Cutting the Cord, Waiver Wire Drops: Week 9

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 8:

Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues

Shallow Formats

*15-18 roster spots*

RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland

Why: Jerome Ford's injury coincided with Nick Chubb's return to the starting role. Add in Cleveland's Week 10 bye and Ford is a multi-week hold on the prospect of being an injury-away option later in the season. Ford is one of the sub-optimal backup running backs to roster in shallow formats on multiple levels.

RB Zamir White, Las Vegas

Why: Zamir White at RB49 in Roster Rate is one of the more perplexing data points at running back. Considering White languished as the starter early in the season, missed time, and now has returned to a clear backup role, White makes little sense as a bench spot. white has six touches over the past two games since his return.

WR Tutu Atwell, LA Rams

Why: WR65 in Roster Rate, Atwell plummeted in involvement with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from injury in Week 8. Atwell was barely on the field as the WR4/5 in the rotation and both Kupp and Nacua emerged without an injury setback. Atwell is a drop in shallow and moderate-depth leagues as a result.

WR Diontae Johnson, Baltimore

Why: Johnson exits a Carolina environment where he has dominated targets on a per-route basis this season, especially with Andy Dalton. Now, Johnson enters Baltimore, where Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews are entrenched elements and Baltimore is already a below-expected pass rate offense. Strangely, Johnson's dynasty trade valuation is up with the trade to Baltimore.