Photo: USA Today Sports

Moving past the July 4th holiday in the United States has always signaled what I would consider the start of summer’s farewell tour. You ramp back into back-to-school shopping as a parent, and if your school had a summer reading/working program, you likely began to cram this in as we start to return to the fall-spring routine! For the upcoming fantasy football season, one of those routines is beginning to get ready (or maybe continuing the leg work for you true degenerates) to win your league! While it is normal for people to look at the star sleeper who no one knows will emerge and lead your team to victory, it is also important to look at who may have a favorable reputation but could be in for a letdown. Welcome to the 2024 IDP Busts series! We start with future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack.

Khalil Mack Returns to Form

To be considered a bust this season, we must identify why a player would be worthy of a high pick. Last season, Mack had his best statistical output since 2017. He had 74 tackles, with 17 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He had five games where he recorded multiple sacks, and despite many doubts about whether he would be productive (let alone dominant), he proved to us that the former two-position all-pro was far from being considered washed. Comparing his latest season with his overall resume as a player, you may begin to talk yourself into why Mack will be a dominating player till the bitter end. He finished last season as DE2 (depending on your scoring), and he plays a position group loaded with talent in the NFL and college. He also didn’t miss a start last season despite having injury designations all season. So, everything is perfect, and Khalil Mack is a league winner, right? I'm sorry to say that this season, he will take a step backward.