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 1:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues.
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
RB Rico Dowdle, Steelers
Why: A concerning split with Jaylen Warren - despite the positive game script - and Dowdle struggled where Warren performed well. In shallow formats, a committee is tough to roster with minimal lineup upside unless the other committee member gets injured.
RB Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers
Why: Even with catch-up mode against the Bengals and no Sean Tucker, Gainwell posted 38% of rushes and 36% of routes for Tampa Bay. Gainwell's role in Pittsburgh didn't translate to the Buccaneers, and Bucky Irving looked vibrant as the RB1. At RB34 in Roster Rate, Gainwell is presumed to be, at a minimum, one of the elite injury-away options - with some stand-alone value - in the NFL.
TE Harold Fannin Jr., Browns
Why: Tight end is all about upside, and Fannin's outlook took a hit in Week 1. The rookie wide receiver pairing of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston were viable in their NFL debut game - both fantasy relevant. This on a struggling Cleveland passing game with a likely outcome of dying on the vine this season regardless of how many quarterbacks get a shot under center. Fannin was a checkdown merchant last year, and the passing pie is now more challenged with Concepcion and Boston.