It’s not always easy to admit when you’re wrong. In doing this job, I’ve been wrong a lot — and you’ve let me know about it, which is fair. I should be held accountable for my mistakes.
So far, I’ve done two versions of bust lists for this season. The first one was in early May and the second one was in late July.
Things have changed for several players on those two lists, and my outlook for them has changed as well. It could be injuries to teammates or just a better Average Draft Position.
But these players should no longer be considered busts in 2026:
Check out whose on the Fantasy Football must-draft list for Jamey and the entire Fantasy Football Today team!
Leaving the busts list
Travis Etienne
My initial fear was he would be sharing touches with Alvin Kamara, and Kellen Moore doesn’t have a great track record throwing to his running backs. The work in the passing game could still be a problem for Etienne, but Kamara suffered a sprained MCL on Aug. 18 and could miss the start of the season — if not longer. Etienne should be headed for a hefty workload, and Kamara might not be much of a factor for the first half of the season. Etienne’s CBS Sports ADP is at 40.4, and that might be too low. You can argue he’s a Round 3 pick now that Kamara is injured.
Malik Nabers
I was concerned Nabers might not be ready for Week 1 coming off last year’s torn ACL and meniscus tear in his right knee, but he appears on track for the start of the season. Heading into the third week of the preseason, Nabers has yet to take part in team drills, but that is expected to happen soon. As long as he doesn’t suffer a setback, Nabers is worth drafting in Round 3 as a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver. I can’t sign off on him being a No. 1 Fantasy option, but I’m thrilled to see him make a full recovery. His CBS Sports ADP is just right at 33.3.
Tetairoa McMillan
I still don’t like it when I see McMillan get drafted in Round 3, but his CBS Sports ADP is at 44.3, which is hard to argue with. The reports of him getting more time in the slot in the preseason have been accurate, and that’s a big boost to his Fantasy value. Bryce Young is still not the ideal quarterback to help elevate McMillan’s production, but he’s a great No. 2 Fantasy receiver worth drafting in Round 4. And if the offensive line can get healthy sooner rather than later — left tackle Iken Ekwonu (knee) and right tackle Taylor Moton (blood clots) are battling injuries — then this offense could be a nice surprise.
Davante Adams
Adams, 33, isn’t getting younger, and it was troubling to see him catch just 60 passes for 789 yards last season on 114 targets in 14 games. But we all know he scored 14 touchdowns last year, and he caught at least 11 touchdowns in four of the past six seasons with Green Bay, Las Vegas and the Rams. The reason Adams is no longer a bust is that Puka Nacua (groin) is injured, and he could be facing a suspension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Nacua is under investigation by the NFL since he is part of a civil case in which he is alleged to have bitten a woman on the shoulder while intoxicated and then made an unprovoked antisemitic remark. Any missed time for Nacua is a boost for Adams, who has a solid CBS Sports ADP of 57.7.
Jameson Williams
Sam LaPorta (hip) was diagnosed with a hip injury on Aug. 20, which is the main reason Williams is no longer a bust. I’m hopeful LaPorta is ready for Week 1, but any absence for him is a huge plus for Williams. In 2025, in nine games with LaPorta, Williams averaged just 10.9 PPR points and 4.8 targets per game. In eight games without LaPorta after he suffered a back injury, Williams averaged 15.2 PPR points and 7.4 targets per game. I still don’t love Williams at his CBS Sports ADP of 57.7, but he’s worth the risk now in that range if LaPorta could miss any time in the regular season.
Chris Olave
I put Olave on the first bust list in May after the Saints drafted Jordyn Tyson in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. Last year, when Rashid Shaheed was in New Orleans, Olave averaged just 14.1 PPR points per game in the first nine outings of the season. But in the final seven games after Shaheed was traded to Seattle, Olave averaged 20.2 PPR points per game. Tyson is dealing with a hamstring injury as of Aug. 14, and he could miss the first half of the season. That puts Olave back in line to be a monster, and he’s worth drafting toward the end of Round 2. I love his current CBS Sports ADP of 29.8, but that should rise over the next two weeks.
