Simply put, this issue of Fantasy in Five will give you five players to not even touch. If you do happen to possess one on your team, trade him when you get the chance.
1. Kenny Britt- I’m going to start off with a pretty obvious one. Britt has all the talents to be an elite receiver in the league, but his off-field troubles prevent him from doing so. Many owners are selecting him as a second option at wideout this draft, which I think is completely asinine.
What has Britt proven to be selected so high? In the past few years, he’s missed 18 games and is sitting out the whole preseason with a knee injury. Not to mention his recent DUI bust, Britt is literally the poster child of a hit or miss.
The 23-year-old Rutgers alum has to prove himself for a year before I consider him touchable, especially with his health. Speaking of being healthy…
2. Darren McFadden- I feel as though McFadden’s body is made of pure fragile glass. Many people always question why I say he’s someone you can’t have on your team, saying, “He’s the best back in the league if healthy.”
BINGO! He’s never healthy! His draft position (projected as a second rounder) doesn’t tell his tale. In order to be one of my first picks, you have to be solid and consistent. McFadden doesn’t fit the bill. His 2010 campaign was a fluke. Minus that year, he’s never gone over 700 yards for one whole season.
McFadden has too much downside to even have him on my draft board. I’m optimistic the 24-year-old can get healthy eventually, but until then, avoid at all costs.
3. Michael Vick- Most of these players to avoid have rough injury histories or issues off the field. Vick has cleaned up his act, but that hasn’t transitioned into his health.
Out of his nine years in the league, Vick has only played one full season. I think that should scream avoid right there. What’s also killing his stock is the newfound love for staying in the pocket, only having one rushing touchdown last season compared to nine in 2010. Drafting Vick will almost force you to invest in another solid quarterback, and that’s something you wish on nobody.
I know he’s got games where he’ll score you 50 points, but is it worth it when he can’t be consistent? You can’t just play cat and mouse with his starts to hope he’ll go off. If you want to draft Vick, be my guest. The only thing is his negatives outweigh the positives.
4. Frank Gore- You might be surprised as to why I have Gore on this list after last season. But once I explain my side to it, you’ll jump onto my bandwagon of pessimism.
Let’s start off by who will be behind Gore on the depth chart. Those duties belong to Kendall Hunter, Brandon Jacobs and LaMichael James. That already seems like a back committee where Gore gets the main carries, Hunter will be the third down back with Jacobs and also share goal line duties (James possibly a return guy). Another reason is Alex Smith never passes to his backs.
Along with that, he’s had his history of injuries as well. Slowly but surely he’s getting kicked out of that primary role in San Francisco.
5. Jahvid Best- Seriously, is this guy okay? Didn’t he have that one major concussion at California? I’m really concerned for his safety.
He’s another concussion waiting to happen. The one he suffered last season knocked him out for nearly 12 games and still has lingering effects this preseason. I’m really hoping the Detroit Lions take care of Best. Sit him out for a year and let him rehab.
Short and simple, I can’t trust him. The sad part is the kid has potential to be a top 10 back in the league with that talent and would really help Matthew Stafford not have to throw it up to Calvin Johnson every other play. Avoid at all costs.
If you have any questions or players you want me to evaluate like I did here, ask me through email, message me on Facebook, or tweet at me via Twitter.
