The NFL is full of characters, there is no question about it but some of those characters also find themselves in trouble either both on and/or off the field which can impact their team’s performance.  When it comes to the fantasy game, every point counts and having a guy on your roster who may find himself suspended, benched or just checked out because he is not getting the ball only hurts your chances of winning your fantasy matchup.  So here is an idea worth considering entering this upcoming fantasy football season, stop drafting head cases.  Who are these head cases you my be wondering?  Well let me breakdown a few names for you.

Martavis Bryant WR, PIT

Are we 100% sure that Bryant is going to be on the field come Week 1?  Nope! How can we be? The man was suspended for all of the 2016 season because he can’t not smoke weed and whether or not you agree with the rule is irrelevant.  The fact is Bryant has now been suspended twice for a weed violation which is entering Josh Gordon and Justin Blackmon territory.  In case you forgot both Josh Gordon and Justin Blackmon are on indefinite suspension from the league due to their repeated violations. Sure, when on the field Bryant is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses who already have their hands full trying to cover Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell but as Bryant’s ADP continues to rise up the draft boards there becomes more of a potential risk that he slips up during camp or even during the season and finds himself suspended again.

Dez Bryant WR, DAL

Recent injury issues aside, we have seen Bryant have more than his fair share of sideline blowups whether it be at the head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterback or defensive players nobody is off limits when it comes to Bryant's temper.  Now, most of the time it comes from a good place as he is one of the leagues biggest competitors but at times his emotions will get him into and on the side lines.  Dez is going in the second round this season and he is a first round type of talent but is he worth the risk?  With second-year QB Dak Prescott under center if Dez feels he is not getting the ball enough chemistry in Dallas could get a bit disrupted. 

Ezekiel Elliott RB, DAL

Elliott had a fantastic rookie season, rushing for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns.  Unfortunately he heads into his sophomore season under the cloud of a looming suspension following a domestic violence case.  Elliott has also been involved in a bar fight this offseason and was caught on video pulling down a girls top and exposing her while on video.  In both of those matters however charges were not filed despite the video evidence of both situations.  Though charges were not filed however the league still has a conduct policy which Elliott could very well be in violation of.  Elliott is currently being taken among the first five picks of fantasy drafts this season.  Would you risk drafting Elliott if a suspension was to come down on him?  Do you trust that he is capable of avoiding the drama?  So far I have my doubts.

Odell Beckham Jr. WR, NYG

We have all seen the sideline blowups with OBJ, especially last year’s incident with the kicking net which saw him fight the kicking net one week and then propose to the kicking net a few weeks later.  Beckham is one of the more emotional players in the entire league and while he has stayed clear of off the field problems for the most part it’s his inconsistency on the field that are a bit troubling at times.  Now to be fair Eli Manning has to be one of the more frustrating QB’s to play with given his poorly timed interceptions and inconsistent play but Beckham also demands the football to come his way seemingly every play and when things do not go his way we see him act like a child on the sideline.  We have also seen him have a few on field scuffles, most notably with Josh Norman which lead to a rule change in 2016 regarding unsportsmanlike like conduct penalties leading to ejections.  With Beckham being taken in the first round there is certainly some risk that his temper could cost him some snaps this season.  Something that may be too risky given his ADP.

Brandon Marshall WR, NYG

Yup, things could get a bit tumultuous in New York this season as Brandon Marshall signed with the Giants and will start opposite of Odell Beckham.  Marshall of course is no stranger to both on and off the field issues during his NFL career.  He has been vocal about problems with his quarterback, has complained about not getting the ball enough, has forced team’s to trade him and has got into arguments with teammates.  He has also quit on the field on more than a few occasions whether it be not finishing routes, putting out effort or coming up lame with phantom injuries that cost him snaps.  Marshall has also had his share of off the field problems since entering the league which included arrests for domestic assault a few years back. With Marshall being drafted as a WR2 you have to at least wonder if he and Beckham can co-exist while having to deal with Eli Manning’s Jeklly and Hyde type performances on a week to week basis.

Joe Mixon RB, CIN

The Oklahoma running back was taken in the 2nd round of the draft this season by the Cincinnati Bengals which speaks volumes about his talent given the dark cloud that surrounded him coming into the league.  Mixon had his share of legal troubles while in college, most notably his assault charge which he punched a women in the face which caused multiple broken bones.  This assault was caught on tape.  Mixon was sentenced to community service as part of his plea agreement and settled with the victim of his assault.  He was then suspended in 2016 for an issue with a parking attendant and police officer regarding a citation.  In this case Mixon allegedly drove his car towards the office in a manner that was deemed to “intimidate the office” according to the report.  Mixon is being drafted around the fourth round of most standard leagues but one has to wonder if he is capable of staying out of trouble, especially given some of the players already on the Bengals roster who are no stranger to off the field incidents….looking at you  Adam Jones.

Of course these players are talented and when on the field can put up elite level numbers that can help you win your leagues but there are also plenty of other players with similar ADP’s who are less of a headache and less of a risk to own so why chance it?  Instead of OBJ take a Mike Evans or Julio Jones.  Instead of Dez Bryant go for Jordy Nelson or Michael Thomas.  You catch my drift here but ultimately the choice is yours so good luck drafting this year.