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Few players have brought more fantasy football glory to his supporters than Christian McCaffrey. Unfortunately, few players have also brought more heartache than the San Francisco standout. The 49ers’ star was the No. 1 running back in fantasy last season for the third time in his career. That matched his performance in 2023 for the Niners and in 2019 for Carolina. He racked up 2,126 total yards and 17 touchdowns. A future hall of famer, no doubt. Here’s the problem. After each of his previous two No. 1 years, his next season was cut short by injury. The greatest ability is availability, and doubts about McCaffrey’s are one reason he has been surpassed by Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson in the RB rankings. And by several all-world receivers in the first round of fantasy drafts. We’d think twice about putting all of our chips on CMC, who already has missed time this summer. That also goes for these players we suspect might be over-hyped and overrated heading into this fantasy season: Overrated running backs De’Von Achane (Dolphins) — On any other team he’d still be a top-10 fantasy pick. But these 2026 Dolphins could be embarrassing, even by State of Florida standards. Miami’s lone star will be hard-pressed to get close to his 2025 totals of 1,838 yards and 12 TDs. Breece Hall (Jets) — This perennial underachiever is ranked in the mid-teens among RBs, and that might be high. Last year he barely topped 1,000 yards for the first time, and he has never managed more than five TD runs in a season. And this New York offense always disappoints. Bucky Irving (Buccaneers) — He’s still considered a top-20 RB despite running for only a single TD in his injury-plagued 2025. Seems too high, especially since Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker will get their share of goal-line opportunities. His rookie heroics seem long ago. TreVeyon Henderson (Patriots) — The most overhyped rookie RB of last season, this former Buckeye scored only once in his first nine games and posted only two 100-yards games. A ranking of 24th is way too high for a guy who might wind up backing up Rhamondre Stevenson. R.J. Harvey (Broncos) — Another ’25 rookie disappointment, with only 540 rushing yards and seven TDs. He has fallen behind J.K. Dobbins on the Denver depth chart and could be surpassed by rookie Jonah Coleman. Should be nothing more than a late-round flier. Others — Ashton Jeanty (Raiders), Aaron Jones Sr. (Vikings), Travis Etienne (Saints), Javonte Williams (Cowboys), Tony Pollard (Titans), Tyron Tracy (Giants). Overrated receivers A.J. Brown (Patriots) — Still considered a top-10 fantasy receiver after pouting his way to a third NFL team in five years. And New England is a place where he will see more double-coverage than he saw in Philly or Tennessee. Could be the fourth straight season he sees a statistical decline. Rashee Rice (Chiefs) — The only top-12 wideout who spent part of the offseason in jail for a marijuana-caused probation violation. Injuries have limited him to only 12 games the past two years, though he did score seven TDs. With so many strong WRs on the market, why trust Cheech and Chong? Malik Nabers (Giants) — The 2024 rookie sensation played only four games last year before blowing out his knee. He needed follow-up surgery in the spring. Yet he has only dropped to 17th in consensus rankings. We’re wary of his knee, and how long it takes to build chemistry with Jaxson Dart. D.K. Metcalf (Steelers) — This former standout barely ranks in the top 30 after managing just a single TD in the second half of last season. He topped 32 yards only once in that span. Aaron Rodgers is likely to take more shots at Anthony Fauci this fall than he does this former Pro Bowler. Others — George Pickens (Cowboys), Garrett Wilson (Jets), Drake London (Falcons), Zay Flowers (Ravens), Jerry Jeudy (Browns), Jameson Williams (Lions), Davante Adams (Rams). Overrated quarterbacks Jayden Daniels (Commanders) — The 2024 rookie of the year was a 2025 train wreck due to injury. Concerns about his fragility amped up, and his total of only two TD runs could be a sign of caution to come. But he’s still considered top-six by many, and that is too rich for our blood. Jaxson Dart (Giants) — The New York hype machine has some ranking Dart as a top-10 QB, mostly because he ran for nine scores as a rookie. But with Cam Skattebo to hand the ball to in the red zone, we’re guessing new coach John Harbaugh will not give Dart a similar green light. Matthew Stafford (Rams) — Spoiler alert: Stafford may play in another Super Bowl in February. What he won’t do again in his age 38 season is lead the league in passing yards (4,707) or TDs (46). The NFL’s top candidate for fantasy regression will be surpassed in fantasy stats by at least 15 QBs. Others — Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Drake Maye (Patriots), Jordan Love (Packers), Tyler Shough (Saints), J.J. McCarthy (Vikings). Overrated tight ends Trey McBride (Cardinals) — Only Ja’Marr Chase has more than McBride’s 316 targets over the past two seasons, but this guy is no Ja’Marr Chase. New Arizona coach Matt LaFleur is expected to focus on the run much more, so McBride’s numbers will drop significantly. Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns) — How is this mildly talented fellow as high as the fifth-rated TE? Sure, he had 731 yards and six touchdowns last season. But have you seen the Cleveland Quarterback Room? Fannin is also coming off groin surgery, another reason to doubt his hype. Kyle Pitts Sr. (Falcons) — He improved somewhat with the arrival of Michael Penix Jr., and is rated seventh at his position. But there are a slew of comparable tight ends we’d wait to draft instead of this candidate for regression who has averaged only three TDs per season. Others — Dallas Goedert (Eagles), Sam LaPorta (Lions), Dalton Kincaid (Bills), Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), T.J. Hockenson (Vikings). Coming up The spirit of Nipsey Russell will be with us all on September 6 when we present the “Match Game” legend-inspired NFL preview. You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.