Several factors go into building a winning fantasy football 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 fantasy football roster, I will identify the most likely bust candidate and potential league winner for every NFL team.
Today, I give my busts and league-winner candidates from the AFC East teams – the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets.
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Fantasy Football Draft Busts & League Winners: AFC East
Potential Bust Candidates
James Cook (BUF): ADP 58.5 | RB13
Cook was the RB11 last season, averaging 12.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The second-year player had a featured role in 2023, accounting for 62.2% of the backfield’s rushing attempts and 62.8% of the targets. However, he had only two rushing touchdowns, half of Latavius Murray’s rushing total. Cook had the fourth-most rushing yards last season but will see his workload lightened after the Bills drafted Ray Davis. While his chances of being a massive bust are slim, the former Georgia star is slightly overpriced at his RB13 ADP.
De’Von Achane (MIA): ADP 24.9 | RB7
The former Texas A&M star was outstanding as a rookie, averaging 7.8 yards per rushing attempt. Furthermore, Achane was the RB4 on a points-per-game basis. However, he struggled with injuries, missing six games and leaving others early. The star rookie’s fantasy average was inflated by one massive performance, scoring 27.8% of his fantasy point total for the year in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. More importantly, Miami kept Raheem Raheem Mostert and drafted Jaylen Wright this offseason, making Achane part of a crowding backfield.
Rhamondre Stevenson (NE): ADP 82.1 | RB20
New England has one of the least appealing offenses for fantasy players this year. Stevenson is the only Patriot with an ADP inside the top 140, making him the only potential bust candidate on the team. The former Oklahoma star had a disappointing 2023 season after breaking out the year before. While he recently signed a long-term contract, New England also signed Antonio Gibson this offseason. Fantasy players shouldn’t avoid drafting Stevenson. However, there are some concerns with the third-year running back, which could lead to him being a bust.
Garrett Wilson (NYJ): ADP 10.8 | WR8
While fantasy players should have no problem drafting Wilson as the eighth wide receiver off the board, his 10.8 ADP is too high. Hopefully, Aaron Rodgers will return to his MVP form in 2024 after tearing his Achilles four snaps into last year. Meanwhile, fantasy players are drafting the former Ohio State star at his ceiling, leaving no room for upside value. The Jets added multiple weapons this offseason, meaning Wilson will struggle to see the 25.7% target share he has had in his NFL career this upcoming season.
Potential League Winners
Curtis Samuel (BUF): ADP 92.2 | WR50
Buffalo made massive changes to their receiving core this offseason, replacing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis with Keon Coleman and Samuel. While Dalton Kincaid is the biggest benefactor from the offseason moves, his ADP takes him out of the league-winner conversation. Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if Samuel is the team’s leading wide receiver. The veteran has struggled on an awful Washington Commanders offense the past few years. However, Samuel was the WR25, averaging 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game the last time Joe Brady was his offensive coordinator.
Jaylen Wright (MIA): ADP 152.4 | RB47
Wright was a popular pick in dynasty rookie drafts after the Dolphins traded a 2025 third-round pick to select for the former Tennessee star. He had the second-best yards after contact per attempt average (4.35) among running backs, with at least 60 rushing attempts in the rookie class last year (per PFF). Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane have struggled to stay healthy in their careers. Therefore, Wright could find himself in a featured role for one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL at some point this season.
Javon Baker (NE): ADP 193.1 | WR83
The Patriots have arguably the worst receiving core in the NFL. However, fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised if Baker shines as a rookie. We have seen NFL Draft Day 3 picks turn into fantasy stars as rookies, including Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The former UCF star had the 11th-high PFF receiving grade in the draft class last season and posted a higher yards per route run average than Rome Odunze (3.21 vs. 2.93). Baker could quickly turn into the go-to target for Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye.
Mike Williams (NYJ): ADP 116.6 | WR57
Unfortunately, Williams will likely start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Yet, the veteran expects to play on opening weekend. He was the WR15 over the first three weeks last year before tearing his ACL, averaging 13.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, Aaron Rodgers has produced two fantasy WR1s in the same season multiple times in his career. While the veteran won’t be a top-15 guy in 2024, Williams should easily outperform his WR57 ADP if he is ready for Week 1.
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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.
