The 2013 NFL season has been one of many surprises for proud fantasy football team GM’s. There’s been a fair share positive performances that have come out of no where, and unfortunately, there’s also been some negatives from top notch fantasy football superstars.

For this article we’re going to discuss the negative. I plan on featuring a 1^st round bust, a 3^rd round bust and lastly a 5^th round bust to this point of the season. To put a potential round on a player can only be estimates, but I think most people will agree with my projections.

There’s no doubt Tom terrific (Tom Brady) is a 1st class 1^st round fantasy player. Until this season Brady has been on a streak of over 50 consecutive games with at least 1 touchdown pass. That streak has come to a sudden stop this season in what to this point could be considered a down year for the Patriots gunslinger. We’re only at the half way point of the season so I’m not ready to label Brady a bust just yet, but to this point, he certainly has not lived up to his full fantasy potential. However, because its only the half way point of the season, he is Tom Brady, and his patriots reside in the weak AFC East I wouldn’t push the panic button just yet. I would not look to deal Tom Brady, I may bench him if I have a good number 2 QB, but I’d keep him on my roster.

Another fantasy disappointment has been Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice. I projected Rice to be drafted around round 3 and until this point, he has not lived up (points wise) to a 3^rd round tail back. A hip injury early in the year, along with splitting time with up and coming running Bernard Pierce have seriously hampered Rice’s potential. Potential that is very high for a dual threat like Ray Rice, a back that can make as much noise in the passing game as he can in the running game. Still if I could make a good trade for Rice at this point in the season, I would jump on the opportunity to deal him.

Lastly, lets discuss a projected 5^th rounder in NY Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. After an injury plagued year in 2012 Nicks was expected to burst on the scene as the high octane Giants passing game as the number 1 guy. With Victor Cruz lined up opposite Nicks, and Nicks in a contact year and playing for the big bucks, all signs pointed to a big year for the physical wide out. Sadly anyone that drafted Nicks is probably regretting it to this point. He’s yet to get in the end zone all year and he was completely shut out (no catches) against the Panthers which made him worth as much as a center for that week. But, even with all of that said, I wouldn’t deal Nicks just yet. The Giants defense is pretty bad which means they’ll most likely be behind a lot and that lends itself to them utilizing that down feild passing game of theirs. Unless a once Ina life time offer came along, I’d hang onto Nicks, at least a few more weeks.

It’s obvious fantasy football is a tricky business, some guys are winners but don’t put up big fantasy numbers (ie. Rothlisberger, E.Manning). On the other hand some guys choke in the big games but put up huge fantasy points (ie. Tony Romo). Despite the potential ups and downs of owning a fantasy football team, no one can argue its a lot of fun, and maybe best of all it makes those Thursday night games you normally wouldn’t care about, potentially a hoot to watch.