ClutchPoints
One of the most exciting parts about fantasy football is that it is unpredictable. Just like the NFL, there would hardly be any fun if the superior team won every single time. The same is true in fantasy football, and the reasons are often quite different from why NFL teams struggle to win games.
The best way to gain an edge in fantasy football is to learn how to assess an individual player’s situation. Some struggling players will turn things around, while others are already doomed. It often isn’t incredibly easy to tell, but you can find a good enough answer if you do enough digging.
But which disappointing players need to be avoided at all costs?
Below we will explore a handful of concerning fantasy football players who have struggled early during the 2025 NFL season.
Travis Hunter is the most mysterious player in fantasy football right now.
NFL fans were fascinated to see how a true two-way player could function in the league. Especially if he planned to start on both sides of the ball.
There are a few reasons why this hasn’t translated into tons of fantasy points so far this season.
First, we have to acknowledge that Hunter’s defensive snaps a bad thing for fantasy football in almost every format. Standard leagues do not award points for individual defensive player (IDP) production in favor of team defenses and special teams (D/STs). That means that a theoretical pick-six by Hunter will benefit whoever has the Jaguars D/ST in their lineup, not Hunter himself.
Furthermore, those additional snaps expose Hunter to additional opportunities where he could be injured. So it’s all risk, no reward.
But at least he plays wide receiver too.
Unfortunately, Jacksonville’s passing game has been a mess early in the season.
This is not just a Hunter issue, as even Brian Thomas Jr. has struggled mightily through three weeks. Regardless of who or what is to blame, it is a problem for Hunter in fantasy football.
The rookie only managed 10 receptions for 76 yards through three games.
Sadly, Hunter is unstartable at this point. That could quickly change if the Jaguars fix whatever is wrong, but you shouldn’t gamble that it will happen right away.
Bench Travis Hunter.
There are a few reasons to be concerned about Jeanty for fantasy early in his professional career.
One factor is that Las Vegas is openly thinking about load management with Jeanty.
“You would love for Ashton Jeanty to play every play… You have to be conscious of, over the course of 17 games, if somebody is carrying the ball 30 times a game, they only have so many carries in a season,” Kelly said, per Raiders reporter Nick Walters. “If you’re using them early, it’ll hurt you late.”
While it is good that Vegas is keeping Jeanty’s health a priority, that can become...
