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 6:
Roster Rate references data collected from myfantasyleague.com leagues.
Shallow Formats
15-18 roster spots
RB MarShawn Lloyd, Packers
Why: The reign of viability for MarShawn Lloyd is officially over. Josh Jacobs is slated to return in Week 7. Even if Jacobs were not returning, Pierre Strong Jr. played over Lloyd in Week 6. Outside of Lloyd's two-touchdown performance in Week 5 (just 37 total yards), Lloyd did not eclipse 10 PPR points in any game this season. Green Bay's offensive line and run game are finally rising, but at a point to benefit Josh Jacobs (and Strong) more than Lloyd.
RB Woody Marks, Texans
Why: Houston has been a poor resource for running back production this season. David Montgomery's exit did little to fuel Woody Marks in Week 6 as a clarified and fantasy-viable option. Jawhar Jordan stole the show with splash plays from the backfield. The addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaylin Noel flashed, boosting the passing game around C.J. Stroud. Houston has not had even an average HLO (high-leverage opportunity) score for the backfield in a solid month, when focusing on goal-line carries and running back targets. Outside of Montgomery's three-touchdown Week 1 performance, the best fantasy output for any Texans running back is Woody Mark's 13.5 PPR points in Week 5. Yet, Woody Marks is rostered in more leagues than RJ Harvey, Ollie Gordon II, and Josh Jacobs of note.
RB Kendre Miller, Saints
Why: Miller is RB53 in Roster Rate, which may sound like a bargain considering his RB1 rushing role for the Saints. However, Miller gets all of the empty-calorie carries outside of the goal line and minimal receiving work. Miller has six receptions in five games and has a high-water mark of 11 PPR points. Travis Etienne Jr.'s return looms to render Miller irrelevant, and Alvin Kamara is the better PPR play until then. Ray Davis, Jordan Mason, and Roschon Johnson are better stashes rostered in fewer leagues than Miller.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars
Why: WR49 in Roster Rate, Thomas is hanging on with name cache alone. He is losing routes by the week and has been invisible in the Jaguars passing game since Week 2. Over the past month, Thomas' average stat line is 0.75 receptions for SIX yards on two targets per game. Entering a bye week, there is no reason to keep Thomas rostered outside of dynasty formats.