Wild Card Round Fantasy Football Busts Featuring Aaron Rodgers & Davante Adams

The Wild Card Round brings new fantasy football opportunities—and new landmines—so here are the biggest busts to avoid in DFS and playoff leagues, led by Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. | Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs kicks off this weekend, and there are still plenty of ways to participate in fantasy football. We have both DFS and fantasy playoff leagues still available to play in. Like any other week of the year, there will still be fantasy football busts in the playoffs. These are the top busts for the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

There are a number of quarterbacks who could struggle this week, and usually, we wouldn't even consider an ancient Aaron Rodgers as a bust. However, after a solid game to win the AFC North on Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, there is some steam building behind Rodgers for the playoffs.

Some of it is nostalgia, others believe he'll be all in for one last run, and there are even conspiracy theorists who believe it will be rigged so he can go out on top. We are here to tell you that all of that is nonsense. The Houston Texans' defense is going to dominate the Steelers' offense, and Rodgers will be running for his life. 

RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Cook starts the playoffs with a brutal matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. This doesn't mean we believe he will be terrible, but we do expect him to fall well short of expectations. Quarterback Josh Allen also tends to go into Superman mode in playoff games, which he will inevitably do at some point, and it will inevitably lead to the Bills being knocked out of the playoffs. 

RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

Henderson has a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the playoffs. They are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. We don't expect anything from Rhamondre Stevenson either; however, we do worry that Stevenson will see a bump in snaps because the Patriots' coaching staff may have more trust in the veteran over the more dynamic but less experienced rookie rusher.  

WR DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Metcalf is returning from his two-game suspension this week and steps into one of the toughest matchups in the NFL. That's why he finds himself on the list along with his quarterback. He'll be locked up by Derek Stingley Jr, who is one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the league. As a whole, the Texans are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. All around, this is a tough one for Metcalf, who could also be a bit rusty to start the game. 

WR Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a one-yard touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Matthew Stafford (not pictured) against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

There is a lot to be concerned with when it comes to Adams this week. He has been sidelined since Week 15 with a hamstring injury, which are prone to re-aggravation. Entering the game, you already have concerns about rust and health. Then you have a matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who are allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season.

Perhaps more importantly, the Rams are likely to blow out the Panthers, which could limit how much Los Angeles passes the ball and could lead to less snaps for Adams, who they will need fully healthy as they move on deeper into the playoffs.