Jaylen Waddle
Waddle was on the first bust list in May right after he joined the Broncos, and I was worried that Fantasy managers would draft him too soon. But his CBS Sports ADP is actually low at 51.6, and I would draft him in Round 4. It was a little concerning when he dealt with a leg injury for over a week in August, but it was never considered serious. He has looked good in his return to practice, and he should be the No. 1 receiver for Bo Nix. Hopefully, the Waddle we saw early in his tenure in Miami — he averaged at least 14.2 PPR points per game in each of the first three seasons of his career — will show up again in Denver this year.
Now, here are the players that I don’t plan to draft in 2026 at their current CBS Sports ADP as of Aug. 24. I will draft them if they fall because these are great players, but I don’t expect that to happen.
Busts
Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is being drafted as a borderline starter at QB13 with a CBS Sports ADP of 99.3, but I would still pass on him there. He’s coming off last year’s torn ACL and LCL in his knee, which he suffered in Week 15, and the good news is he’ll be ready for Week 1. But I don’t expect him to run much, and that’s what made him a standout Fantasy quarterback in 2025 at 23.6 points per game. He set a career high for rushing yards (422) and rushing touchdowns (five) in just 14 games, and the Chiefs will likely be cautious with his mobility. Keep in mind that in 2023 and 2024 he averaged less than 21.0 Fantasy points per game, and Kansas City just upgraded its run game with the addition of Kenneth Walker III. Mahomes should be good, he just likely won’t be great.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Jaxson Dart (ADP of 106.4), Jared Goff (ADP of 109.5) and Bo Nix (ADP of 117.9)
Christian McCaffrey
I have McCaffrey ranked as a first-round pick, but the earliest I would draft him is No. 10 overall. However, his CBS Sports ADP is 7.6. I’m glad he returned to practice Sunday after being out for two weeks due to “tightness,” which apparently was a planned absence. But I still have concerns about his outlook. He turned 30 in June and just had 450 total touches in 2025, including the playoffs (337 carries and 113 catches). This is the third time in McCaffrey’s career that he had at least 400 total touches in a season (2023 with the 49ers and 2019 with Carolina) and he missed 13 games due to injury the following year both times. We all remember 2024 when he struggled with Achilles and knee problems and was limited to four games. In 2020 in Carolina, McCaffrey played just three games due to three separate injuries (a right high-ankle sprain, a shoulder A/C joint sprain and a thigh/glute strain). We can’t predict injuries, but the history suggests McCaffrey might not hold up in 2026. When healthy, he’s awesome, and he was just the No. 1 non-quarterback in 2025 at 24.5 PPR points per game. You could be missing the best player in Fantasy if you pass on him. But you also could have a major problem if he gets hurt again after his hefty workload in 2025.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Amon-Ra St. Brown (ADP of 9.2), James Cook (ADP of 10.5) and Chase Brown (ADP of 12.5)
De’Von Achane
It appears like Achane is going to get a hefty workload this season based on his preseason appearances. But I’m still not drafting him at his CBS Sports ADP of 11.6, and the earliest I would draft him is No. 15 overall. According to Fantasy Points, the quarterback with the second-highest target rate to running backs since 2023 was Tua Tagovailoa at 24.5 percent (Shedeur Sanders was No. 1 at 25.5 percent). The quarterback with the lowest target rate to running backs over that span was Malik Willis at 10.8 percent. That’s telling given how much Achane was involved as a receiver for the Dolphins, as he’s averaged 86 targets and 72.5 receptions the past two seasons. Now, Willis will obviously use Achane as a weapon in the passing game, especially given the state of Miami’s receiving corps going into the season. But Willis will run much more than Tagovailoa, so expect Achane’s production as a receiver to decline this year. We’ll also see just how much Tagovailoa’s absence — as well as coach Mike McDaniel — will hinder Achane. He averaged 21.5 PPR points in 25 games with Tagovailoa in the past two seasons and just 10.5 PPR points in eight games without Tagovailoa over that span. The Dolphins aren’t expected to win many games in 2025 — their projected win total is 4.5 — so touchdown opportunities could be tough for Achane. I’ll let someone else draft Achane in Round 1.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Chase Brown (ADP of 12.5), Kenneth Walker III (ADP of 18.7) and Omarion Hampton (ADP of 20.5)
Ashton Jeanty
