2012 Fantasy Football Busts: Buffalo Bills Running Back Fred Jackson

The argument can be made that no running back was hotter in the first half of the 2011 season than Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, that may not be the case this year as the 31-year-old running back should be considered one of the top 2012 Fantasy Football Busts this upcoming season.

Despite recording 1,376 yards from the line of scrimmage to go along with six touchdowns in 2011, Jackson missed the final six games of the regular season after breaking his leg–which left the door open for C.J. Spiller to show off what he could do for the Bills in the backfield. Spiller ended up averaging 105 yards from the line of scrimmage over the final six games for Buffalo when Jackson went down with the injury and there’s a good chance the Bills will want to use him more in 2012–which means Jackson could receive fewer carries than he’s used to.

On top of the losing carries, Jackson is at that age where everybody wonders whether or not running backs will still be as effective. Most running backs tend to decline once they hit the 30-year mark and it’s difficult not to wonder whether or not Jackson will be able to produce the type of numbers he’s put up over the last three seasons.

The potential is certainly there, but Jackson seems like one of those risky picks fantasy owners may want to avoid for the 2012 season. Expect Jackson to be selected in the mid-to-later rounds in most fantasy football leagues.