As the fantasy season approaches, there are quite a few players that have stood out in terms of must avoid players. These players may have been good fantasy options before, but 2022 does not provide that same opportunity. Here are 5 guys you should be avoiding in fantasy this season:

QB Tua Tagovailoa (MIA)

Going into his third season, Tagovailoa still has a lot to prove. The Dolphins brought in a top WR in Tyreek Hill this offseason to give Tua another dynamic weapon. Hill will bring a lot to Miami’s offense and will help Tua stretch the field. This would theoretically be a fantasy positive. However, drafting Tua is a risk for various reasons. He is still injury prone (missed four games in 2021) and unproven as a consistent fantasy option. Tua only eclipsed 20+ points in two games last season while finishing the season as the QB26 (14.69 PPG). Tua has the opportunity to be much improved in 2022, but there is no way Tua should be trusted as your team’s QB1. Tagovailoa would be more suitable for fantasy teams in 2-QB leagues or just as a bench stash.

RB Nick Chubb (CLE)

With the looming suspension of QB Deshaun Watson, you should be fading all Cleveland Browns players. Chubb is going off the board in the late first/early second rounds. That is way too pricy and not worth that draft capital. Especially for a player with little-to-no involvement in the pass game, he is at a further disadvantage compared to other RBs drafted around him. Chubb is a fantastic talent who is a great rusher. While he may see more work on the ground without Watson, I do not think he plays to the level of his ADP. Even when Watson returns, Cleveland will want to emphasize the air attack, which would contribute to a declined production from Chubb this season. I would rather spend a late first round pick on a Joe Mixon (CIN) or D’Andre Swift (DET) type player with a higher ceiling in 2022.

RB Josh Jacobs (LV)

The writing seems to be on the wall for Jacobs in 2022. With the Raiders declining his fifth-year option, as well as drafting Zamir White in this past draft, Jacobs is facing a make-or-break season. Jacobs finished as a top-12 PPR RB last season, but that was mostly volume-based. Their new head coach, Josh McDaniels, is known for using a RB committee approach. Jacobs is being drafted as the RB22 (49th overall), which is the deadzone for running backs. Going alongside the likes of J.K. Dobbins, Elijah Mitchell, and Antonio Gibson, it would be wise to pass on any RB in the deadzone. There are better WR options available, as WRs in the mid rounds are more likely to hit.

Some guys in that range I would prefer over Jacobs would be WR Mike Williams, WR Courtland Sutton, WR Marquise Brown, and of course some of the elite QBs in Patrick Mahomes II and Lamar Jackson. Draft guys like these over a projected deadzone RB in Jacobs.

WR Michael Thomas (NO)

There are many obstacles in the way for Thomas to even sniff his elite 2018-2019 production. He had multiple injuries and surgeries in the past two seasons. He has not played a game since Week 14 of the 2020 season. Thomas will also be playing with a different QB in Jameis Winston. No longer with Drew Brees, Thomas will have to adjust playing with a QB who is more than willing to throw the ball all over the yard. Thomas is going in drafts as the WR30 (69th overall), and I am out completely. He was just placed on the PUP List to begin training camp, a sign that he may not be healthy going into the season. Rookie Chris Olave is the WR worth drafting from this Saints offense. You can get Olave at a greater discount in the last couple rounds of your draft.

TE Kyle Pitts (ATL)

Pitts has shot up draft boards after a historical rookie season. He finished last season as the TE6 in PPR despite only scoring one touchdown. He is going in drafts as the TE3 (37th overall) in 2022. The Falcons are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. They traded MVP QB Matt Ryan to Indianapolis, and they will be without WR Calvin Ridley due to a year-long suspension. Marcus Mariota is (assumingly) the new man under center for the Falcons, which is a significant downgrade. Pitts will receive a healthy amount of targets as their “WR1” in 2022, which could inflate his fantasy production. However, I do not see this offense scoring a lot of touchdowns. His draft price is another issue. He is going way too early for my liking. I would rather wait a couple rounds later for a TE in a proven offense, such as George Kittle and Darren Waller. Pitts has the potential and skill to be a top-3 TE in the league. His situation in 2022 could be much improved. He is one of my must avoid players this season.

Honorable Must Avoid Players: RB Ezekiel Elliott (DAL), WR Tyreek Hill (MIA), WR DK Metcalf (SEA), WR Allen Robinson II (LAR), QB Ryan Tannehill (TEN)