three came after Week 10 when managers would have been forced to find another starting quarterback for their teams. He also had six games of 13 points or less.
Richardson finished as the QB25 in total points and the QB18 in points per game. He had an ADP of QB6, but he went higher than that in many leagues. Maybe next year is the year Richardson capitalizes on his potential, but 2024 was too soon.
Honorable Mention: C.J. Stroud
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.
The most obvious choice is Christian McCaffrey, who was the consensus first pick in redraft leagues. However, McCaffrey’s issue was injuries, not poor play, and many people who drafted McCaffrey were able to get ahold of backup Jordan Mason, so the damage was limited. Instead, the pick is Travis Etienne Jr. Etienne had a phenomenal 2023 season, finishing as the RB3 in fantasy and recording nearly 1,500 scrimmage yards.
Naturally, Etienne flew up draft boards in 2024 with an ADP of 17 overall and the RB8. He was typically drafted before names like Derrick Henry, De’Von Achane, and Josh Jacobs. 2024 could not have gone worse for Etienne. He finished as the RB35 despite only missing two games due to injury. He also lost his starting job to Tank Bigsby and only scored two touchdowns all season. Those two touchdowns came in the first two weeks, meaning he didn’t score for the last 16 weeks of the season.
He didn’t score more than 15 fantasy points in a game all season, and now his future in Jacksonville is uncertain. Etienne is the biggest of all the 2024 fantasy football busts.
Honorable Mention: Christian McCaffrey
Wide Receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr.
Deebo Samuel started the season quite strongly; he had two games of 18 fantasy points. He then dealt with a few niggling injuries, but nothing significant, only missing two games all season. When Brandon Aiyuk went down with a torn ACL, Samuel looked set to be the WR1 in San Francisco. However, his play inexplicably fell off a cliff.
Samuel had drop issues and was ineffective when used in the backfield. Samuel had previously thrived with Aiyuk out, but he was unstartable by the end of the season in 2024. From Week 11 to 16, Samuel didn’t score more than 6.1 fantasy points in a game. This is a player many expected to be a top 10 WR once Aiyuk went down and a top 20 WR even with Aiyuk.
Instead, Samuel finished as the WR44 despite being a consensus 4th-round pick and a top-15 WR in drafts. It remains to be seen what team Samuel will play for in 2025.
Honorable Mention: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Tight End
Dalton Kincaid
It was a rough year for tight ends, but even so, Dalton Kincaid was a huge flop. The Buffalo Bills lost Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs in the offseason, so Kincaid was primed for a more prominent role. However, it simply didn’t happen for Kincaid. His 44 receptions and 448 yards were significant decreases from his rookie season.
He also only scored two touchdowns. Josh Allen had an MVP-caliber season, but he spread out his targets between several players. Kincaid had an overall ADP of 51, yet he finished as the TE20 in points per game and the TE30 overall. It’s only his second season, so it would be foolish to count him out, but like Anthony Richardson, it may have been a season or two too soon for Kincaid.
Honorable Mention: Sam LaPorta
Main Image: Isaiah J. Downing – USA Today Sports
