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 5:
*Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues*
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland
Why: In addition to Cleveland's offensive line struggling and the passing game not providing balance, Ford has not had more than 10 carries in a game since Week 1. Add D'Onta Foreman's rise to an even split of carries with Ford in Week 5 and Pierre Strong Jr's return to siphon a few routes. Plus, Nick Chubb's return is looming within a few weeks, making Ford a risky start and an even riskier hold by the end of the month. Ford is RB26 in Roster Rate.
WR Demarcus Robinson, LA Rams
Why: WR68 in Roster Rate, Robinson has been lapped by Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington in efficiency and earning targets on a per-route basis. The window is closing on a Rams' passing game with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, both out with injury, making Robinson an easy cut when at least one of them returns. However, Robinson has scored 20 points over the past three games and has waned in streaming appeal since Atwell and Whittington's rise. Entering a Week 6 bye makes cutting Robinson an easy decision to make a clean break before burning a valuable week on a fantasy bench.
Medium Depth
*18-22 roster spots*
QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland
Why: Watson is one of the hot-seat quarterbacks after failing to throw for even 200 yards for a fifth straight game to open the season. Watson's five passing touchdowns are only offset slightly by averaging more than 25 rushing yards per game and finding the end zone once on the ground. Watson has struggled even with choice matchups like the Jacksonville and Washington defenses, the weeks most likely for Watson to find fantasy lineups.
RB Cam Akers, Houston
Why: Akers has eroded from being the clear starter with Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce out earlier in the season to now, post-Week 5, being the clear backup to Dare Ogunbowale even if Mixon are Pierce remain out in Week 6. Akers' receiving upside has been completely sapped by Ogunbowale and Akers is a touchdown-or-bust proposition for even a decent fantasy outcome. Also, at least one of Mixon or Pierce were projected back in Week 5, making Week 6 even more likely the depth chart will return close to full strength in the immediate future.
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