This is the case every year in fantasy football: The theory is that you have the choice to take any player, no matter what, because even a guy you don’t want could eventually be good if taken with a lower pick. An overpriced star becomes an underrated asset.
I’d argue that’s not entirely true. Let’s say you draft a guy who’s just OK but you can’t drop him because you wonder if he can get better. So every year, there are always a few players I highlight as DO NOT DRAFT on my cheat sheet, those I won’t take even if they drop to an extremely low price.
MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL: Our Mock Draft 1.0 for a deep first round
That’s what this list is for. In last year’s DO NOT DRAFT post we wrote, I told you to stay away from Cooper Kupp, Kyle Pitts and Najee Harris.
Here’s this year’s list:
I can hear you through your screen: “Bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off.” Yes, I’m telling you to not draft Barkley. Dude totaled nearly 500 TOUCHES through the Eagles’ Super Bowl run, and while he will be a focal point for this offense, I’m just not sure how far he’s going to drop in drafts. Therefore, with a top-five pick that needs to nail a player who’s going to live up to that position, I can’t take him knowing a step back and maybe some missed games are coming.
QBs Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts
This is my annual plea to avoid the top QBs in 1QB leagues and just wait. Names like Bo Nix, Kyler Murray and heck, even Patrick Mahomes can be had and will give you solid productivity from the quarterback position. Instead of spending a top pick on a signal-caller, use those picks on RBs, WRs and even those top TEs if you so choose.
Red flags everywhere! I could see there being a three-headed Jets attack that frustrates managers, and while there were moments of explosive production, those could go down if there’s less volme.
I do this every year. I put him on this list and every year, he proves me wrong. But you’d rather be early on avoiding him than late. Maybe THIS is the year the 31-year-old slows down. There are other backs I’d rather have if age finally catches up with him.
WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
It’s just too much for me. The age concerns, the injury worries, the QB play… I’m worried enough that he’s a DO NOT DRAFT All-Star for me.
There’s no way he can play all 17 games again, right? And with Jordan Mason around, there are alarms about a timeshare. Pass.
WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
I loved him going into last season… and then didn’t during the season. I think having Mark Andrews still there and DeAndre Hopkins aboard — along with the run-heavy offense — gives me pause, enough so that he’s going off my draft board.
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Listen: He’s still a factor in this Chiefs offense. But there are more receivers to feed and as far as tight ends go, he’s OLD. I think there are more names in that area — Tucker Kraft, T.J. Hockenson are two — who intrigue me more.
TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
I see you trying to talk yourself into him again. Just don’t. It’s not worth it.