Fantasy Football 2026: Key Busts to Avoid in Drafts

The 2026 NFL season is set to begin on September 9, prompting Fantasy football owners to prepare for their drafts. Key players like Josh Allen, Jonathan Taylor, and Puka Nacua are expected to dominate draft boards, while running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are seeking new contracts.

SportsLine has simulated the upcoming season 10,000 times, revealing potential busts to avoid. One highlighted player is Malik Nabers of the New York Giants, who is currently being drafted around pick No. 36. However, due to a recent ACL injury and the team's focus on the run game, he is not ranked among the top 15 receivers by the model.

Another player to be cautious of is James Cook from the Buffalo Bills, who is being drafted as the fifth running back overall. Despite a strong previous season, the model ranks him lower, suggesting he should be picked in the late second or third round due to concerns about his fumble rate and competition for touchdowns with Josh Allen.