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 12:
*Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues*
SHALLOW FORMATS
*15-18 roster spots*
RB Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
Why: RB35 in Roster Rate. Pierce returned from a three-game injury absence to a secondary role as Devin Singletary was the clear lead back against Jacksonville. Pierce was already stuck in a committee before the injury and rarely used in the passing game, but now Pierce has devolved to needing an injury to be a possible fantasy lineup consideration. Pierce was barely used in the passing game yet again this week.
RB Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
Why: RB54 in Roster Rate. McLaughlin faded to the distant RB3 role in Week 12 as Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine collected 80% of the routes and 93% of the running back carries. McLaughlin does not even project as lineup viable if Williams were to miss time as Perine would dominate the receiving work.
RB Leonard Fournette, Buffalo Bills
Why: RB60 in Roster Rate. Still not active, Buffalo continues to see health and production from James Cook, Latavius Murray, and now Ty Johnson. Fournette would need two of those running backs to miss time for potential fantasy interest. Fournette is running out of time to be viable for the fantasy season, and Buffalo is trending towards not needing any playoff infusion of Fournette, considering their 6-6 record.
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Why: WR60 in Roster Rate. Johnston has continued to frustrate fantasy teams even since Mike Williams has exited with a season-ending injury. Johnston has a high-water mark of 50 yards in a game, found the end zone once this season, and is averaging 9.0 yards per catch. All this while paired with Justin Herbert and vaulting up in snaps and routes in recent weeks.