Man, that 17-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys still feels like a punch to the gut, doesn’t it? We needed that early season win, especially at home, but the offense just couldn’t get it going. It’s tough watching our boys struggle, and it reminds you that sometimes, even the players you count on most can let you down. That same harsh reality hits fantasy football managers every year when those early-round picks just don’t pan out. With the NFL preseason going full throttle, it’s time to zero in on who to avoid at all costs in your drafts.
Christian McCaffrey Is Getting Scary Old for This Kind of Workload
It’s almost painful to say this about a guy who has been a bona fide league-winner for so long, but Christian McCaffrey is flashing some serious red flags for 2026. The dude is 30 now, which for a running back, that’s like dog years for a human. He’s got a long injury history, and get this: he logged a league-high 413 touches last season, with another 37 in the playoffs. That’s a brutal workload. He racked up 2,126 yards and 17 touchdowns, yeah, but is that sustainable? His efficiency wasn’t even there last year, averaging only 3.9 yards per carry, his lowest since 2020. And just this past week, he was out of practice with “tightness.” That’s not what you want to hear from your mid-first-round pick RB4. He’ll need to be near 100 percent to even sniff those numbers again, especially if George Kittle is sidelined early. Big ifs for a guy whose ADP is still sky-high.
Trevor Lawrence Is Not Your Safe Bet, Emerald City
Over in Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence had a fantastic year under his new head coach Liam Coen, hitting career highs with 29 passing and 9 rushing touchdowns, and topping 4,000 yards. He stayed healthy, which is a big deal for him. But hold up, this ain’t a smooth ride from here. Lawrence has battled injuries in recent seasons. Plus, opposing defenses will be ready for Coen’s playbook this time around. And talk about losing a key piece: Travis Etienne Jr. is gone, and he put up 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 scores last season. The Jags might be high on second-year back Bhayshul Tuten, but confidence doesn’t equal production. Add in Lawrence’s history of being turnover-prone, with 58 interceptions in five seasons, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. His ADP has him going before studs like Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, and Bo Nix! That’s just wild. He’s a streamer, not a surefire starter.
Jaylen Waddle’s New Scenery Doesn’t Guarantee a Turnaround
Rounding out the early busts to watch is Jaylen Waddle. He had a solid 2025 with 910 yards and six touchdowns on 64 receptions, even though the Miami offense was underwhelming. He’s been way more productive in the past, with over 100 receptions and 1,000 yards in his first three seasons. His trade to the Denver Broncos is probably why his ADP is 50 overall, with people hoping for a return to form. But a change of scenery doesn’t always magically fix everything. Don’t let that shiny new team badge blind you.
So yeah, while that tough 17-7 loss to the Cowboys has us all a bit down, it’s a good reminder that not everything goes as planned, even for the pros. Don’t make the same mistake in your fantasy draft. Avoid these landmines and keep your head up, 12s. We’ve got a whole season ahead for our Seahawks, and you’ve got a whole fantasy season to win. Stay sharp!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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