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 14:
*Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues*
This is the final redraft-centric installment of the season, looking at playoff schedules and players to fade for lineup and roster decisions in the closing weeks. In Week 16, a dynasty slant for the offseason will close the season series of Cutting the Cord.
QUARTERBACKS
QB Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Why: Unless streaming Howell in Week 15, the rest of the playoff schedule is the toughest in the NFL (Jets-49ers) with both -3.0 aSOS PPG or more difficult.
QB Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
Why: Carolina is one of the toughest Week 15 matchups on the board (-4.0 PPG), and the Falcons are likely to have positive game script to lower volume from last week's shootout with Tampa Bay.
RUNNING BACKS
RB Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Why: The Eagles are the toughest aSOS matchup on the board for Week 15 and the Seattle running backs. Tennessee is slightly better, but still one to avoid in Week 16. Also, Walker and Zach Charbonnet both returned to the lineup in Week 14, and Charbonnet's 56% rushing share limits Walker's upside as Seattle is 26th in running back targets as well.
RB Devin Singletary, Houston Texans
Why: C.J. Stroud's exit with concussion clouds his Week 15 status and downgrades the offensive projection for Houston. Dare Ogunbowale was more involved than in previous weeks to limit Singletary to a 41% route share. Also, Houston is the lone team with three straight negative aSOS running back matchups left in the fantasy playoffs (Titans, Browns, Titans).
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, New England Patriots
Why: In addition to the Patriots' quarterback and offensive struggles, the schedule is sour the next two weeks in aSOS. New England draws Kansas City and Denver, both -4.0 PPG or stronger against opposing wide receivers. In critical games, do not get sucked into Smith-Schusters' 23% target share from Week 14.
WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Why: Carolina is an avoid matchup for opposing passing games (-6.2 PPG versus wide receivers) in Week 15. Plus, Atlanta has two more negative receiver matchups in the fantasy playoffs (Colts, Bears). London is coming off a monster effort in Week 14 on a tough-to-trust Atlanta passing game (read: quarterback).
TIGHT ENDS
TE Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Why: C.J. Stroud is likely to miss Week 15 with a concussion, and Dalton Schultz is returning from injury himself. Add the worst aSOS slate in the playoffs for tight ends with the Titans, Browns, and Titans (all -3.0 or worse in PPG differential), and Schultz is an easy lineup avoid among the non-auto-start tight ends.
TE Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Why: The Browns and Cardinals are both tough aSOS matchups over the next two weeks with the schedule softening for Week 17 (Atlanta). Kmet is more of an option for fantasy teams with a bye week than those fighting to stay alive in Week 15 in Round 1 of the playoffs.
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