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NFL players to consider cutting, dropping or benching for Week 13 of the 2018 season. Jason's list of fantasy football busts, injuries, and overrated players.
This is your weekly list of players to drop. I will do my best to limit this list to injured players and players you might consider holding. If you roster pure handcuffs or backups, obviously you can let them go at any time. The players on this list will, ideally, be guys that aren't clearly droppable, but no longer worth owning.
Below are my Week 13 cuts and drops for fantasy football. Each week from now until the end of the season, I’ll be offering my thoughts on players who don’t deserve to keep a roster spot on your fantasy football teams.
Let's get to it.
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Players to Consider Dropping or Replacing
Elijah McGuire (RB, NYJ)
While it is encouraging that Elijah McGuire is still out-snapping Isaiah Crowell, that has yet to translate into either increased touches or fantasy production. With the fantasy playoffs right around the corner, these sub-replacement level options don't need to be on rosters.
Jordan Howard (RB, CHI)
It's time. Here's a list of things Jordan Howard has failed to do this season: rush for 90 yards; score 17 fantasy points, produce an even remotely useful fantasy day without a touchdown. Howard is 95% owned. LeGarrette Blount is 14% owned. They're the same player. Howard is nothing more than a touchdown or bust RB3. You are never starting him with confidence and if you need a touchdown or bust RB3 in a pinch, just pick up Blount.
Royce Freeman (RB, DEN)
Truthfully, Royce Freeman probably should have been dropped weeks ago - shortly after he injured his ankle. I was curious to see if anything would change in his usage upon his return. It hasn't. Freeman played just 26% of the snaps last week. He's purely a handcuff and one you do not need to roster.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, GB)
The Packers WR2 is still owned in more than half of leagues. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has a combined two catches for 13 yards in his last two games. While he was still second in snaps at WR, the targeting just isn't there. The Packers are a dreadful team heading nowhere and "Aaron Rodgers WR2" no longer carries the punch it used to.
Ito Smith (RB, ATL)
It appears as if the two man Falcons backfield is over. Tevin Coleman hasn't been incredible by any stretch, but he is the only RB that matters. Ito Smith has a total of 14 carries over his past three games, in which the Falcons have failed to reach 20 points. The offense is not as strong as we'd like to believe it is and Smith has fallen too far behind Coleman.
Alex Collins (RB, BAL)
After a season in which Alex Collins defied the odds, he entered 2018 as a very polarizing player. On the one hand, he was extremely efficient in 2017 and legitimately looked good running the ball. On the other hand, Collins' athleticism measurables indicated a sub-replacement level player that barely belonged in the NFL. I think we have our answer. Collins was technically inactive with an injury last week, but we all know the truth - he lost his job to UDFA Gus Edwards. I think it's safe to say Collins' NFL relevance is just about over. His fantasy relevance is as well.
Players You May Be Considering Dropping, But Shouldn't
Jalen Richard (RB, OAK)
I wanted to put him on the cut list, but he still played about half the snaps. Jalen Richard is seeing the field plenty; he just isn't getting the ball enough. With a matchup against the Chiefs upcoming, he's worth hanging onto for one more week to see if his usage increases in a game the Raiders will need to throw to keep up.
