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.

Shallow Formats

*15-18 roster spots*

QB Will Levis, Tennessee

Why: The glorious matchup against Jacksonville (at home, mind you) resulted in Levis totaling 171 yards, no touchdowns, and six points for Tennessee's offense. The ideal circumstances still produced a dud outcome for Levis and Co. With the elevated playoff matchups for the next three weeks, no matchup can make a fantasy lineup comfortable with Levis in there, including the Jaguars again in Week 17 and the Bengals in Week 15.

RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland

Why: Fantasy playoff lineups are about trust. Do you trust the player, the situation, and the process of setting your lineups? Nick Chubb has lost his grip on the starting job in Cleveland as the Browns are constantly in a negative game script. Chubb has five receptions over seven games, and Jerome Ford is the primary receiving option. Chubb's lone game of import was infused with two rushing scores. Also, Chubb has yet to regain his after-contact or big-play upside. Chubb should be nowhere near lineups in the win-or-go-home playoffs.

RB Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas

Why: Alexander Mattison missing multiple games has resulted in the rise of Sincere McCormick, and Mattison is likely returning to a secondary role. The Raiders are in "assess for the future" mode of the season, and McCormick offers more for 2025 and beyond than Mattison in a best case. Mattison at RB39 in Roster Rate is overpriced in both redraft and dynasty for an older backup who has played his way out of two starting opportunities in two seasons.

Medium Depth

*18-22 roster spots*

WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville

Why: Parker Washington's grand rising in Week 13 with 6-103-1 came crashing down in Week 14 to show the fragility of the Jacksonville offense and Washington's shaky role. Washington has 133 over the other seven games this season. With Day 3 pedigree and on a depth chart with phenom Brian Thomas Jr. and entrenched Evan Engram, Washington has little upward mobility on the passing game pecking order.

WR Allen Lazard, NY Jets

Why: Allen Lazard's return to the Jets lineup was nearly invisible, with a single target and being buried behind target monsters Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson. Lazard was fantasy-relevant without Davante Adams in New York, but now a shadow. In redraft formats, Lazard is a comfortable drop for the final weeks.

 Deep Formats

*25+ roster spots, more dynasty-focused*

RB Jamaal Williams, New Orleans

Why: Kendre Miller returned to the lineup in Week 14 and instantly pushed Jamaal Williams to the RB3 role and distantly away from a potential lead role if Alvin Kamara misses time. Also, Williams as the starter in the event of Kamara and Miller missing time in the closing three weeks is a flimsy lineup decision considering New Orleans' offense is crumbling by the week, now without their top two wide receivers and starting quarterback.

RB Dare Ogunbowale, Houston

Why: Houston comes off their Week 14 bye with the last data point of Dare Ogunbowale and Dameon Pierce in a full split for the RB2/3 roles. Also, Houston has a tough playoff slate by strength of schedule. Ogunbowale is a weak redraft hold and even weaker in dynasty as an upcoming free agent. At best, Ogunbowale would be the receiving side of a split committee if Joe Mixon were to miss time within the next two games.

RB Hassan Haskins, LA Chargers

Why: J.K. Dobbins' absence has not elevated Hassan Haskins' status on the depth chart at all. Kimani Vidal rose in role and Gus Edwards is the de facto starter. Haskins is a situational short-yardage option and yet to be anything more. Outside of 35+ roster spots or heavy RB-premium scoring, Haskins is a universal drop in all formats.

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