Fantasy football busts: RB - Week 4

September 30, 2010 @ 15:50:00

By Cory J. Bonini and Bryce McRae
Edited by Bryce McRae and Cory J. Bonini

Fantasy football busts: QB | RB | WR | TE | PK | DT

In this article KFFL breaks down fantasy football busts of the week. Some high-level players will be included, because you need to know when is time to sit a player even though it may not seem appropriate. Primarily, however, we will address the midrange to low-end fantasy options that you rack your brain over each week. Read on to learn which of these players that you wouldn't want in your lineup.

Note: All statistical averages are from Week 1 to Week 3, unless otherwise stated.

Fantasy football busts: Running backs

Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears

Fantasy value: Low-end No. 2 

Don't expect much from Bradshaw

• New York's starter, Bradshaw is averaging 17.3 attempts, 84.3 yards and 0.67 scores per game on the ground. He has contributed an additional 2.33 aerial touches for 15.7 yards per contest. Bradshaw has averaged 4.9 yards per carry.
• No team has played stouter defense against the run than the Bears. This unit is allowing just 2.1 average yards per carry on 16.7 average attempts, good for a measly 34.7 yards per game. They have given up two rushing scores in three games, though, both scores came in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. Bradshaw could find some success catching out of the backfield; Chicago has given up an average of 6.33 receptions for 37.3 yards and 0.33 scores per game to running backs through the air.
• Keep Bradshaw in your lineup just don't expect his usual output. He is in position to post slightly better figures in leagues that award points for receptions.

Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals at San Diego Chargers

Fantasy value: No. 2 or No. 3 for both

• Wells returned in Week 3 from a knee injury that cost him the first two games of the year. He rushed for 75 yards on 14 carries in his debut. Wells didn't catch a pass or score. Hightower, after two big fantasy weeks to start the season, posted a stinker against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3. He averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, finishing with 40 yards on the ground and nothing through the air.
• The Chargers could provide Hightower some leeway in the passing game, but on the ground, it has been tough sledding for San Diego's first three opponents. Outside of a big run allowed in the first game of the year, this group has held opposing backs in check (87.7 rushing yards, 0.33 TDs allowed per week).
  Through the air, ball carriers have been able to enjoy a little more success. The Bolts have yielded an average of 4.00 receptions for 38.5 yards per game. All said, backs have been posting 125.7 combined yards per outing against the Chargers.
• Both Wells and Hightower are playable options, but you may want to keep your hopes in check. The Chargers have cracked down on allowing touchdowns after surrendering a Week 1 score to the Kansas City Chiefs' Jamaal Charles. Unless either Wells or Hightower breaks a long run, finding paydirt seems like an unlikely prospect for this duo in Week 4.

NEW - Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

Fantasy value: No. 1 or No. 2

• Teams have been testing Cleveland's run defense. Opposing backs are averaging 28.3 rushing attempts per game (sixth most), which is the main reason the Browns are giving up 110.0 rushing yards per game to this position (10th). However, opposing backs are averaging just 3.9 yards per carry (tied for 22nd) and haven't found the end zone yet.
• Benson played just once against Cleveland last year, in Week 4, when The Entertainer ran for 74 yards on 18 carries (4.1 yards per carry). He also didn't find the end zone.
• The Browns' D will probably be focused on Benson given the way Cincy's passing offense, notably quarterback Carson Palmer, has struggled.
  Also, Cleveland's mammoth defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip) is expected to practice tomorrow; Benson is a rumbler that finds a lot of his work going into the line, or Rogers' domain. The 350-pound tackle should help the interior of Cleveland's line stop Benson.

Fantasy football busts: QB | RB | WR | TE | PK | DT

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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