Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports
One thing all fantasy football owners try to avoid each year are busts that can crush their squad.
As fantasy football fans get ready to draft for the 2013 season, it’s key to identify what well-known players may not live up to expectations this year. Leading up to drafts, we’ll try to identify some players that fit the bill and could become busts this season.
Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte
Forte has been a first-round pick for much of his five-year career, and for the most part, it’s been justified. Entering 2013, however, Forte’s fantasy stock should be dropping, even further than it already has.
The 27-year-old has missed six games over the past two seasons and was limited in a few more thanks to ankle and knee issues. Plenty of running backs have their injury risks, but this is now another negative to tack on to a few existing ones. The first, and most important, is his lack of scoring.
With five seasons under his belt, it’s become obvious that Forte just can’t get it done at the goal line. He has only 14 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons, and that number won’t get much larger this season with goal-line specialist Michael Bush yet again on the roster.
Where Forte has always excelled is in the passing game, and he continues to be a force in PPR leagues. Last year’s career-low 44 receptions on 60 targets (also a career low) can’t be ignored, however. He managed only 340 yards and averaged just 7.7 yards per catch, his lowest since recording a high of 63 catches his rookie season. He also isn’t breaking into the end zone through the air, having scored just five times in four years.
There’s still a lot to like about Forte, as he will again see the bulk of touches out of the backfield and should continue to excel in PPR leagues. Those in standard leagues, however, need to be aware that they are drafting a back that isn’t going to score much, hasn’t rushed for over 1,100 yards the past four seasons, and is now more of an injury risk than he has ever been. In standard leagues, you’re taking a big risk drafting him as your top running back.
Rich Arleo is a fantasy sports expert with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Rarleo, ‘Like’ him on Facebook and add him to your networks on Google.
