Every fantasy football season, we fall into the same trap: We see a flashy name, a big college stat line, or a viral training camp clip, and suddenly we’re reaching two rounds too early in the draft. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but there are always a few guys each year that are getting way more love than they should, especially considering their actual fantasy outlook.
Here are my top five most overhyped players heading into the season, guys who could absolutely underdeliver based on where they’re being drafted and the expectations around them.
Caleb Williams (QB, CHI)
ADP: QB14
Caleb Williams is only going into his second year, but you wouldn’t know it from the way fantasy managers are drafting him, like he’s already a top-tier fantasy quarterback. The upside is real, but the situation around him is still risky. He’s entering Year 2, but now he’s learning a new offensive system under head coach Ben Johnson, who comes over from Detroit. Johnson helped build an elite unit with the Lions, but this Bears team is still far from that level.
Chicago did their part in surrounding Caleb with talent. DJ Moore is a proven WR1. Rome Odunze, who entered the league the same year as Caleb, has flashed potential but still has a lot to prove. Luther Burden III, while exciting, is still just a rookie. The team also invested the 10th overall pick in tight end Colston Loveland, giving Caleb another big, athletic weapon over the middle. It’s an impressive group on paper, but talent alone doesn’t guarantee fantasy production.
The Bears also face the second-toughest strength of schedule in the entire NFL, and it’s especially brutal for a young quarterback still trying to get comfortable in a new offense. Caleb will have to deal with some of the league’s best pass rushers almost every other week. He plays Aidan Hutchinson twice in-division, and will also line up against Micah Parsons, Maxx Crosby, and Nick Bosa, three of the most disruptive edge rushers in football.
The Giants’ defensive front isn’t any easier, with a stacked group that includes Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter, and Dexter Lawrence, all capable of collapsing the pocket in a hurry. And if that’s not enough, he’ll also see T.J. Watt and the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line, which has been a nightmare matchup for most quarterbacks over the past few years.
It’s a tough stretch for even the most seasoned vets, and for a second-year QB learning a brand-new system, it could lead to stalled drives, rushed decisions, and inconsistent fantasy production. The talent is there, but expecting Caleb to thrive week-in and week-out with that kind of pressure is a huge gamble.
Right now, he’s being drafted like he’s ready to make the leap into the elite fantasy tier, but we haven’t seen enough consistency or growth yet to justify that. In redraft, I’d rather wait and take a more proven quarterback at a better value.
The ceiling is real, no doubt about it, but the risk is just as real. Let someone else deal with the rollercoaster.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, AZ)
ADP: WR18
Marvin Harrison Jr. came into the league with sky-high expectations, and honestly, it was hard not to buy into the hype. He was billed as the best wide receiver prospect since Ja’Marr Chase, a polished route-runner with elite hands, NFL bloodlines, and a complete college resume. Fantasy managers drafted him like he was going to be a plug-and-play WR1 as a rookie. But when the season actually kicked off, Harrison completely fell flat.
He didn’t look bad, he just didn’t look like the game-changer people thought he’d be. The production was average at best, and he struggled to separate consistently against NFL-caliber corners. Part of that was on Kyler Murray, who was coming back from injury and playing behind a shaky offensive line. But even when Harrison got opportunities, he didn’t make the kind of impact that justified his draft-day price tag.
Now heading into Year 2, people are still drafting him in the late second or early third round in redraft leagues, like he’s already made the leap. But not much has changed in Arizona. Kyler is still a question mark. The offensive line still has holes.
The coaching staff is still trying to figure out how to get the most out of a young, rebuilding roster. And while Harrison is expected to be the clear WR1, that also means he’ll draw every team’s top corner, and likely double coverage, especially with no legit WR2 or proven threat to take pressure off him. That’s not a great setup for consistent fantasy value.
People are acting like last season was just a blip and Harrison is a lock to bounce back and become a dominant WR1 in year two. But there’s nothing in Arizona’s offensive structure that guarantees that kind of breakout. Until we see real growth from Kyler and more stability from the offense overall, Harrison is more name value than safe fantasy asset.
He’s still got the talent to be special, no question. But he’s being drafted like he’s already arrived, when in reality, he still has a lot to prove.
Travis Hunter (WR, JAX)
ADP: WR29
Travis Hunter might be one of the most talented athletes in the league, that part isn’t up for debate. He can play both sides of the ball at a high level, and he’s got a competitive edge you can’t teach. But when it comes to fantasy football, talent alone isn’t enough, it’s about role, consistency, and volume. And that’s where things start to get messy.
