We're thrilled to announce the launch of Yahoo Fantasy guillotine-style leagues presented by Liquid Death for this season. In this killer fantasy football game, fans compete for survival every week.
We have many articles on the strategy and differences you need to be mindful of when playing in guillotine-style leagues for fantasy football.
But now it’s time to apply that knowledge and figure out who you should be avoiding in this format.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy guillotine-style football league]
So, here are 10 players who are less valuable in guillotine-style leagues for a variety of reasons.
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Lions
Goff is coming off a fantastic fantasy campaign where he finished as the QB8 in fantasy points per game. Unfortunately for him, many of the elements that helped him reach those heights have changed. From his offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaving, to center Frank Ragnow’s retirement, to guard Kevin Zeitler signing with the Titans — things are different for the Lions offense. Goff is also going from one of the easiest fantasy schedules in 2024 where he only played three outdoor games during the regular season, to the fifth-toughest schedule where two of his first three appearances are outside. He also has to face the Packers and Bears in the opening two weeks, who were second and third in terms of fewest fantasy points allowed to QBs last year, respectively. Expecting Goff to help you advance through the first few games in a guillotine-style league seems like a mistake.
Geno Smith, Raiders
While Smith is generally an underrated fantasy asset and should have a good career in Las Vegas, there’s reason to be concerned about his performance in September. Getting acclimated to a new city, new coaches, new teammates and a new offense can take time. Trusting Smith to manage all those things and produce at a high level right out of the gate with the Raiders is risky. He also opens the season against the Patriots, Chargers, Commanders and Bears, who were all negative matchups for fantasy QBs a year ago.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon, Texans
The Texans have seemed reluctant to provide information on Mixon’s foot injury, but the latest report from Jordan Schultz is that the veteran back will miss multiple weeks of camp; the team is hoping he’ll be ready for Week 1. Head coach DeMeco Ryans failed to provide much of an update beyond that, leaving fantasy managers to guess at Mixon’s return timetable. Even if he gets back in the lineup before Week 1, Mixon will have more competition for touches than he did last season. With so many variables at play, Mixon becomes a hard player to draft in guillotine formats — where an injury-related absence to one of your starters could mean the end of your season.
D’Andre Swift, Bears
It was surprising when Chicago failed to make a meaningful addition to their running back depth chart this offseason, considering all the upgrades they brought in elsewhere on the offense. That leaves Swift as the incumbent starter, but for how long? The Bears open the season with a pair of divisional games against the Vikings and Lions, who were bottom-five in rushing yards and fantasy points permitted to RBs last year. If/when Swift struggles, Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai will be waiting to seize bigger roles in the backfield.
Kaleb Johnson, Steelers
High-end rookies come with less concern in guillotine-style leagues, but a third-rounder like Johnson is not quite a set-it-and-forget-it fantasy starter for Week 1. He’ll be splitting touches with Jaylen Warren, who is better in the passing game and in pass protection. Beat writers have pointed out that Johnson has struggled with his blocking in practice, which makes you immediately wonder if Aaron Rodgers will want Warren by his side more often until the rookie proves himself capable in that department.
Though I’m projecting Johnson to take over the early-down role vacated by Najee Harris, he might be the kind of first-year player who ramps up his production as the season progresses. You’ll likely be able to get him down the road when his team is eliminated because he took longer than expected to earn a big enough share of the Steelers’ backfield.
Wide Receivers
Rashee Rice, Chiefs
After being sentenced for his role in a car crash, Rice continues to wait for the NFL to make a decision on a potential suspension. There have been conflicting reports on the subject, with no one seeming to know for sure how long Rice might be forced to sit out. That makes him a very dangerous player to roster heading into a guillotine season. If he falls far enough in your draft and your starting lineup is already set, then Rice is a decent addition. Otherwise, target the rest of the Chiefs receivers like Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and rookie Jalen Royals.
Jordan Addison, Vikings
While he doesn’t offer the same fantasy ceiling as Rice, Addison is in a similar situation awaiting the league’s decision on a potential suspension after pleading guilty to a lesser vehicular offense. The possibility of missing games at the start of the season should cause him to drop in all fantasy formats, but it’s particularly problematic in guillotine-style leagues. If he is given a suspension, make sure to bump Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson and No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor up your draft boards.
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Godwin’s fantasy outlook has taken a few hits lately. He’s currently on the training camp PUP list, which he could be activated from anytime, but the team hasn’t provided a likely return date. ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported that the veteran receiver underwent a second procedure in the spring on the same ankle that cost him 10 games last season. In the meantime, first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka is earning a ton of praise from teammates and appears poised to step into Godwin’s role if he can’t make it back for Week 1. Even if Godwin does get activated in time, it’s fair to question how long it will take him to regain his pre-injury form. That doesn’t sound like the kind of player you want to invest in for your guillotine roster.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft, Packers
Kraft is one of my favorite breakout candidates and yet he is also someone I’d slightly hesitate to draft in guillotine. That’s because he has to take on the Commanders, Browns and Cowboys in the first month, who were all among the seven hardest matchups for tight ends last season. Prior to those contests, Kraft begins the year versus the Lions — a team that’s held him to 45 yards or less in their four meetings. If Kraft lets his original manager down and becomes available on the waiver wire after that stretch, he’s someone you should buy-low on for the rest of the year.
Colston Loveland, Bears
Much like Kraft, Loveland is a player I’m happy to select in most redraft leagues. However, let me preach caution for guillotine formats. The rookie missed some practice time with a shoulder injury and has been playing catch-up since taking the field in training camp. There’s still plenty of time for him to get up to speed, but the Bears have a lot of pass-catchers vying for targets (DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, D’Andre Swift). Even veteran tight end Cole Kmet could allow the coaching staff to incorporate Loveland in the offense a little slower than fantasy managers would like. All this is worth considering if you’re hoping the rookie can be your starting tight end from Day 1.
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