Dead Weight Report: Week 2 Fantasy Football Drop List

Sep 09, 2025

Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

We all had players who underperformed in Week 1, regardless of whether they were in our starting lineups or safely on the bench. Should you keep them for another week or cut them loose now?

After a season off, I’m back with this weekly article, where I’ll sort through the weak and meager performances to see who’s droppable in favor of some waiver wire magic. There are many variables in determining a player’s remaining worth, including their own production, offense, and health, just to name a few. All will be taken into consideration when determining each week’s dead weight.

Editor's Note: Check out the Week 2 Waiver Wire Watch

You won’t find any monster names on here yet since one week is just not enough time to bail on a high draft pick, but there will be bigger names in the coming weeks.

Jerome Ford, RB - Browns

The Cleveland backfield was as cloudy as it gets for most of this summer, and then they listed Jerome Ford as the starter for Week 1, getting his drafters lathered up for some production against a soft Bengals defense. It turns out that was a facade as rookie Dylan Sampson out-touched Ford 20-7, which included eight targets to Ford’s one.

Not having Ford involved in the passing game is the killer here, considering Quinshon Judkins’ return could all but eliminate Ford’s role if there’s no receiving work. At least we appear to have answers early, so you can let Ford go instead of the mental gymnastics of dealing with that RB room each week.

Kaleb Johnson RB - Steelers

While we do only have a one-week sample to work with here, it’s not looking so hot for Kaleb Johnson in fantasy land or real-life NFL if we’re being honest. The rookie had one carry for -2 yards that came late in the third quarter, while Jaylen Warren saw 13 touches and Kenneth Gainwell had 10.

The Steelers may be bringing Johnson along slowly due to his inconsistent offseason, but as fantasy managers, we can't have players sitting on our rosters if they’re getting so little volume. If you have the room and want to hang on, go for it, but Johnson’s 89% Yahoo rostership is looking too high for Arthur Smith’s plans.

Jack Bech, WR - Raiders

The No. 58 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft saw one target in Sunday’s win over New England. The good news is Jack Bech caught his one ball, but the bad news is his usage is not enough to keep him on the fantasy radar at this point in the season.

Bech was on the field for a mere 6% of the Raiders’ 63 snaps, and his one target was tied for seventh on the offense. The writing was on the wall after camps and preseason, as Bech was working as the backup slot guy behind Jakobi Meyers and after fellow rookie Dont’e Thornton on outside sets, but folks still drafted him based on NFL draft capital. Bech could come on later as he acclimates to the league, but for now, he’s droppable for someone with a higher floor.

Jaydon Blue, RB - Cowboys

It was a rough, healthy scratch for Jaydon Blue to kick off his NFL career, but he was not listed on the injury report, and the rookie was deemed inactive against the Eagles. Blue dealt with a few health issues this summer, like a high-ankle sprain and a bruised heel, so perhaps he’s still recovering, but for now, it appears the Cowboys RB room begins with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, who combined for 114 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against a stout Philly defense.

Similar to the rookies above him in this column, he could come on later, so feel free to keep Blue if you believe in his talent, but if he’s at the end of your bench and you want a higher floor, he’s likely droppable.

Chris Rodriguez, RB - Commanders

This one is rough, as many of us got duped by coach speak and invested in Chris Rodriguez, thinking he’d have a significant role as possibly the early-down back or at least a favorite for goal-line carries. Instead, he was not active for Week 1, and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the RB room in attempts with 10, which he turned into 82 yards and a score, with Austin Ekeler garnering nine touches, which translated to 59 combined yards.

You hate to see it, but the die appears to be cast for Rodriguez in Washington, so send him to the waiver wire for someone like Trey Benson or Dylan Sampson.