Bye weeks have thinned fantasy football rosters in recent weeks, but fantasy managers have found ways to keep their lineups afloat.
Fantasy football owners have relied on waiver wire injury replacements and matchup-based streamers to carry their lineups. But as some top players return to lineups after their time off, these replacements will provide diminishing returns for their fantasy managers.
That will lead to some difficult add/drop decisions; and while it may seem counterproductive to cut a player who started at a prominent position mere days before, it is sometimes the best option.
Here’s a look at five players to cut after Week 6 of the fantasy football season, including a former top handcuff and a few recent, high-quality streaming options.
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Waiver wire players to drop: Week 7
Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fields has been a fine streamer for fantasy managers this year, and his rushing ability gives him a quality floor most weeks. That said, there are a couple of reasons to drop him if you need to in Week 7.
First, Fields is facing the New York Jets this week. The Jets should be able to contain him on the ground better than most, so that will make him a sit candidate in Week 7 before his more favorable matchups against the New York Giants and Washington Commanders.
Second, Russell Wilson is now waiting in the wings and could take over for Fields at any point if the fourth-year quarterback struggles. Fields has a 4-2 record so Mike Tomlin may not be champing at the bit to bench him, but the fact of the matter is that Fields’ job isn’t nearly as secure as some of the other top streaming options at the position.
Stashing Fields to use in Weeks 8 and 9 would be fine, but don’t be afraid to cut him to add another playmaker or quarterback to your fantasy roster. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get him back even if you do let him hang out on the waiver wire for a week.
Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Many fantasy football managers drafted Edwards hoping he would become the No. 1 back in the Chargers’ run-heavy offense. Instead, J.K. Dobbins has emerged as the more explosive threat for Los Angeles, relegating Edwards to top handcuff status.
The Chargers placed Edwards on IR before Week 6 with an ankle injury, so he will be out until at least Week 10. His absence allowed Kimani Vidal to be active for the first time in his NFL career, and Vidal responded by racking up 51 yards and a receiving touchdown on six total touches in his first game.
Vidal is an explosive pass-catcher, and if he performs well with Edwards out, the rookie should hold onto the No. 2 running back role behind Dobbins. That will give Edwards little fantasy value for the rest of the season.
Trey Sermon, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Sermon got a second consecutive start in place of the injured Jonathan Taylor, but once again, he didn’t fully take advantage of his opportunities.
Sermon saw a team-high 18 carries but turned them into just 29 yards. He didn’t log a catch or a touchdown, so he disappointed all fantasy owners who hoped he would be a safe, high-volume flex despite a middling matchup against a good Tennessee Titans run defense.
Taylor’s status for Week 7 and beyond is uncertain, but it’s hard to imagine trusting Sermon again, even in a favorable matchup against a weak Miami Dolphins defense. Sermon may get a touchdown to be fantasy relevant, but it’s also possible the Colts will give Tyler Goodson (eight carries, 51 yards) more work. That would essentially eliminate Sermon’s fantasy value.
Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Both Davante Adams (hamstring) and Jakobi Meyers (ankle) missed the Raiders’ Week 6 game against the Steelers, so fantasy football owners were hopeful Tucker could emerge as a high-volume receiving option for receiver-needy lineups.
Instead, Tucker disappointed. He was targeted just twice by Aidan O’Connell and failed to log a reception. Perhaps the second-year speedster will be better in easier matchups, but O’Connell’s lack of high-end arm strength will limit Tucker’s downfield potential. And if Meyers or Adams returns to action in the coming weeks, Tucker will likely become a fantasy afterthought — if he isn’t already.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Any hope that Likely would emerge as the Ravens’ top pass-catching tight end during the 2024 NFL season appears to be gone. He has blown up twice during the first six weeks of the season — posting 111 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs and logging two touchdowns in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals — but in his four other games, he has combined for six catches and 83 yards.
The Ravens continue to split the tight end workload between Likely, Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar, and Andrews seems to be improving week to week after a slow start to the season. As such, Likely can be safely released; he’s more of a boom-or-bust DFS option than a legitimate starter in fantasy football leagues.