SportsLine Model Flags Nabers, Cook as 2026 Fantasy Busts
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Malik Nabers is flagged as a 2026 Fantasy bust by SportsLine's model despite an ADP of pick No. 35; the model ranks him below DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins and Zay Flowers, citing his torn ACL, a follow-up spring procedure, and the Giants' expected run-heavy scheme under OC Matt Nagy.
- James Cook is the second named bust, with an ADP around No. 13 overall (5th RB off the board) but a model ranking of RB No. 10 — behind Derrick Henry and Chase Brown — due to a higher fumble rate last season, limited receiving work, and Josh Allen as a touchdown vulture in Buffalo.
- SportsLine's model correctly predicted Terry McLaurin's 2025 collapse, after a prior 1,100-yard, 13-TD season McLaurin fell to career lows of 582 receiving yards and 3 TDs with per-game averages down across the board.
- The model also calls a mystery top-five receiver — not yet named in the article — one of the league's biggest 2026 busts, ranking him barely inside the top 10.
- Past model calls include A.J. Brown as a 2020 sleeper, Jonathan Taylor's breakout 2021 season, and C.J. Stroud's 2024 regression, plus sleepers Derrick Henry (2019), Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara (2018), and Davante Adams (2017).
- The 2026 rankings were generated after SportsLine simulated the NFL season 10,000 times, and the 2026 NFL season kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 9.
- The CBS PPR top-12 ADP is led by Jahmyr Gibbs (1.53), Bijan Robinson (1.93), Ja'Marr Chase (3.53), Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jonathan Taylor, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Christian McCaffrey, De'Von Achane, James Cook, CeeDee Lamb and Chase Brown.
Why it matters: For fantasy drafters, SportsLine's track record adds weight to fading two players the consensus has pushed into the top 15 — Nabers carries real injury risk after ACL surgery and a scheme shift, while Cook's touchdown-dependence on Allen makes him vulnerable in a Bills backfield that vultures red-zone work. Anyone who listened last year avoided McLaurin's career-low 582-yard season, and the same framework is now steering managers away from a torn-ACL receiver and a fumble-prone RB drafted as a top-five back.