This is a tricky one because we don’t know where his ADP will end up following his injury scare Sunday afternoon. Thankfully, it’s an ankle sprain, but we don’t know the severity yet. I’m anticipating a potential absence for Week 1, and we’ll see how long this injury lingers. His ADP is 13.7, but the earliest I would draft Jeanty is now Round 3. That might seem like an overreaction, but he already has to overcome being on a bad team — the Raiders’ projected win total is 5.5 — while Las Vegas has a difficult schedule. I was willing to overlook these concerns given Jeanty’s talent, but this injury is now reason to pass on him in the first two rounds. And Mike Washington Jr. could earn a bigger role than expected if he plays well while Jeanty is out.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Saquon Barkley (ADP of 14.1), Kenneth Walker III (ADP of 18.7) and Omarion Hampton (ADP of 20.5)
Jeremiyah Love
Love suffered a high-ankle sprain in Arizona’s first preseason game, and he went from a potential Round 2 selection to Round 3 now with an ADP of 32.6. I’m not drafting Love until Round 4, which might be an overreaction, but there’s enough risk to pass on him at his current cost. We don’t know how long he’s going to be out, but you should anticipate him missing Week 1 and being limited early in the season. He’s going to share touches with Tyler Allgeier and potentially James Conner, especially with Allgeier likely to vulture touchdown opportunities. The Cardinals also have a brutal schedule, and they aren’t expected to win many games with a projected total of 4.5. The offensive line is also worse after second-round pick Chase Bisontis (knee) suffered a torn MCL in the same game Love was hurt. He’s still worth drafting as a No. 2 Fantasy running back, but don’t reach for Love before Round 4.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Javonte Williams (ADP of 35.1), D’Andre Swift (ADP of 38.1) and Travis Etienne (ADP of 39.6)
Cam Skattebo
I expect Skattebo to be the best running back for the Giants, and I don’t mind drafting him as a No. 2 Fantasy option. But his CBS Sports ADP is too high at 34.8, and the earliest I would draft him is Round 5. We don’t know exactly how the depth chart will look in New York, but Skattebo is expected to share touches with some combination of Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary and Najee Harris. Tracy might be falling out of favor after some pass protection concerns and a lost fumble in the preseason, but Skattebo could still come off the field in crucial situations. That wasn’t the case during his rookie campaign in 2025 when he scored at least 13 PPR points in six games in a row from Weeks 2-7 before suffering a season-ending broken ankle in Week 8. He averaged 19.1 PPR points over that span, including four outings with at least 19 total touches. We’ll see what happens as the season goes on, but Skattebo in a potential committee should not be drafted in Round 3.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Javonte Williams (ADP of 35.1), D’Andre Swift (ADP of 38.1) and Travis Etienne (ADP of 39.6)
TreVeyon Henderson
I’m still hopeful for Henderson to be a star in his sophomore campaign, but I would not draft him at his current CBS Sports ADP at 65.4. I view Henderson as more of a high-end flex, and the earliest I would draft him is No. 75 overall. Henderson showed plenty of potential in a few games last season, especially in Weeks 9-11 when Rhamondre Stevenson was injured, and Henderson averaged 24.3 PPR points over that span. He also scored 30.1 PPR points in Week 15 against Buffalo and 17.3 PPR points in Week 18 against Miami. But if you remove those five games then Henderson averaged just 6.4 PPR points in his other 16 outings, including the playoffs. For the year, he appeared in 18 games with Stevenson, who played more snaps than Henderson in 15 of those contests. It would be great to see Henderson take a step forward this season and keep Stevenson on the bench, but that’s hard to expect given what happened in 2025 and all the reports this preseason. Henderson might only be a Fantasy starter if Stevenson were to miss any time due to injury.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Rhamondre Stevenson (ADP of 79.8) and Jonathon Brooks (ADP of 87.9)
Mike Evans
Since training camp started, Evans has already missed practice time due to quadriceps, foot and ankle injuries. None of them are considered serious, but it’s not a great sign for Evans, who turned 33 this week. As a reminder, he missed 12 games over the past two seasons due to hamstring and collarbone injuries, and we don’t want to draft a receiver in Round 5 who could struggle to stay on the field. That said, I do expect him to be a solid contributor for the 49ers, and another season of at least 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns is possible in this offense. But it’s now a crowded receiving corps with George Kittle (Achilles) healthy, Deebo Samuel back and the emergence of rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who is having a strong preseason. And let’s not forget about McCaffrey when healthy. Evans has top-20 upside, but the earliest I would draft him is Round 6 in all leagues.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Rome Odunze (ADP of 66.4), Christian Watson (ADP of 72.6) and Parker Washington (ADP of 82.7)
