The Cut List (Week 3) - Time to Let Go?

What a brutal week. If your team somehow managed to finish unscathed, lucky you.

For those that were impacted, roster decisions will need to be made to make room for players you hope you can plug in and make a positive impact moving forward.

Here are this week’s players you can safely drop, and those that you may not necessarily be starting, but that are still worth holding onto (for the time being):

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Droppable Players

Rob Gronkowski (TE, TB)

Normally I’d wait a bit longer to decide on how to handle a big-name player like Rob Gronkowski, but what we’ve seen through two weeks is forcing my hand. While Tom Brady also doesn’t resemble the same player he was while in New England, he played better against the Carolina Panthers. The same can’t be said for Gronkowski.

As you know, Gronk was out of the league last year after “retiring” at the end of the 2018 season. Brady making his way down to sunny Tampa Bay was enough for another go-around for Gronk…but it hasn’t been pleasant thus far. The only reason to hold on to Gronk, is if you have space at the end of your bench, and you believe that Brady will eventually force-feed his friend (out of pity?). Gronk is undoubtedly a Hall of Famer, but it’s obvious he is no longer the player who he once was.

Chris Thompson (RB, JAX)

Chris Thompson is seeing some work in the passing game, but nowhere near what you’d like to see for a player to be deemed worthy of rostering. The running game is going through rookie undrafted free agent, and pride of Illinois State, James Robinson, and even do-all rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. is getting in on the running game. Thompson isn’t worth a hold.

Josh Reynolds (WR, LAR)

Josh Reynolds was supposed to take a hold of the number three WR position when the season started, and while he technically maybe it, he is playing only a handful more snaps than rookie WR Van Jefferson. As the season progresses, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jefferson leapfrog Reynolds to be the number three wideout. Even if that doesn’t materialize, Josh Reynolds is behind Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Tyler Higbee for targets. There are better options.

Kirk Cousins (QB, MIN)

The Minnesota Vikings are off to a rough start, and Kirk Cousins is a big reason for that. Through two weeks, Cousins has played poorly…there is no other way to put it. The Vikings offense revolves around the running game, so there isn’t much appeal to Cousins as a fantasy starter to begin with, so for him to offer any glimpse of inspiration, he needs to do the opposite of what he has done through the first two games. Cousins will need to string together a series of very good performances to be worthy of starting for your team.

Christian Kirk (WR, ARI)

We’ve seen what Christian Kirk can do, the problem is there is a new top wideout in town. A top wideout that so happens to be a top-three receiver in the league. Judging by the peppering of targets, it’s obvious Kyler Murray is appreciative of having a player of DeAndre Hopkins caliber to throw to. Don’t expect that to change…why would it? Larry Fitzgerald is still there and somehow continuing to be serviceable, and as for the speed game, the Arizona Cardinals have a bevy of exciting young options. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Kirk have good games every now and then, but if you are looking for consistency, it will be hard to come by when there are other mouths to feed. I wouldn’t be opposed to holding onto Kirk a little longer, but if you need the roster spot, you can feel free to let him go.

Hold For Now

Carlos Hyde (RB, SEA)

Carlos Hyde (surprisingly) had a good year last year with the Houston Texans where he ran for 1,070 yards. Houston decided to not retain him, however, so now he is in Seattle backing up bell-cow Chris Carson. Given Pete Carroll’s affinity for Carson, and in general, Carson being the superior player, Hyde doesn’t offer stand-alone value, but he is a player you should continue to hold on to (if you are able) should anything happen to Chris Carson. Carson has gotten hurt in the past, and Hyde is still a serviceable player. Plus, you definitely want a piece of any relevant player on this potent Seattle Seahawk offense.

Nyheim Hines (RB, IND)

If you started Nyheim Hines in your FLEX spot after last week’s usage, I wouldn’t blame you. I also feel for you. That said, I wouldn’t panic. There is no secret about who the starting running back for the Indianapolis Colts is (Jonathan Taylor), but you aren’t rostering Hines because he is a set-it-and-forget-it player. The key is to pay attention to the matchups.

Hines is very much game script dependent, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t hold value. In a game where the Colts are heavily favored, you can expect a heavy dose of the run game – which is why we saw Jordan Wilkins get some run - and not much need for Hine’s receiving chops. In competitive games, Hines’ skillset will definitely be one that Philip Rivers will like to utilize – we’ve seen this before with Austin Ekeler. So, especially in PPR leagues, there will be games where you’ll want to plug in Nyheim Hines, just don’t expect to be able to use him on a weekly basis.

Anthony Miller (WR, CHI)

After an impressive opening game to start the season, Anthony Miller proceeded to produce a goose egg in Week 2. Mitchell Trubisky, not knowing to be an accurate passer, managed to place a perfectly thrown ball in Miller’s breadbasket, but he couldn’t come down with it. It wasn’t just a drop though, it was a dropped touchdown, which is why some have begun to question whether it is necessary to drop Miller. My response is no.

Miller is still the number two option in Chicago’s offense, and the Bears are currently one of only a few teams to still be undefeated after two weeks. In order for this to maintain, the Bears will need to be able to rely on Miller. This is especially true because although the Bears may have two wins, they were both closely contested games. They aren’t blowing anyone out of the water. Miller may have games where he isn’t as effective, but he knows the Bears will need much more from him if the goal is to make the playoffs. Anthony Miller is talented; he’ll bounce back.

Eric Ebron (TE, PIT)

The concern with Eric Ebron is understandable. He isn’t a player I feel strongly about one way or another, so if you wish to part with him, you won’t see me lose any sleep. The problem with Ebron is that he isn’t getting many looks to this point. Ben Roethlisberger has a surprisingly strong cast of pass catchers with him, so to this point there hasn’t been much need or Ebron’s services. To that point, there may be a time where that changes. He is a big-bodied option, that can be appealing in the red zone.

Ebron is not a top tight end in the league, but he’s played better since his days with the Detroit Lions. He is also atop the tight end depth chart with Pittsburgh, so he also has that going for him. If you keep Ebron, it's as a hold on your bench in hope things change. If you have better options though, don’t worry about dropping him.

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