Much of fantasy football in-season owner 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 resource. Cutting a player - or adding them to a trade - opens a roster spot for a key waiver wire addition or flexibility to keep a currently injured player through a missed game or two. Here are the key players to cut or trade after Week 6:
SHALLOW FORMATS
*15-18 roster spots*
Why: Rivers faces a stingy adjusted strength of schedule over the next three weeks with Tennessee, Chicago, and Green Bay. Tennesse next week has allowed only eight touchdowns to six interceptions through six games and only one 300-yard passer. Rivers' season-high finish in QB9 and has included two finishes beyond QB24. In shallow formats, there are a myriad of quality streamers when typically 10 or more starters are available. Rivers is not a 'vice grip' option to keep rostered in the near term and have only one (Oakland in Week 10) strong matchup before their Week 12 bye.
Why: Drake's snaps have held steady, but Mark Walton's rise up the depth chart is a challenge to Drake's upside, which has been minimal to date (no top-20 finishes through Week 6). Drake has no touchdowns and it is tough to see a better game script than Week 6 when Washington and Miami squared off in the race for 1.01 in the NFL Draft. Kalen Ballage is the preferred goal-line back as well. The Bills and Steelers the next two weeks keep Drake offer the radar matchup-wise even if the Miami offensive struggles were not enough to hinder lineup decisions.
Why: The schedule tightens for Denver for opposing wide receivers with Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Cleveland up next before their Week 10 bye. Also, Sanders has struggled of late plus is less than full strength with a knee issue. Sanders has three weeks outside WR60 over the past month and Courtland Sutton has been a top-30 option each of the past four games.
Why: Dissly was an auto-start option before his early-exit in Week 6 with an Achilles injury. This is a second straight season ending early with a serious injury for the promising tight end. Dissly had an unreal four straight weeks of TE6 or better performances before his Week 4 protracted game. Dissly is a massive loss for a tight end position where there are more fantasy teams with question marks weekly than strong confidence in their starting options.
MEDIUM DEPTH
*18-22 roster spots*
Why: Keenum has produced three games quality games as a top-16 weekly option. However, his margin for error is thin with Dwayne Haskins looming and the possibility of a protracted game for being benched any given week. Week 6 was the optimal game left on the schedule for Washington and they barely survived against hapless Miami. San Francisco, Minnesota, and Buffalo offer an ominous trio of matchups before their bye week.
Why: With a 91% MFL ownership rate, Peterson enjoyed his 'day in the sun' against the equally-struggling Dolphins in Week 6. Game script was positive and Washington rode the veteran to a season-high of touches. Peterson was still a marginal impact despite the No.1 overall running back matchup and rare positive game script. With San Francisco, Minnesota, and Buffalo up next, Peterson is a fringe RB2 or flex at best based on volume only. Prioritize high-end running backs who are an injury away instead.
Why: Ginn has a mere nine receptions over the past four games, not surpassing 40 yards in any of said games. The Saints offense has shrunk this season in general without a go-to deep threat, which Ginn was previously, and the Teddy Bridgewater iteration is a 15-yards-and-in type passing game. Ginn is a low-level flex at best and has a top weekly finish of WR24 (Week 1) on the season. Pick up Ginn again entering (or after) the Saints' Week 9 bye (Atlanta, Tampa Bay matchups).
Why: Davis has missed the past two games, but he saw just four targets in each of the previous three games with a middling 6-64-0 stat line after a promising Week 1. Jordan Reed has been on the shelf the entire season and Davis has failed to produce even atop Washington's depth chart. Schedule-wise there are no strong matchups left on Washington's schedule for opposing tight ends. Davis is a low-level streamer at best and reserved for a roster spot in 2TE formats only.
DEEP FORMATS
*25+ roster spots, more dynasty-focused*
Jeffery Wilson
Why: The 49ers are back to full strength at running back and Wilson is firmly RB4 on the list. Wilson was the preferred red zone-goal line back and collected four touchdowns on 18 carries between Weeks 2-3. However, Wilson needs at least one injury, if not two, to be relevant for lineup decisions even in deeper leagues.
DErnest Johnson
Why: Deeper dynasty GMs could squint and see a scenario where if Nick Chubb were to miss time before Kareem Hunt returns from suspension Johnson would be the lead back for the Browns. However, Chubb has remained healthy and Hunt's return is looming to squeeze any window for Johnson to realize that potential upside. Dontrell Hilliard is healthy as well, making Johnson a luxury hold only in the deepest of dynasty formats.
Why: Lee exited Week 6 with a foot injury and was already an afterthought in the Jaguars passing game with a mere three targets on the season despite being active in five games. Lee offered some upside if full strength entering the season but D.J. Chark and Dede Westbrook are clearly preferred options and Lee is battling his own injuries independent regardless of his (middling) depth chart standing to bounce back to relevance this season.
Why: Both are older veterans and Watson has failed to stick with a roster on his last gasp for NFL viability, even the tight end hungry Patriots over the likes of Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo. Clay is splitting time with Maxx Williams in Arizona, where they sparsely play tight ends in offense. Clay was a preseason bet on 'at least he is an NFL starter, there is built-in upside in the role' but Clay is a marginal talent in a less-than-marginal situation.
