RADIO
By this time, you’ve made your waiver wire claims for week 2. Hopefully, you got your guy. But, if you’re still deciding on players to keep and get rid of for next week and moving forward, then you’ve come to the right place.
The obvious cuts are players that are lost for the year due to a season-ending injury. But there are always those that you have to decide if they are worth taking up a precious spot in your roster ahead of Week 2.
Let’s take a look at some of those candidates as well as who might be worth holding onto a little longer.
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Droppable Players
Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions
Kerryon Johnson is a good football player. Last year was not his best, but he only played a partial season due to lost time from an injury. During his rookie season, though, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry. During that time, he looked like the next stud running back. Fast forward to wacky 2020, and he is looking like the odd man out in a crowded running backs room.
Future first-ballot Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson is back home in the NFC North and he sure seems comfortable. With very limited practice time with his new team, AP proceeded to carry the ball 14 times for 93 yards; good for an average of 6.6 yards. Despite D’Andre Swift’s huge drop that could have won the game for the Detroit Lions (whew! – I’m a Bears fan if you didn’t know), he figures to be involved more moving forward. Perhaps it was last year’s injury that put a bad taste in Detroit’s mouth, but Swift is the future at running back for the franchise and Johnson is in the rear-view mirror.
Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos
If it weren’t for the turf toe injury Lindsay suffered in Monday night’s game, he wouldn’t be on this list. But alas, it’s what happened. Lindsay is a fine player, and on paper he could be a really nice compliment to Melvin Gordon – lightning to his thunder, if you will. But the reality is, there are reports that he will be out for the foreseeable future, and roster spots are a commodity in fantasy football. If you need the space, feel free to drop him.
Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers
Tevin Coleman suited up against the Arizona Cardinals, despite concerns over the air quality caused by the devastating fires in California (Coleman is at higher risk for complications due to his sickle cell disease). Perhaps his usage (five touches) is reflective of the team trying to be careful with the player, but I don’t believe that is the case. Raheem Mostert is clearly at the top of the depth chart for the 49ers, and a now-healthy Jerick McKinnon looks like a good bet to spell Mostert. Even if it were a true RBBC, he’d have to contend with two quality players (perhaps even three if you throw in Jeff Wilson) for fantasy relevancy. I just don’t see it. At this point, we know who Tevin Coleman is. He was supposed to break out coming to San Francisco, but it just isn’t happening.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
Another situation where a player happens to be low in the pecking order. When Todd Gurley left for Atlanta, it was anybody’s guess as to who would be the lead guy for the Rams. Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson are both exciting young players, but they are both currently playing behind Malcolm Brown. For the time being, Akers is the number two option, leaving Henderson a distant third. No one will mistake Brown for a stud running back, so things can and may change moving forward, but Henderson is not worth rostering as things stand at the moment.
Jordan Howard, Miami Dolphins
If you don’t have better options, keep him (I guess), but otherwise, look elsewhere. The argument to hold onto Jordan Howard is that it’s only been one week – and also, that Miami’s running back depth chart is one of the worst in the league. But man, Howard’s usage and play was uninspiring. Couple that with the quality of the Dolphin’s offensive line, his style of play/being touchdown dependent, and the tough defenses they will be facing in the coming weeks, there isn’t a lot to like. If you do hold on to him (and start him – yikes), the hope is that he falls into the end zone.
Hold For Now
Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons
If you read my first column with RotoBaller, you know that I was not buying the hype on Hayden Hurst. What I should have done is included him in the section above as an “I told you so”. Kidding. While Hurst didn’t have the debut many people thought he would, he is still the top tight end in Atlanta. As I mentioned before, by that virtue, he should see chances to produce. What could turn into a concern is the receiving hierarchy, however. While Hurst had a quiet game, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, each exploded out of the scene to make a statement in game one (nine catches apiece). It’s a situation to monitor moving forward, but for now, you don’t want to give up on him too soon.
Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns
In comes Hurst, out goes Hooper. Unlike Hurst, Hooper had competition in the tight end group from the start. This was David Njoku’s team – although, not really – and Hooper came to mess things up. If you were worried about his usage, though, worry no more. David Njoku was placed on injured reserve following the knee injury he sustained in the season opening game. At this point, it is uncertain how severe Njoku’s injury is, but he will be out for at least three weeks. This should provide ample opportunities for Baker Mayfield and Hooper to connect. If after this time frame Hooper’s usage/production looks the same, get rid of him.
Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
One catch for six yards would have just about anyone questioning whether it’s worth rostering a player. For a journeyman wide receiver, it’d be justifiable (and recommended) to drop him. For a talented, second-year receiver with 4.33 wheels, you don’t overreact. Mecole is the latter – obviously. Hardman plays on arguably the most explosive offense in the league. There will be weeks where duds happen, but it shouldn’t be the norm. And Reid is too good a coach to not find him ways to get him the ball. It will happen, be patient.
Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins
This one is a tough call. Breida’s teammate and fellow running back is in the not-desired portion of the article, but Breida lands here. Despite Myles Gaskin’s involvement, and Breida’s usage in the first week, I still believe in Matt Breida the talent. Breida is not a three-down back, and won’t be used as one, but we cannot forget his 2018 season where he rushed for 814 yards, and also caught 27 passes for 261 yards. For his career, he is the owner of five average yards per carry.
The talent is there. The problem in Breida’s case is the lack of talent surrounding him and his propensity for injury. The good news is that he is not hurt (knock on wood), and the Dolphins will undoubtedly be looking at a deficit in most games, so he should get opportunities in the passing game as well. Also, we may be close to #TuaTime, which should help elevate the game of a player like Breida.
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