Several factors go into building a winning best ball team. One of those factors is identifying which players will let your team down and bust. Another is knowing which players have league-winning upside, especially in the later rounds. To help you build an elite best ball roster, I will identify the most likely bust candidate and potential league winner for every NFL team.
Today I break down the NFC East teams: the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders.
- AFC Busts & League Winners: East | North | South | West
- More Fantasy Football Advice
- Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
Fantasy Football Busts
The ADP used for this article comes from Underdog Fantasy.
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL): ADP 106.1 | QB12
Last year Prescott was the QB19, averaging 16.6 fantasy points per game. While he missed five games with a thumb injury, the veteran was only the QB14 on a points-per-game basis last season. More importantly, the star quarterback’s production slipped without Amari Cooper. Prescott averaged 278.1 passing yards, 2.3 passing touchdowns, and 0.6 interceptions per game in 2021. By comparison, he averaged 238.3 passing yards, 1.9 passing touchdowns, and 1.3 interceptions per game last year. Meanwhile, the Cowboys want to run the ball more this season. Prescott lacks the upside to warrant his ADP in best ball drafts. Fantasy players should instead draft Kirk Cousins (ADP 112.7) a few picks later.
Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG): ADP 19.9 | RB6
Thankfully the superstar stayed healthy last season after dealing with injuries over the previous three years. Barkley was the RB6 in 2022, averaging 16 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, his production declined in the second half. He was the RB4, averaging 18.4 fantasy points per game and 4.7 yards per rushing attempt over the first 10 weeks. By comparison, Barkley was the RB16, averaging 12.9 fantasy points per game and four yards per rushing attempt over the final eight weeks last year. While he’s eased concerns with his new contract, given the high cost and last year’s second-half struggles, Barkley is on my do-not-draft list.
D’Andre Swift (RB – PHI): ADP 78.2 | RB23
Swift has struggled to stay healthy and handle a full workload. Yet, his success in the passing game has kept him in the RB2 conversation. The veteran has averaged 3.9 receptions on 5.1 targets for 30 receiving yards per game for his career. However, Swift won’t have that level of targets in Philadelphia. Last year the Eagles’ running backs accounted for only an 11 percent target share. Furthermore, the team has two elite wide receivers and a star tight end, something the Detroit Lions didn’t have the past few years. While Swift now has one of the top offensive lines in the NFL, his drop in passing game work makes him a reach as the 23rd running back off the board.
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS): ADP 111.7 | RB37
Everyone was excited about Robinson last season. Unfortunately, he got shot during a carjacking and missed the first four weeks. Robinson was only the RB41 in 2022, averaging nine half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he lacked the “pop” or “spike” weeks, scoring more than 12.1 fantasy points only twice. Meanwhile, the Commanders drafted Chris Rodriguez Jr. in April. The rookie has a similar game to Robinson and could cut into his role. More importantly, Antonio Gibson has gotten all the hype this offseason. Damien Harris and De’Von Achane have a lower ADP than Robinson. Yet, I would draft both before the second-year back.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
