RADIO
Easy Cut: C.J. Stroud- QB, Houston Texans
Since Week 5, Stroud has scored more than 15 points three times. Over his last eight games, he’s averaging 11.4 PPG. Some of that occurred with Nico Collins on IR, so let’s be fair. However, since Collins returned to the lineup, Stroud is averaging 13.1 PPG. Slightly better but incredibly far away from being a dependable starter.
He’s got a fantastic Week 17 matchup against Baltimore, but there’s no trusting Stroud anymore this season. He scored just 14.38 points in Week 13 against the lowly Jaguars. That contest will likely be a low-scoring affair if Patrick Mahomes misses their Week 16 game.
Easy Cut: Russell Wilson- QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Since returning to the lineup, Wilson has scored 128.18 points in eight games. He scored 51.72 (40.3%) in two of those games. In his six other games, he’s averaged 12.7 PPG and has scored under 14 points four times.
He has a great matchup in Week 16 against Baltimore on paper, but back in Week 11, the Ravens held him to just 6.3 points. It’s unknown if George Pickens will be back for this contest, but Wilson has struggled without him, averaging just 143 yards per game. Wilson cannot be trusted if Pickens doesn’t return to the lineup despite the favorable matchup.
Easy Cut: Geno Smith- QB, Seattle Seahawks
Smith hasn’t scored more than 16 points in a game since Week 9. The team had a Week 10 bye; Smith has averaged just 11.6 PPG since then. Week 11 was the last time he scored more than 14.
On top of his dreadful production recently, Smith is now dealing with a knee injury that caused him to exit his game this past weekend. He did not return. While they’re reporting his knee is structurally sound, it seems unlikely he’ll be 100% by this weekend.
Easy Cut: Javonte Williams - RB, Denver Broncos
He’s scored over 9.5 half-PPR points once since Week 8. Since that time, he’s averaging 6.6 half-PPR PPG. He has gotten ten carries in a game since Week 10. Williams has been held to fewer than 3.5 half-PPR points in the past five games three times.
The injury to Jaleel McLaughlin could, theoretically, increase his utilization and, thus, fantasy value. However, at this time, it’s virtually impossible to trust him, even though Denver has two favorable matchups against the Chargers and Bengals. If McLaughlin’s injury isn’t enough for you to feel confident starting Javonte, you might as well cut him for a handcuff or a streamer you can use this week or next.
Easy Cut: Gus Edwards- RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Edwards has averaged 3.3 half-PPR PPG in eight games where he hasn’t found the end zone. In the two games where he has scored, he’s averaged 8.3 half-PPR PPG. His highest game with a touchdown is 9.6. His highest game without a touchdown is 5.9.
That’s the kind of upside you’re getting with Edwards – none. You may be desperate for a running back starter, but hopefully, you’re not this desperate. Edwards is unstartable. There’s also a good chance Kimani Vidal starts to get more worth due to how inefficient Edwards has been.
Easy Cut: Tank Dell - WR, Houston Texans
I held out hope with Dell for far too long. I gave him a long leash due to his turbulent offseason and injury last season. The offensive line, the other receiver injuries, and Stroud’s up-and-down play didn’t help. I was hoping this talented offense would right the ship. It hasn’t, and I’m done waiting.
Over his last five games, he’s averaging 6.0 half-PPR PPG. He has scored double-digits three times this season. Two of them required a touchdown to get him there. He hasn’t scored over 16.0 half-PPR points all year, indicating his ceiling is not all that high.
Tough Cut: Justin Herbert - QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert had a fantastic four-game stretch from Weeks 8-11, averaging 21.9 PPG, but since that time, Herbert is averaging just 13.3 PPG. He has not scored 14 points in any of his last three games. Ladd McConkey missed one of those games, and Herbert has been beaten up. However, that’s part of the problem. He’s been dealing with a thigh injury and a high-ankle sprain.
He’s on a short week in Week 16, facing off against his divisional rivals, the Denver Broncos, on Thursday Night. Herbert is a gamer, so there’s little to no chance he’ll miss the contest, but how effective will he be?
Tough Cut: Patrick Mahomes - QB, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s tough cutting Mahomes, although he has already made this list this season. He’s picked up his scoring in the second half of the season, but truthfully, most of it came in two games against the Buccaneers and Panthers. Those two games have helped increase his PPG average to 16.7, where he is just narrowly ranked as the QB12 for the season. He has two tough matchups coming up. One was against Houston in Week 16, and the other was on the road against Pittsburgh in Week 17.
Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain this past week. He may miss a week or two because of it. It’s also possible he plays through it like Herbert has. However, the injury could impact his production if he does, especially in two difficult matchups.
Tough Cut: Amari Cooper - WR, Buffalo Bills
Cooper had 14 targets, six receptions, and 95 yards en route to 12.5 half-PPR points in Week 14. It was, by far, his best performance since being traded to the Bills. Then, this past weekend, he finished fourth among Buffalo receivers in snaps played and did not register a single target. The poor performance is even more concerning because it coincides with Dalton Kincaid and Keon Coleman’s return to the lineup.
This offense likes to spread the ball around, and it seems like the offense will flow through Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid, first and second. That leaves Cooper fighting to be third in line with Coleman and the running backs. Fantasy managers do not have to cut him, but it’s impossible to trust him
Tough Cut: Cade Otton - TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Since Mike Evans has returned following the team’s Week 11 bye, Otton has had three out of four games with four or fewer targets. He’s been held to 30 or fewer yards in three of them and has just one game with more than three catches.
Jalen McMillan has come on strong recently and has operated as Baker Mayfield‘s No. 2 target-earner. With Evans on the field, Mayfield has been able to work downfield more than he could in his absence. That led to more check-down targets for Otton.
