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 13:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
RB Alvin Kamara
Why: While not on injured reserve, Alvin Kamara missed Week 13 and has been a general disappointment this season. Missing games allows for a fantasy team to pivot to another lineup option, but awards for the biggest fantasy anchors dragging down results offer Kamara as a candidate this year. Kamara's start rate continues to be high during his extended stretch of futility. Kamara did not surpass 16 PPR points in a game and is currently RB36 in PPG on the season.
A single touchdown on 164 touches does not help matters. The Saints have been perplexing in their lack of use for Kamara near the goal line and in the passing game. New Orleans is 18th in running back targets per game, which is a crime considering Kamara's acumen and long history of receiving utility in his career. This was after the Saints were No.3 and No.1 in the previous two seasons in terms of targets per game for the position. Even if Kamara returns for the fantasy playoffs, he offers minimal upside to elevate a team through to the next round or to a championship.
WR Marvin Mims Jr., Denver
Why: Rostered in more than half of fantasy leagues, Mims is the firm WR4 in Denver's rotation and barely ran 40% of the team routes in Week 13. Mims' manufactured touches are drying up, and Pat Bryant's rise has slammed the door on Mims' previous opportunities for quality games.
