Fantasy football: Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard are two Bust of the Year winners

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Most people have a favorite fantasy villain. It might be Darth Vader, maybe Lord Voldemort, perhaps Sauron, or the Wicked Witch of the West, or whoever the bad guy was in The VelociPastor.

The Madmans top villain changes from season to season. This year, we had two primary archenemies.

Both played in most games and largely played poorly. This is worse than injury, because at least with an injury, you know you need a replacement.

Instead, these players left you guessing all season: Is his the week they turn it around? How can I sit this premier guy in this juicy matchup? Is this weeks favorite waiver scrub a better option?

Cowboys running back Tony Pollard was one of our antagonists. He was a mid-second-round pick, the sixth RB taken on average.

Managers drafted him to be their RB1. Yet, he had just two top-10 weeks during the fantasy season and finished RB14 on the year, behind a host of others who were available later in drafts.

His production fell well short of expectations, and he had fantasy managers eventually scrambling to try to find an option with more upside, if they had the gumption to bench Pollard.

So yeah, he was deserving of Big Bust consideration. But as bad as Pollards season was, it didnt eclipse the disaster that was Austin Ekelers.

Ekeler was drafted as a top-four overall selection, coming off a season in which he was the top-scoring fantasy RB. And it looked like he was on track to have another outstanding year after a strong Week 1, but an ankle sprain sidelined him the next three games.

Fantasy_football_Austin_Ekeler_Tony_Pollard_are_two_Bust_of_the_Year_winners Tony Pollard only produced two top-10 fantasy football weeks for managers who likely drafted him as their RB1. Getty ImagesAfter a couple of sluggish outings upon his return, he rebounded with three straight when he ranked in the top six. Hes back, right? Nope.

The remaining seven games, his weekly ranking was 31.7, with one game in the top 10, and just one other even in the top 24. It was catastrophic for fantasy teams trying to make a playoff push.

For these reasons, Austin Ekeler, you earn the dishonor of the Madmans Biggest Fantasy Bust of the Year. But as a consolation, Pollard gets our RB Bust of the Year.

QB ust of Year: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

The consensus QB1 in the draft, he finished QB8, with managers questioning whether to keep him in lineups during the playoffs.

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WR Bust of the Year: Cooper Kupp, Rams

Not holding his four-game absence against him. But we do judge him on the 28th-best WR average per game and WR39 overall for the third WR taken in drafts. Honorable mentions: JaMarr Chase, Bengals; Davante Adams, Raiders; Garrett Wilson, Jets.

TE Bust of the Year: Travis Kelce, Chiefs

He wasnt bad, he just wasnt nearly as great as his draft cost demanded. To wit: He was 100 points better than the No. 2 tight end in 2022. Taken in the top 5-7 picks in 2023, two rounds ahead of the next tight end, you expected that kind of separation again. You didnt get it.

Final straws

Tyler Huntley QB, Ravens

This type of decision is exactly why leagues should not have championships decided in the final week. With nothing to play for, theres no reason to think the Ravens will put Lamar Jackson in harms way.

Blaine Gabbert QB, Chiefs

The Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed, so expect to see some key guys get some rest/injury avoidance. But only use Gabbert if your starter is unavailable, not ahead of other QB scrubs. He is still bottom of the barrel.

Elijah Mitchell RB, 49ers

Christian McCaffrey left Sundays game with a calf injury. Expecting San Fran plays it safe in a meaningless game and keeps him out. That should give Mitchell plenty of touches.

Gerald Everett TE, Chargers

Has at least eight targets in four straight games. Were willing to chase that type of volume at a thin position, even with a backup QB.

Last ditched

Matthew Stafford QB, Rams

Not convinced the Rams will keep Stafford on the field the entire game with just seeding (6-7) in the balance. The Niners D, even with no playoff incentive, is too rough an assignment to risk Staffords health.

Breece Hall RB, Jets

We worry the Patriots might get some juice from the idea this could be Bill Belichicks last game with the team. If so, we would anticipate that manifesting most clearly in defensive aggressiveness.

Fantasy_football_Austin_Ekeler_Tony_Pollard_are_two_Bust_of_the_Year_winners Breece Hall and the Jets face in the Patriots in what could be Bill Belichick’s final game. Getty ImagesChuba Hubbard RB, Panthers

Tampa Bay has something to play for, not Carolina. And based on Sundays blowout loss, it looks like the Panthers have already packed it in for the season.

George Pickens WR, Steelers

Call it gut, call it animosity. Were not using Pickens despite two straight big games. We dont trust him, and we think Quitting Karma will eventually catch up.

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