NFL Wild Card All-Disappointing Team: Jalen Hurts, Raheem Mostert, Mike Evans and More

During a Wild Card Round in which half the games were upsets, we got plenty of surprising individual performances. Big-time numbers came out of games with totals as high as 80 points, and frozen conditions held down other contributors who failed to meet expectations.

That’s what this is about: Expectations. I chose a starting fantasy lineup (1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE) of players who left owners and DFS players underwhelmed. These weren’t necessarily the worst players of the week, just the ones who failed to live up to lofty expectations to the highest degree. Each position had multiple candidates, but these guys each fit the bill. I’m focusing on fantasy football, but real-life implications will leak into the conversation as well.

 

Quarterback

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

The real-life let down is much more damaging than the fantasy impact for both Philadelphia and Dallas. These teams aspired to possibly meet in the NFC Championship Game, but both were dominated in the first round.

Hurts was OK throwing the ball, hitting 250 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. His usual level of rushing was absent, though, taking away the platform that lifts his performance each week. Hurts averaged about 36 yards and a touchdown on the ground per game during the season; he ran once for five yards against Tampa.

The future of the Tush Push might be in danger, and that would change Hurts’ value. He will still be a good running quarterback, but losing a few free yards every third/fourth & short and one-yard touchdowns will add up through the season.

Hurts will be among the top three quarterbacks drafted next season, probably with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, and for good reason. When his running production starts to fall, though, we will see more performances like this. Enjoy his running ability while at its peak.

 

Running Back

Raheem Mostert and De’von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are another worthy duo here, but the complete lack of production from the Dolphins backs after such an effective season is shocking. Kansas City has a great defense, but they disrupted the pass more than the run during the season.

The full defense was on display on a frigid Saturday night:

• 199 passing yards for Tua Tagovailoa
• 33 rushing yards and one catch for negative-three yards for Mostert
• Nine rushing yards and three catches for 21 yards for Achane

Tyreek Hill was mildly productive (by his standards) with five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, but no one else on Miami found any success.

Injuries are probably the biggest culprit here. The Dolphins had to shuffle the offensive line around throughout the season due to players missing games, and the pass rush was obliterated by this Chiefs game.

Achane will be a top running back come next fantasy season, and all backs on the team will be fantasy-relevant due to Miami’s prowess on the ground. This was more circumstantial, and things are likely to be more the same than different for the Dolphins in 2024.

 

Wide Receiver

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Evans had subpar stats (three catches for 48 yards), but it’s even worse when considering what he missed. On a deep pass in the first half, Evans broke past his defender for an easy touchdown, only to have the ball go through his hands and fall to the ground. Little-used backup receiver David Moore caught a 44-yard touchdown pass soon after.

Trey Palmer caught only one pass on the day, and it went for a 56-yard touchdown. A few other near misses led to Evans catching less than half of his seven targets. Things just didn’t break right for Evans on a day when Baker Mayfield threw for 337 yards.

The Bucs have another great matchup next week when they travel to Detroit, where the Lions gave up the third-most passing yards per attempt this season. Matthew Stafford threw for 367 yards in the Wild Card Round, and Puka Nacua went off for 181 and a touchdown.

Speaking of Nacua, he overshadowed Kupp again in what looks like the new normal. Five catches on nine targets for 27 yards is highly disappointing for the Super Bowl MVP from two years ago. An offseason to rest lingering injuries might help, but a 32-year old Kupp has likely seen his best days.

 

Tight End

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

Tight ends had a great week: 12 guys had at least 10 PPR points, while only eight players at the position who scored a fantasy point had less than 10. Thirteen of those 20 TEs had 65 yards and/or a touchdown.

Schultz had only one catch, but it went for a 37-yard touchdown. With C.J. Stroud throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, it is disappointing that Schultz couldn’t put together a few catches at least to pump his PPR score.

There weren’t many other options for this spot, as, again, it was a good week at the position. Sam LaPorta had three catches for just 14 yards but also got into the end zone; he would be a good pick here, but coming off an injury last week, his expectations weren’t quite as high as usual.

Dallas Goedert was a little better, with four receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown. Solid work for the safety nets this week.