Dead Weight Report: Week 14 Droppables
It’s exterminate-time for your fantasy rosters, as we’re all systems go for the postseason. Our squads need to be trimmed of all the fat and what-ifs so that they are streamlined for success.
Below is a look at some players who can be dropped and sent packing as we head down the stretch of both the NFL and fantasy seasons.
Sammy Watkins, WR – Chiefs
I’m personally not a believer in Watkins and called this even after his Week 1 crazy performance, but 76% of you folks are still hanging onto something. I get that his quarterback is Patrick Mahomes, but that just can’t be enough anymore, especially in the fantasy postseason. Watkins has not hit double-digit PPR points since Week 1 and wasn’t even targeted in the second half last week.
Not only does he face fierce competition on his own offense, but he faces a murderer’s row of opponents to end the season. KC gets New England this week, followed by Denver, Chicago and then the Chargers, who rank third, 12th, fifth and seventh in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed (aFPA) to WRs, respectively.
David Johnson, RB – Cardinals
It’s like ripping off a band-aid. Just hit that drop button quickly and don’t look back. I know it may be emotionally scarring, but Johnson is not going to all of a sudden be the workhorse you thought he was during draft time. He had a handful of good games to start out the season but has been a brutal burden for fantasy managers since Week 5.
He’s lost the starting role to Kenyan Drake and has some tough sledding ahead to finish out the 2019 season. Two of Johnson’s next three matchups are against teams in single-digit aFPA, with Cleveland just outside as the 11th ranked defense against the run.
Josh Gordon, WR – Seahawks
You’ve held onto Gordon through his transition from a Patriot to a Seahawk, all while he’s battled injuries along the way. So I get that letting go is hard, but now is not the time to keep players with great talent who just don’t produce enough. Gordon has seen five balls since joining Seattle, catching four of them for 47 yards and zero touchdowns.
If it were anyone else, you’d have cut him a few weeks ago, but one third-down slant per tilt will not win you a championship. Let him go in favor of a wideout more involved in his offense like Cole Beasley or A.J. Brown.
Jay Ajayi, RB – Eagles
It’s over already, folks. The two-game season for Ajayi was brutal for those who picked him up and it’s not going to get any better for the 26-year-old back. I know last week’s revenge game had some hope surrounding it, but Ajayi rushed the ball twice for nine whole yards. He’s posted 2.5 total PPR points in his return to the league, and that was with one of his fellow backs currently sidelined.
There are certainly better options out there on your waiver wire than Ajayi, so go grab yourself Raheem Mostert or Darwin Thompson.
Jimmy Graham, TE – Packers
He’s made this list already this season, but 48% of fantasy managers still have Graham parked on their rosters. I do understand how gross tight end is this year, but the 33-year-old Graham is way too touchdown-dependent to be a weekly starting option. Plus, the emergence of Allen Lazard has put a legit dent in whatever volume Graham had each week.
It’s win-or-go-home time and you want a tight end in there with a decent floor. At this point in the season, you’re looking at someone like Mike Gesicki, Ryan Griffin or even Ian Thomas if Greg Olsen is still concussed.
