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 3:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues.
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
RB MarShawn Lloyd, Packers
Why: The Packers backfield has shown over three games that it's not a place to chase fantasy stability or upside this season. The three-headed committee is still roaring at full volume, and the offensive line has derailed any chance for even the starter to emerge as fantasy lineup viable. Chris Brooks is the leading option in the passing game (trusted pass protector of the group), and Kaleb Johnson is the rising option over the past two games, with Lloyd's market share seeing the most downward adjustment. Lloyd is still RB37 in Roster Rate, which warrants plummeting this week behind a myriad of interesting backup options in shallow formats.
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars
Why: Rodriguez's 9% of team routes in Week 3 is an important data point towards his lack of upside. He already lost the RB1 battle to Bhayshul Tuten. Rodriguez will lose most of the receiving work to LeQuint Allen Jr. and Ameer Abdullah should Tuten miss time. Chase elite backup running back situations only in shallower formats, and Rodriguez is the exact opposite.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
Why: Three weeks in and Thomas has made zero progress up the Jacksonville pecking order. Parker Washington has clearly been the WR1 on the depth chart, and Jakobi Meyers popped up to prominence in Week 3. Thomas is running a mere 17 routes per game and is essentially a clear-out option in the progression.