Now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hunter is listed as a wide receiver but is expected to continue playing both ways, seeing time at corner as well. That’s exciting in real football, but from a fantasy standpoint, it’s a huge red flag. I personally don’t think the two-way role is sustainable. Being a full-time NFL wide receiver takes a toll on your body and your mind, and being a full-time cornerback does too. Doing both?
That’s asking a lot. I think at some point, he’s going to have to choose. He might be great at one, but I just don’t see him excelling at both long-term.
On top of that, Hunter is set to be the WR2 behind Brian Thomas Jr., who has clearly emerged as the Jaguars' top receiving option. That means Hunter will be playing in a secondary role on offense, which limits his target volume and his ceiling in most formats. He’ll get splash plays, sure, maybe a couple of highlight-reel moments.
But if he’s splitting time and not being used as a full-time offensive weapon, he’s not going to give you reliable week-to-week production.
The hype is still very real around Travis Hunter, and it should be based on what he’s capable of doing. But in fantasy, we can’t afford to draft off potential alone. The Jaguars are experimenting with a two-way role, and while that’s exciting to watch, it’s a nightmare for fantasy managers looking for consistent touches and scoring chances.
Until we know what he is and how he’ll be used, I’m staying away. Let someone else chase the highlight reel.
Kenneth Walker (RB, SEA)
ADP: RB17
Kenneth Walker III has shown flashes of being a dynamic runner, but there’s one huge question mark hanging over his fantasy value: health. Through his first three NFL seasons, Walker hasn’t managed to stay on the field for a full season. That’s a serious red flag for any running back, especially one expected to carry the workload as the Seahawks’ RB1.
Seattle clearly values Walker as their lead back going into Year four of his career and the second season under head coach Mike McDaniel, whose offensive schemes typically feature a balanced attack with strong run concepts.
But it’s important to remember that the Seahawks also have Zach Charbonnet, who isn’t just a depth piece, he’s a very capable and efficient back who can steal significant touches when Walker is sidelined or limited. Charbonnet is a legitimate handcuff and could easily eat into Walker’s volume, especially on passing downs or in goal-line situations.
Walker’s talent is undeniable, and when healthy, he can put up RB1-level numbers on a weekly basis. However, Walker has yet to even break into the top 15 fantasy running backs. Until he proves he can stay healthy for a full 17-game slate, his fantasy managers have to prepare for boom-or-bust production. Charbonnet’s presence means Walker’s ceiling may be capped some weeks, and his floor will be shaky if injuries creep in again.
Drafting Walker means buying into the gamble that he can finally put it all together, volume, health, and consistent usage in an evolving offense. For some, that’s worth the risk. For others, it’s safer to look elsewhere.
Colston Loveland (TE, CHI)
ADP: TE13
Colston Loveland was a surprising but intriguing selection at 10th overall by the Chicago Bears, coming out of Michigan as one of the top tight end prospects in the class. At first glance, the pick raised some eyebrows, especially considering that Bears GM Brian Poles had already signed Cole Kmet to a long-term deal not too long ago. This means Loveland is stepping into what looks to be a crowded and competitive tight end room.
What makes Loveland’s situation interesting, and tricky, is that it’s unclear exactly what his role will be in this offense. The Bears have invested heavily in their young quarterback, Caleb Williams, and surrounding skill players like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and rookie Luther Burden.
But when it comes to the tight end spot, it’s far from a guaranteed starring role. Kmet has been the primary tight end and a reliable target for years, and now Loveland is expected to compete for snaps and targets, possibly rotating in a variety of formations.
Some of you might say Loveland doesn’t get as much hype as the other players on this list; Williams, Harrison Jr., Hunter, and Walker, but don’t let that fool you. Being a top 10 draft pick automatically comes with plenty of expectations and hype, especially at the tight end position where impact talent is rare. If Loveland can carve out a significant role early, he could be a sneaky fantasy asset in an offense designed to utilize multiple weapons.
The key question will be how quickly he adjusts to the NFL and what role the Bears envision for him. Is he going to be a traditional tight end, a flex target, or maybe even used in the slot? Until we see more clarity, Loveland is a wildcard, potentially a huge upside pick, but one with clear risk given the current depth chart.
Final Thoughts
This list isn’t about calling these guys bad players; it’s about managing expectations. Every year, names get inflated by college highlights, athletic measurables, or potential roles.
But fantasy football isn’t about who looks good on paper, it’s about usage, situation, and consistency. If you’re drafting any of these five, make sure you’re not paying for ceiling while ignoring the floor. Who do you think is overhyped?