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.