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 7:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues
Midseason Trading Recommendations Edition
In redraft leagues, it is time to shake things up if 2-5 (or worse) or even 3-4 in some situations. The season is not over, but the next couple of weeks are critical for a remote chance to get hot and shake up the playoff race. In dynasty leagues, the same applies if sitting near the middle (or slightly below) in the league standings. If folding up shop, fine, target select injured players, picks, or proven profiles having an off year. But if 2-5 or 3-4 and continuing to push for the playoffs, a select trade or two can be exactly what is needed.
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta
Pivot: Joe Flacco, Cincinnati
Why: The underlying metrics on Penix point to a flimsy fantasy asset. Without rushing upside, Penix needs to be elite (or much closer than he is) as a passer. Penix is now dealing with a bone bruise in addition to being QB30 in PPG on the season. Miami in Week 8 is the best matchup left for Penix in the fantasy season, and he might miss the game (or be limited) due to injury. On the flip side, target Joe Flacco, who has been a top 10 fantasy quarterback over the two games since joining Cincinnati. As a reminder, the first game he showed up mid-week and barely knew any of the plays. Flacco's situation is ideal for fantasy and has one of the best remaining fantasy schedules, including Baltimore and Miami in the first two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans
Pivot: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh
Why: Kamara looks to have lost some of his luster in addition to the Saints being one of the most disappointing teams through the first seven weeks in HLO (High-Leverage Opportunity) Score fo the running back position (goal line carries and targets weighted together in expected fantasy points). Kamara's teams have commonly been in the top five of annual HLO but are in the bottom five in 2025. The remaining schedule is also one of the worst among running backs for Kamara and the Saints. Instead, flip over to Jaylen Warren, even if paying Kamara+ in the trade market. The Steelers are an elite HLO backfield, and the schedule is one of the best for running backs, especially starting in Week 11. Pittsburgh also has Miami in the first week of the fantasy postseason (Week 15) to kick-start title runs.
WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City
Pivot: Tee Higgins, Cincinnati
Why: Xavier Worthy has multiple risk factors. First, Rashee Rice's return to the WR1 perch in Kansas City leaves all other pass catchers fighting for scraps on a weekly basis. Worthy's usage is far more volatile with a lower floor. Second, Worthy is playing with a shoulder injury that was aggravated multiple times in Week 7, and he will have an elevated risk for a partial game or being out for the season in all remaining games. Instead, pivot to Tee Higgins. The Bengals have a fantasy funnel through Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase and recently received an upgrade at quarterback in Joe Flacco to facilitate fantasy production. The schedule is also rosy beyond Week 8. There are no avoid wide receiver matchups remaining. Higgins, as a top 12 fantasy receiver, would not be a surprise over the rest of the season.
TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Pivot: Oronde Gadsden, LA Chargers
Why: As outlined in the Xavier Worthy section, the competition for targets increased tremendously in Kansas City with the return of Rashee Rice to the lineup. Gadsden will still have a bit of "he is new and unheralded so he is undervalued" by the market with his recent ramp-up. However, Gadsden's underlying per-route utilization and production, plus running more than 70% of routes in back-to-back weeks, are a strong indicator that he will be involved going forward. There are minimal fluke vibes with Gadsden being a quality producer over the rest of the season. Minnesota in Week 8 and Pittsburgh in Week 10 are target tight end matchups, so the timeliness of buying high on Gadsden this week with an aggressive offer is warranted.