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 14:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues.
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
QB Will Levis, Tennessee
Why: The glorious matchup against Jacksonville (at home, mind you) resulted in Levis totaling 171 yards, no touchdowns, and six points for Tennessee's offense. The ideal circumstances still produced a dud outcome for Levis and Co. With the elevated playoff matchups for the next three weeks, no matchup can make a fantasy lineup comfortable with Levis in there, including the Jaguars again in Week 17 and the Bengals in Week 15.
RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland
Why: Fantasy playoff lineups are about trust. Do you trust the player, the situation, and the process of setting your lineups? Nick Chubb has lost his grip on the starting job in Cleveland as the Browns are constantly in a negative game script. Chubb has five receptions over seven games, and Jerome Ford is the primary receiving option. Chubb's lone game of import was infused with two rushing scores. Also, Chubb has yet to regain his after-contact or big-play upside. Chubb should be nowhere near lineups in the win-or-go-home playoffs.
RB Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas
Why: Alexander Mattison missing multiple games has resulted in the rise of Sincere McCormick, and Mattison is likely returning to a secondary role. The Raiders are in "assess for the future" mode of the season, and McCormick offers more for 2025 and beyond than Mattison in a best case. Mattison at RB39 in Roster Rate is overpriced in both redraft and dynasty for an older backup who has played his way out of two starting opportunities in two seasons.