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 2:
*Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues*
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota
Why: The injury sustained in Week 2 plays a role here as J.J. McCarthy has struggled in seven of eight quarters this season. Missing the next two to four weeks (a bye week is the fourth week) makes McCarthy tough to wait for as the bye weeks in the NFL approach. The schedule is rough starting in Week 7 as well, with the Eagles, Chargers, Lions, and Ravens the four opponents. McCarthy was a lower-end streaming option. Considering the schedule and games missed, he is a cut player this week in standard redraft leagues.
RB Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota
Why: A repeat from last week, but warranted, with Jones sustaining a hamstring injury and Jordan Mason as the primary option in Minnesota's backfield. Jones was a flex at best before the injury, and missing Week 3 eliminates the best running back matchup (Cincinnati) currently until the fantasy playoffs for Vikings running backs.
WR Stefon Diggs, New England
Why: Diggs is WR38 in Roster Rate, a high perch for a cut candidate. Diggs' role for New England has been as the uninspiring-for-fantasy short-range chain-mover. Diggs has just a 7.6 average depth of target, lower than Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte among New England wide receivers. The slow and managed start could be a result of still working back from his significant 2024 injury, but Diggs is running out of time for slow-starting fantasy teams needing upside and wins over the next month. Matthew Golden and Kayshon Boutte have lower Roster Rates as trade options.
TE Evan Engram, Denver
Why: The beginning of the season could not have gone worse for Evan Engram. A poor 4-33-0 stat line over two games on just six targets, and Engram played behind Adam Trautman in Week 2. Denver's wide receivers have stepped up, with Troy Franklin posting a breakout game in Week 2. Engram is TE12 in Roster Rate but needs to elevate his route share and involvement in the offense before having any lineup confidence. Pivot to Chig Okonkwo or Ja'Tavion Sanders instead if needing a lineup option this week.