Much of fantasy football's in-season team strategy centers around which players to pick up from the waiver wire or to target in the trade market. However, roster spots are a premium (and finite) resource. Cutting a player - or adding them to a trade - opens a roster spot for a key waiver wire addition or the flexibility to keep a currently injured player through a missed game or two. Here are the key players to cut or trade after Week 5:
*Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues*
SHALLOW FORMATS
*15-18 roster spots*
QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Why: Rostered in 72% of MFL leagues, Tannehill is a low-ceiling play at a position where streamers are easier to find as the season progresses, and poor defenses have built a sample size to target for matchups. Tannehill's weapons consist of a chain-moving Robert Woods, a sporadic deep shot to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and little else. In addition, Tannehill's rushing has fallen through the floor in 2022, averaging a paltry 4.6 yards per game. This after consistently posting 15-17 yards per contest over the previous three years. Also, his rushing touchdowns have dried up (regression) after 14 scores over 33 games leading up to 22 and now finding the end zone just a single time through five games. Tannehill entering his bye week is a perfect time to shed him in stock 1QB formats.
RB Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
Why: Gibson is one of the highest Roster Rates (RB23) in this year's Cutting the Cord at the position. Washington's depth chart is a mess, with Brian Robinson making his debut in Week 5. Gibson saw a mere six touches. Robinson will likely see goal-line looks and J.D. McKissic plenty of hurry-up work late in halves. Gibson is squeezed from both sides, and there is a glut of running backs with far lower Roster Rates with more (and easier) outs to strong fantasy production.