My Least Favorite Fantasy Football Picks in the First 10 Rounds: Christian McCaffrey, Omarion Hampton and More

Yesterday, I did a story on my favorite fantasy football picks across the first 10 rounds.

I'm back today to identify my least favorite picks in the first 10 rounds. We'll again be using the FantasySP Average Draft Position list. Let's jump right into things! 

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Round 1 - Christian McCaffrey

I know CMC can be an elite fantasy player when he's healthy, but with several injury issues over his career, I'm no longer a fan of McCaffrey in the first round.

His 2,023-yard and 21-touchdown season in 2023 is his upside, but after getting in just four games a season ago, I really am not high on taking CMC that early. He's 29 years old, and isn't likely to turn back the clock.

I expect the Niners to scale back his workload in an effort to keep him healthy all season. That could lead to big numbers, but unless he scores a ton of touchdowns again, I think he'll end up being more of a second- or third-round pick in value by the end of the season.

Round 2 - Nico Collins

I think Collins is a top-10 wideout, but think he's going too early. He's at pick 14 on average so far.

He'll be the top wideout for Houston, but without many proven playmakers around him, defenses will be able to key in on Collins. He's also coming off a season in which he played 12 games, and he's yet to go over 15 games in any of his four NFL seasons, so there's injury concerns.

Fully healthy, Collins is a top-10 fantasy wideout, but I'd prefer him near pick 20, or later, because of some of the concerns I have with him.

Round 3 - Breece Hall

Hall is going around pick 29 on average, and is trending in the wrong direction. He's still going too early for my liking.

He had 1,359 yards and eight total scores over 16 games last season, which was some regression from 2023. I see the Jets' offense regressing as a whole because of Justin Fields taking over for Aaron Rodgers.

I also think Hall is going to lose snaps and touches to Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Throw in that New York might have to pass more while trailing and I just don't see great value in Hall at the end of the third round.

Round 4 - Omarion Hampton

I hate to do this, because I really like Hampton. Him going at pick 36 on average is just too early though.

He's likely going to be the lead back for the Chargers, but I expect him and Najee Harris to split the backfield pretty evenly. Even if the rookie gets 60% of the snaps and touches, he's not going to be worth a pick that high, unless he scores a ton of touchdowns.

I'd skip Hampton unless he drops a round or more.

Round 5 - Terry McLaurin

McLaurin is looking for a new contract and is dealing with an injury, so his outlook is murky right now. He's going around pick 44 on average.

He's bound to regress from last season, as 13 touchdowns really upped his fantasy value. Things just seem to be working against McLaurin this season, and unless he drops several picks, I'd let someone else gamble on him.

Round 6 - Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes is a big name and has a ton of NFL success in his career, but he's regressed as a fantasy asset. He's still going at pick 54 on average.

He wasn't even a top-10 fantasy QB last season. KC has enough offensive weapons for Mahomes to be better this season, but I'd be wary of spending this early of a pick on him.

I just feel there's a much higher chance that he ends up as a draft bust again, while having little room to outperform that draft slot.

Round 7 - Travis Hunter

Hunter is a talented player, and I hope he turns into a two-way star in time. As a rookie, I think things could get a little overwhelming. While I expect him to appear most as a wide receiver, even focusing on defense a little is going to limit his fantasy upside.

He's going around pick 70 on average, and I think he should be going several picks later. Brian Thomas Jr. is the star receiver in Jacksonville, and as a secondary option on a so-so offense, I don't expect Hunter to be a good/great fantasy asset.

He's more of a flex option to start the season for me, but I think he'll end up being a better deep-league option. Hunter is going too early for my liking, and I'd guess he continues to get drafted earlier and earlier as the season nears, so that will just turn me off to him even more.

Round 8 - Chris Olave

Olave is going around pick 76 on average so far. He's coming off a season in which he played just eight games, and with a concussion history, he's a risk going forward too.

He is in a terrible fantasy situation and has no proven quarterback on the roster. It could be a very long year for the Saints' offense, and Olave might really struggle as a result.

If he ends up playing close to a full season, I expect him to post career-worst numbers. I'd skip Olave for another couple rounds, so unless his ADP falls, I'm skipping him this season.

Round 9 - Deebo Samuel Sr.

I've been off the Samuel train for a couple seasons now. He's going around pick 83 on average to this point.

He fizzled out in San Francisco, only having 806 total yards and four scores over 15 games last season - that's even less impressive considering how many guys were out for the Niners last season.

He'll have a big role again in Washington, but I just don't see him being worth nearly what his ADP is. Samuel isn't likely to get a ton of work as a ball carrier, which is some of the appeal with him. He could carve out a nice role as a pass catcher, but I think his upside is near his numbers last year, which is not worthy of a top-100 pick.

Round 10 - Jordan Mason

I was pretty surprised to see Mason as a top-100 pick. He's going around pick 98 so far.

He's with the Vikings now, and will be the No. 2 guy to Aaron Jones. I think Minnesota should run more and rely on their backs more with a first-year starting quarterback around, but coach Kevin O'Connell has been a pass-first guy every year, and I don't expect things to drastically change.

Mason is better than the backup options the team has had over the past couple seasons, but if Jones stays healthy all season, I don't see Mason being worth a pick nearly that high. I like him several rounds later, and more as a waiver wire pickup in standard leagues - it just seems like a waste of a pick to take Mason this early.