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 4:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues.
Shallow Formats
*15-18 roster spots*
RB Omarion Hampton, Chargers
Why: The three-way split in the Chargers' backfield crested to a new frustrating level in Week 4. While Hampton has been a touchdown-centric fantasy option this season, the backfield was carved up with one snap of margin between Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal in yet another loss. Of the surprisingly poor-starting NFL teams, the Chargers are the most rudderless with their offensive line woes (and now injuries), lack of quality play from their pass catchers, and a backfield split rivaling the most frustrating in fantasy dating back through last season. Hampton is the ideal target candidate to sell for lower than August prices but still exit on name cache alone.
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders
Why: RB28 in Roster Rate for a de facto RB1 sounds like a palatable standing in the fantasy space. However, Croskey-Merritt continues to be a placeholder and not trusted for more receiving work or an elite rushing share. Rachaad White's absence merely fueled Austin Ekeler's rise as the receiving back. Croskey-Merritt has been an empty-calorie running back through the opening month, not seeing quality goal-line or receiving work. All of this on a struggling Washington offense with Jayden Daniels set to return and play with a significant brace on his left arm, plus Marcus Mariota out for a few weeks. Washington is also No.27 in HLO (high-leverage opportunity score) through the opening month to temper the enthusiasm about any of the running backs.
RB J.K. Dobbins, Broncos
Why: Dobbins, like Jacory Croskey-Merritt, is a starting running back in title, but a limited fantasy option. Dobbins is averaging 11.5 carries per game but only a single target. RJ Harvey dominates the passing game out of Denver's backfield, and Dobbins is touchdown-or-bust for even a passable fantasy outcome. Through four weeks, Dobbins is yet to find the end zone. Dobbins is in the top 30 for Roster Rate at the position, but is a road to fantasy nowhere this season.