Courtland Sutton
I don’t mind drafting Sutton as a potential No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, but I don’t love his CBS Sports ADP at 80.7. That makes him WR32, which is too soon, and he’s WR39 in my rankings. You know the deal by now with Sutton following the addition of Jaylen Waddle, and Pat Bryant earned positive reviews in training camp. Sutton will lose targets, and he averaged 129.5 targets over the past two seasons. Now, he could still be a viable threat for Bo Nix, especially in the end zone, and he has averaged 7.5 touchdowns over the past two years. But there are receivers who have more upside being drafted after Sutton, and I would rather draft him as a high-end reserve in three-receiver leagues as opposed to a must-start option. The earliest I would draft Sutton is Round 8.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Parker Washington (ADP of 82.7), Brian Thomas Jr. (84.6) and Chris Godwin (94.4)
Alec Pierce
Pierce initially underwent a clean-up procedure on his left ankle in April, and he was facing a three-month recovery timetable. He started training camp on the active/PUP list, where he remains as of Monday. There’s no way you should draft him at his CBS Sports ADP of 84.3 this close to the season, and the earliest I would draft him is Round 11. Josh Downs is the better Colts receiver to draft, and it’s now close between Pierce and Keenan Allen, who was signed last week due to Pierce remaining out. Pierce closed last year on a tear, scoring at least 13 PPR points in four of his final six outings, but that was when Daniel Jones (Achilles) was out. In nine games with Jones to start the season, Pierce averaged just 10.2 PPR points per game. He could still be a difference maker as the season goes on once he’s healthy, but don’t reach for Pierce on Draft Day. He’s not someone I would draft before Round 10.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Brian Thomas Jr. (84.6), Chris Godwin (94.4) and Josh Downs (ADP of 115.9)
DK Metcalf
It feels like Fantasy managers are still drafting Metcalf based on his name and not his game. At least the way he played the game in 2025. In his first year with the Steelers, Metcalf had career lows in targets (99) and yards (850), and his 59 receptions was the second-lowest mark of his career. He also scored just six touchdowns, and this is four years in a row with him finding the end zone in single digits. Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers are not a good match since Rodgers doesn’t want to consistently challenge downfield at this point in his career. Metcalf now has to share the field with Michael Pittman, and Pittsburgh added rookie Germie Bernard in the second round of the NFL Draft. Metcalf’s CBS Sports ADP is WR37 at 90.6, which isn’t bad, but I don’t want to draft him as a starter even in three-receiver leagues. I have Metcalf ranked as WR43 at No. 99 overall, and I’m close to ranking him behind Pittman, who should be a better fit for Rodgers. This should be another frustrating season for Metcalf and his Fantasy production.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: Chris Godwin (ADP of 94.4), Quentin Johnston (ADP of 103.6) and Wan’Dale Robinson (ADP of 107.6)
Harold Fannin Jr.
Fannin was amazing in 2025 as a rookie, and he closed the year on a tear with at least 11 PPR points in five games in a row, while averaging 15.8 PPR points over that span. It helped propel Fannin to the No. 8 PPR tight end for the season, and he finished the year with 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets, which led the team. But three significant factors have changed for Fannin heading into this year. For starters, Kevin Stefanski is gone as the head coach, and he has been fantastic for tight ends in his career. New coach Todd Monken also likes to involve his tight ends, but it’s not the same level as Stefanski. Along with that, there’s more competition for targets this season after Cleveland drafted KC Concepcion with the No. 24 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft and Denzel Boston in Round 2 at No. 39 overall. Jerry Jeudy remains on the roster, and Fannin isn’t guaranteed to lead the team in targets again. Finally, we have a quarterback change with Deshaun Watson — who hasn’t played football since Week 7 in 2024 due to an Achilles injury — starting in place of Shedeur Sanders. Watson doesn’t have a great history throwing to tight ends, and Sanders helped Fannin break out at the end of 2025. I would still draft Fannin as a No. 1 Fantasy tight end this season, but I don’t like his CBS Sports ADP at 83.6. The earliest I would draft Fannin is Round 8.
(BOLD) I’d rather draft: George Kittle (ADP of 92.4) and Isaiah Likely (ADP of 97.8)
