In the final installment of Cutting the Cord this season, a broad dynasty-focused list of drop players (with pickup pivots) will be discussed with more of a dynasty focus. In redraft leagues, championship week is about optimizing the starting lineup and (potentially) playing keep-away from your opponent if there is a glaring waiver wire option or weak spot in their lineup.
Dynasty Leagues: Not Those, Try These
Quarterbacks to Move Off Of
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami: Tagovailoa has floundered this season with 20 touchdowns and 16 turnovers, devolving from the starter to now emergency QB3 for the final weeks. His contract is an albatross for Miami, which would have to eat a record-setting amount of dead cap even if a post-June 1 designation by trade or release in 2026.
Instead
Try Mac Jones
The 49ers were savvy to sign Mac Jones to a low-cost multi-year contract in 2025 as their QB2, and they still retain control in 2026. Jones is an attractive trade chip if the 49ers see promise with Kurtis Rourke (2025 rookie) as the new backup to Brock Purdy. Jones has also shown quality upside if filling in for Purdy for the lead role.
Running Backs to Move Off Of
Michael Carter, Arizona: Up to RB51 in Roster Rate with the myriad of injuries on the Cardinals' depth chart this season. If out of the playoffs, Carter is an easy cut as an older, and limited, veteran slated to be a free agent in a loaded class.
Bam Knight, Arizona: Another in-season value as a streaming candidate due to attrition in Arizona, Knight has an impossible climb to avoid being cut in the spring-summer by rookie draft time at the latest.
Jeremy McNichols, Washington: McNichols was also an in-season play exclusively due to Austin Ekeler's injury and other twists and turns for Washington's depth chart. McNichols is an RB3/4 on an NFL depth chart at best for Week 1.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver: Injuries broke right for McLaughlin to be a dynasty pickup in recent weeks. R.J. Harvey sustained the lead role, however, and McLaughlin is more likely out of the NFL than challenging for an RB2 role next August.
Raheem Mostert, Las Vegas: He is 33 years old and had an ideal run as the RB2 this season. However, Mostert never received a clarified start due to Ashton Jeanty's run of health, and Mostert is unlikely to find a similar circumstance as the NFL running back landscape recalibrates in the offseason.
Instead
Try Dameon Pierce, Raheim Sanders, Kenny McIntosh
Dameon Pierce did not get an opportunity to move up the Chiefs' depth chart after being released by Houston, but he is a former NFL starter with an offseason to attach elsewhere. Raheim Sanders is seeing an expanded opportunity for touches in the closing weeks with Quinshon Judkins' injury in Cleveland, and Dylan Sampson is still working back from an injury himself. With Ken Walker III as an upcoming free agent, Kenny McIntosh was the clear RB3 before his injury, with a shot to be the in-house RB2 next season.