Forget the hype around Lamar Jackson being your fantasy QB2, because if you draft him there, you might be staring at a roster full of regret. This dude was the top scorer in fantasy football in 2025, even snagging his second MVP, but this season is shaping up way different, and it’s time to pump the brakes on that high draft pick. You’ve got to avoid him at his average draft position, and he’s not alone.
The Baltimore Ravens Are Changing Everything Around Lamar Jackson
The numbers for Lamar last season are already a huge red flag, my friend. After being the undisputed fantasy MVP in 2025, he only finished as QB20 last year, missing a chunk of games due to injuries and barely hitting QB16 in fantasy points per game. That’s a massive drop-off we can’t ignore. Now, heading into 2026, the entire coaching staff is getting a seismic shake-up in Baltimore. Both former offensive coordinator Todd Monken and coach John Harbaugh are out the door, off to Cleveland and the New York Giants, respectively. This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a complete change of direction for that offense.
Here’s the really scary part for fantasy managers: under Monken and Greg Roman, Jackson was averaging a whopping 10 rushing attempts per game. That’s where his fantasy gold came from! Last season? That number plummeted to just 5.2 totes per appearance. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who just ran the No. 3 rushing offense with the Chicago Bears, is expected to bring a “more balanced approach” to the Ravens’ offense. Translation: fewer runs for Jackson to keep him healthy, which directly impacts his fantasy ceiling and that high QB2 projection. Plus, his schedule is absolutely brutal, with half his first dozen games against top-ten defenses for QBs, including four against top-five teams. Oh, and you can forget about him in Week 13 with that bye right when your season is peaking for playoff contention.
Don’t Sleep on These Other Fantasy Landmines
Lamar isn’t the only one giving us major pause, so don’t get tunnel vision. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook had a monster 1,912 scrimmage yards last season, a career-high for sure, and that’s impressive. But he’s getting picked super early, sometimes even in the first round of drafts, and there’s a real chance he doesn’t live up to that insane average draft position. That’s a huge, season-altering risk for such a premium pick in your draft.
And let’s talk wideouts. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is floating around with a fifth-round ADP in deeper leagues, but he’s firmly on the “avoid” list for good reason. Same goes for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington and Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, who’s a former Notre Dame guy and could honestly struggle right out of the gate in his NFL tenure. Don’t be the friend who drafts one of these guys too high and completely tanks their whole roster structure. Your second-round pick on Lamar, or a first on Cook, is just too rich for what you’re actually getting in terms of consistent production and ceiling.
Your fantasy draft isn’t just about picking names; it’s about building a winning roster from day one. These guys, for all their talent, carry some serious red flags that could absolutely derail your season before it even starts. Don’t get sucked into the hype at their current ADPs. Play it smart, scoop up value where you can, and don’t let a bad early pick turn your fantasy season into a nightmare before you even get to Week 1.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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