While NFL teams have an offseason, there is no such thing for fantasy football players. Best Ball drafts are happening right now and are a great way to scratch the fantasy football itch we all have all year. Unlike season-long leagues, in Best Ball, you draft and forget until the season is over. It’s also a great way to have exposure to several fantasy players without needing to manage three dozen leagues during the regular season. When drafting Best Ball, the most important part is to target players with upside. However, it is just as important not to draft players with limited upside or players with a massive downside. Here are four players I am avoiding in my Best Ball drafts.
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Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG): ADP 25.8 | RB12
Over the past few years, Barkley has turned into one of the bigger busts in fantasy football. After averaging 19.3 fantasy points per game over the first two years of his career, Barkley has averaged only 9.4 fantasy points per game the past two years. Furthermore, he has struggled with injuries the past few seasons. He played all 16 games his rookie year but has missed 55 percent of the games over the past two years. Meanwhile, the Giants have explored trading Barkley this offseason. While everyone hopes Barkley can return his rookie form, that is unlikely. There is no reason why he should be a top-12 running back. Right behind Barkley are Antonio Gibson and Cam Akers. Both running backs have more upside and a safer floor than Barkley.
Chase Edmonds (RB – MIA): ADP 125.4 | RB39
A few minutes in the start of free agency, the Dolphins signed Edmonds to a two-year contract worth just over $12 million. However, they also signed Raheem Mostert to a one-year deal worth slightly over $3 million a few days later. Even after signing two veterans in free agency, the Dolphins still might use a draft pick on a rookie running back. New head coach Mike Daniel comes from the San Francisco 49ers. Under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have a history of riding the hot hand in the backfield. As a top 40 running back, you want a player with upside and a safe floor. However, there will be weeks where Edmonds has a limited role. Running backs I prefer with a later ADP includes Gus Edwards and James Cook.
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA): ADP 46.5 | WR21
After the Russell Wilson trade, both Lockett and D.K. Metcalf (ADP 23.8 | WR11) have very cloudy futures. The drop-off from Wilson to Drew Lock or any other quarterback is massive, especially for Lockett. In the three games without Wilson last season, Lockett averaged only nine fantasy points per game, scoring under five fantasy points in two of those games. He scored under 11.5 fantasy points in 56.3 percent of the games last season. Furthermore, Lockett scored under 5.5 fantasy points in 37.5 percent of the games. By comparison, he scored over 16.5 fantasy points in only 31.3 percent of the games last year, with Wilson on the team. Unless Lockett gets traded, he is someone I’m avoiding in Best Ball drafts.
Gabriel Davis (WR – BUF): ADP 66.3 | WR32
Everyone was very impressed with his performance in the playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Davis has done very little so far in his career during the regular season. In 32 career games, Davis has scored under six fantasy points in 53.1 percent of them. Furthermore, despite an 18.6 percent touchdown rate in his career, Davis has scored more than 13 fantasy points in only five games. While some believe Davis breaks out this upcoming season, they had the same hopes after the 2020 season. Instead, the Bills signed Emmanuel Sanders in free agency. Then Davis finished the season fourth on the team, averaging only 6.8 fantasy points per game. Wide receivers I prefer with a later ADP include Brandin Cooks and Jerry Jeudy.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive follow him @Mike_NFL2.
