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 13:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues.
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta
Why: Will Kirk Cousins survive Week 14 against the Vikings? Atlanta is down with their "mess around and find out" margin for the division lead, now deadlocked with Tampa Bay at 6-6. Cousins threw the game away in Week 13 with a trip to Minnesota up next. Investing a high pick in quarterback and then proceeding not to play him in the preseason as they "knew what they have" in Michael Penix Jr. is made for this situation. If Cousins struggles and the team is drawing live for the playoffs, the lefty out of the bullpen can enter the game. We are at that point in Cousins' play and the Falcons' season.
RB Gus Edwards, LA Chargers
Why: Is Gus Edwards a fantasy starter? J.K. Dobbins is out and Edwards was still unplayable. This is also one of the worst high-leverage opportunity offenses for running backs in the NFL. Dropping Edwards might seem crazy, but if your opponent picks him up and plays him against you in the closing four weeks, are you worried or excited? Also, the Chiefs are a tough running back matchup up in Week 14.
Medium Depth
*18-22 roster spots*
RB Ameer Abdullah, Las Vegas
Why: Sincere McCormick stole the show (albeit a tepid show) in the Raiders' backfield against the Chiefs. Abdullah was bailed out in Week 12 with five receptions and a receiving touchdown. There was no such fortune in Week 13 with 12 total touches and just two targets. Even if Zamir White and/or Alexander Mattison continue to miss time, Abdullah lost his fantasy starting viability this past week.
RB Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay
Why: Emanuel Wilson has lost his injury-away viability in Green Bay. While the preferred rushing option behind Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks is the preferred receiving option. Wilson has not received a target in the past three games and Marshawn Lloyd is expected back in Week 15.
WR Diontae Johnson, Baltimore
Why: The honeymoon weeks of Diontae Johnson getting incorporated into the Baltimore offense are over and Johnson has devolved into receiving zero snaps in Week 13. This despite Rashod Bateman exiting with injury. Tylan Wallace and Nelson Agholor were given priority. Johnson has a Week 14 bye plus zero confidence of a rise to start him in any capacity in the fantasy playoffs. Yet, Johnson is rostered in half of Yahoo leagues and is WR52 in Roster Rate on MFL.
TE Tyler Conklin, NY Jets
Why: The matchup pointed towards a bounce-back opportunity for Tyler Conklin in Week 13. The result? 7.2 PPR points on five targets. Those five targets were the highest tally since Week 5, which is a negative statement regarding Conklin's involvement rather than a positive. As the Jets offense struggles to find their way, Conklin is behind two target vacuums in Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson. From a dynasty lens, trying out Jeremy Ruckert in the starting role to close the season makes sense for the Jets.
Deep Formats
*25+ roster spots, more dynasty-focused*
RB Jordan Mims, New Orleans
Why: Jamaal Williams returned to the lineup and Jordan Mims was a healthy scratch in Week 13. Mims was an obligatory add/hold while the de facto RB2 in New Orleans but with Williams back plus Kendre Miller (fingers crossed) back soon, Mims is a cut recommendation.
RB Hassan Haskins, LA Chargers
Why: J.K. Dobbins was out of the lineup and Hasaan Haskins saw zero upside in utilization. Instead, Kimani Vidal moved up and Gus Edwards was clearly ahead of Haskins. Haskins was a forgotten dynasty asset in the offseason, remaining that way despite a notable injury on the depth chart.
WR Luke McCaffrey, Washington
Why: Likely rostered due to pedigree alone, McCaffrey has been an abject disappointment thus far. The Washington WR2 role has been wide open and in rotation all season and yet McCaffrey, as a Round 3 pick, has not sniffed the role. McCaffrey is averaging 12 yards per game and an invisible 0.74 yards per route run and 11% target per route run.
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