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 D'Andre Swift, Chicago
Why: The Bears' backfield is a full-blown committee, and the schedule turns sour. Chicago has generally been a fair-weather offense this season, but Philadelphia, Green Bay twice, and Cleveland represent the next month on the schedule. Swift in a committee plus the schedule makes for a possible bench projection in shallower formats and a trade candidate before deadlines if still an option.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay
Why: Sean Tucker is the preferred rushing option, and Bucky Irving is close to returning from injury. Baker Mayfield's Week 12 injury clouds the short-term with the potential for Teddy Bridgewater under center, which stifles the entire offensive outlook. This is the ideal time to exit from Rachaad White as the ceiling of the spot starts and clarity is over.
WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay
Why: Jayden Reed is nearing his projected return, and Christian Watson has been a significant addition to Green Bay's wide receiver rotation in recent weeks. Doubs has been WR48 in PPG since Green Bay's Week 5 bye (and his three-touchdown performance in Week 4) despite quality volume.
