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 11:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues.
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta
Why: QB14 is an aggressive valuation for a fade player, but Cousins and Atlanta have an in-house option in Michael Penix Jr. as a pivot, plus they still have playoff (and division) aspirations. The schedule also is working against Cousins with a Week 12 bye, with the Chargers and Vikings following. If in must-win scenarios, holding Cousins and not starting him potentially for the rest of the fantasy regular season is difficult in shallower redraft formats.
RB Raheem Mostert, Miami
Why: RB32 in Roster Rate, Raheem Mostert has eroded from a committee with De'Vone Achane to being a clear backup and is now injured and a question mark. Mostert will be tough to trust even if Achane misses time down the stretch, and Week 12 against New England offers the best matchup left for Miami running backs.
TE Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh
Why: Pat Freiermuth has posted more than 10 PPR points in a game just once this season and his worst stretch has come since Russell Wilson took over as the starting quarterback. The last time Freiermuth had more than three targets in a game was Week 4, plus Darnell Washington has eight receptions over the past four games including two chunk plays. With low passing volume and George Pickens' strong market share, there is little room for anyone else to be fantasy viable.
Medium Depth
*18-22 roster spots*
RB Ty Chandler, Minnesota
Why: RB61 in Roster Rate, Chandler is still valued as a primary back despite Cam Akers lapping him on the Vikings' depth chart. With Aaron Jones' propensity to miss games, the RB2 role for Minnesota is a valuable one but currently held by Akers. Chandler is a better dynasty stash (with Jones and Akers free agents in the offseason) than a redraft hold.
RB Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay
Why: Another game and another data point with Chris Brooks rising on the Green Bay depth chart. Wilson was the clarified RB2 earlier in the season but has since lost his grip to Brooks. Also, Marshawn Lloyd has been activated off of injured reserve to have every opportunity to be the RB2 in the coming weeks. Wilson was a great stash in October but one to return to the waiver wire by mid-November.
WR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay
Why: Dontayvion Wicks is a dynasty stash darling but a sub-optimal redraft temptress. Wicks is the WR4 in Green Bay, which is off the streaming radar every week. One lesson with Wicks is for those with a dynasty mindset in redraft leagues, which can lead to more of a long-term vision with bench spots as opposed to what can help now. The best lens in which Wicks can help is for the top teams in a redraft league earmarked for the playoffs as opposed to fighting for a playoff spot.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City
Why: JuJu Smith-Schuster returned to the Chiefs' lineup in Week 11 but had sagged down in the pecking order. Smith-Schuster played roughly half of the routes of Justin Watson and sparsely more than bit player Mecole Hardman. All of those options were secondary to Xavier Worthy and DeAndre Hopkins. Smith-Schuster's 130-yard performance a few weeks ago might as well have been in 2022 in terms of relevance.
Deep Formats
*25+ roster spots, more dynasty-focused*
RB Dalvin Cook, Dallas
Why: Dalvin Cook had a crack of an opportunity when Ezekiel Elliott was inactive for a week but has receded to the RB3 role. Rico Dowdle is healthy and Cook is not even an injury-away option. This on a Dallas team circling the drain offensively and overall with no Dak Prescott and the playoffs a 2025 hope rather than a 2024 proposition.
WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville
Why: Parker Washington popped up as a streaming candidate when Christian Kirk went down and Gabe Davis was also dinged up. That was before Trevor Lawrence went down and is potentially out for the rest of the season. Jacksonville's offense looks done with Mac Jones. Washington also has little appeal in the offseason with his Day 3 pedigree, a slow start to his career, and Brian Thomas Jr.. and Evan Engram already dominating targets enough on the team projecting toward 2025.
WR D.J. Chark Jr, LA Chargers
Why: D.J. Chark Jr was a valid stash while he recovered from injury over the first half of the season. However, Chark was a healthy scratch in Week 11 after being blanked in his return to action in Week 10. Quentin Johnston has solidified his outside receiver status, Joshua Palmer is solid, and Ladd McConkey continues to rise in import for the passing game. Even if active, Chark would be blocked on the depth chart.
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