In one of our earlier blogs, we discussed the 5 biggest breakout stars of 2011. Now, we’ll discuss the exact opposite: The players that underperformed and have driven fantasy football owners crazy with their lack of points (through Week 12). We are discounting severely injured players. Those players are disappointing, but it’s not their fault. The rankings show pre-season positional rankings from Fantasy Healthball, NFL and Yahoo sites.
Here are the top 5 busts this season to date:
5. Reggie Wayne: WR, Colts, Healthball Pre-season Rank: 16; NFL: 2; Yahoo: 9; Actual Rank 35.
While Wayne’s underperformance isn’t that shocking considering that he hasn’t had a good quarterback throwing to him this season. Even so, his numbers should be higher. He carried a Top-Ten Pre-season ranking from both NFL and Yahoo, and before last week, he hadn’t gotten a touchdown since week 1. As the main receiving threat on the Colts, that is unacceptable.

Why? Why? Why?
4. Rashard Mendenhall: RB, Steelers, Healthball Pre-season Rank: 9; NFL: 6; Yahoo: 6; Actual Rank 25.
Mendenhall was drafted in the first round of a lot of drafts this year. He was ranked Top-Ten by Healthball, NFL and Yahoo. And he has turned out to have the numbers of a backup running back. Now, he is hampered a bit since the Ravens and Bengals are in his division and rank #3 and #5 overall vs. the run. Even so, Mendenhall is on pace for 400 fewer yards than last season. Not what we were expecting from a Top-Ten pick.
3. Mike Williams: WR, Buccaneers, Healthball Pre-season Rank: 9; NFL: 17; Yahoo: 11; Actual Rank 42.
Williams’ start of the season was horrible, averaging 4.52 points per game during the first 5 weeks. However, he still has the most receiving yards on the team. Unfortunately, that is not much of an accomplishment as the Buccaneers have only managed 4 wins this season. He was drafted by most teams to be their number 1 wide receiver and he is not even owned in around 20% of leagues. Williams will need to have a strong finish to justify his lofty pre-season ranking.
2. Phillip Rivers: QB, Chargers, Our Projected Rank 4; NFL: 3; Yahoo: 4; Actual Rank 12.
With multiple receiver injuries this season, Rivers hasn’t received much help. But, when he has worse numbers than quarterbacks like Mark Sanchez, there is a huge problem! He has the most interceptions in the league. In fact, he has fewer touchdowns than interceptions this season and you can’t pin that entirely on the wide receivers. Rivers is a huge bust this season, but he doesn’t earn our top spot on this list…
1. Chris Johnson: RB, Titans, Our Projected Rank 3; NFL: 4; Yahoo 4; Actual Rank 20.
Johnson was one of the top five players drafted in almost every draft this year, and his numbers match that of a 3rd round running back. He’s coming off of a 2,000 yard season, and he’s hoping he’ll scrape up a 1,000 yard season this year. He also has only 2 touchdowns this season. With two games against the woeful Colts defense, which has the 31st rushing defense in the league, you would think Johnson could have 2 touchdowns in each of those games. Johnson has had a miserable campaign, and his owners are wishing he would have just held out the entire season.
There is still plenty of time to play some Fantasy Healthball this season. When it comes to your health, you don’t want to be a bust! Here is how to play in a nutshell. Match your healthpoints against the weekly points from your fantasy football opponent to see if you get a win or a loss for the week. Put together a string of victories and watch your health improve. Drop us a line for more advice or with questions. — Fantasy Healthball (the book)