Some players just aren’t worth the headache

Last season, I declared Cam Newton the “Most Frustrating Player in Fantasy Football.” Perhaps exasperating is the better term, but whatever words you use to describe him, they probably aren’t consistently flattering.

Newton will drive you crazy because he can go for weeks at a time with mediocre performances, then he’ll put on a dazzling show as he did yesterday while sitting on your bench.

Not my bench, mind you. I learned my lesson with Cam a couple years ago.

But Newton has plenty of competition for the “MFP Award” this season.

Percy Harvin, anyone? Of course, he has yet to produce much of anything this season. But three-quarters of his owners continue to start him because they know what he’s capable of. Like three TDs in Week 5, all nullified by penalty. With that type of potential, you have to start Harvin the following week! Enjoy that big fat goose egg.

How about Joe Flacco? He’s so unreliable, he’s only owned in about a third of all leagues. But he’ll be a hot waiver wire pickup now, thanks to his five-TD frenzy in the first 16 minutes of Sunday’s game. You can bet he’ll remind you why he was available next week.

Torrey Smith can’t blame Flacco for his up-and-down track record. After all, Steve Smith has soared in his first few games as a Raven.

T.Y. Hilton arguably doesn’t belong on this list, since he at least contributes the yardage when held out of the end zone. But more than 70 percent of his owners were disappointed enough to bench him this weekend while he torched the Texans for 223 yards and a score.

Big Ben Roethlisberger can be a big tease. I just traded my way off the Reggie Bush rollercoaster. And anyone that ever took the bait on Eddie Royal knows all about frustration. 

There, I’m glad I got that off my chest.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings. I recommended McKinnon after he racked up 152 total yards in Week 4, and I’m doing it again. The rookie started over Matt Asiata against the Lions and was clearly the superior talent. In addition to out-running Asiata, he reeled in six passes, making McKinnon especially valuable in PPR leagues.

Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers. The veteran has been hampered by a series of injuries (neck, calf, groin) this year – after missing all but the first two games of 2013 – but he’s been a favorite target of Philip Rivers when healthy. Floyd had his best game of the season Sunday (103 yards, 1 TD) and has three scores to date. He isn’t every-week-starter material, but he’s a solid bye-week or injury sub.

Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, Giants. Here’s another rookie getting a second referral, this time in response to the season-ending knee injury to Victor Cruz. The Giants were manhandled on Sunday night, but there will be better days for the offense, and for Beckham.

Andre Holmes, WR, Raiders. The third-year wideout has collected nine passes (on 20 targets) for 195 yards and 3 TDs over the last two games. So what’s not to like? Well, he plays for the Raiders, and that’s reason enough to temper your expectations. Consider this an unenthusiastic recommendation for the most desperate of owners.

Don’t be fooled

Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens. See above and save yourself the heartache.

Brandon Bolden, RB, Patriots. Others will tell you to grab Bolden now that Stevan Ridley has gone down with a potentially severe knee injury. But Bolden was on the roster bubble in New England this preseason, nearly losing his job to rookie James White. White may be the better pickup, but I wouldn’t rush to invest in this frustrating backfield.

Storm Johnson, RB, Jaguars. It was hard enough for me to recommend a Raiders wideout; you can’t expect me to advocate a Jaguar runner, too! The rookie plunged in for a short TD on Sunday, but his 21 yards on 10 carries against the Titans tells you all you need to know. Let someone else claim him.