👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

The Cut List - Players on the Chopping Block (Week 16)

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 16 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.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Players to Consider Dropping or Replacing

Anyone You're Not Starting Week 16

Let me first preface this by stating that you should not literally drop every single player you don't need for this week. You should also consider your opponent's roster and make sure you aren't dropping someone that your opponent can use. Players like Tom Brady, Jared Goff, and Baker Mayfield have been owned at a higher rate than their performance suggests, but they can be safely dropped this week with matchups against the Bills, 49ers, and Ravens respectively. You are not starting them and if you should not be concerned about your opponent starting them. If you've been using someone like Ryan Tannehill, but don't love his matchup this week, maybe hang onto him anyway because he's been good enough that he could be an upgrade for your opponent. This is the type of approach you should take towards all players.

Name Brands that Aren't Good

Odell Beckham has been terrible all season and now faces the Ravens. He's an easy drop. You can safely drop Cooper Kupp if you need to given his demotion to backup receiver and the bad matchup with the 49ers. In general, underperforming "stars" with bad matchups can be dropped.

Injured Players

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both done for the season with hamstring strains. They are obvious drops. If the news on Dalvin Cook's shoulder is grim and he's not playing this week, he can be dropped. With Week 15 being a relatively light injury week, anyone hurt over the preceding weeks that you were holding out hope for a return can be let go once it's clear a return is not happening.

Handcuffs

It is the final week of the fantasy season. Either your handcuff is now the starter, or you don't need that handcuff. Handcuffing season is over.

 

Final Advice

This late in the season, you can pretty much drop anyone you don't have immediate use for. Your goal is to win your fantasy championship (or the third place prize if that matters in your league). That's really it. If you need a player to help you win Week 16, you can drop any player that is not going to help you win Week 16 and also won't help your opponent.

Even though we're at the end of the road and it's pretty much just hoping our players come through, there are still steps you can take to gain a small edge. You can utilize every available roster spot to benefit you. If your opponent is all set, then there's not much you can do. But, if your opponent needs to stream a defense or a quarterback or replace an injured receiver or running back, feel free to play defense and target the top guys you think your opponent will target. Use everything at your disposal to try and win this one last matchup.

Players To Add - Waiver Wire Pickups




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kawhi Leonard

Ready to Face Dallas Saturday
Draymond Green

Available Saturday Against Atlanta
De'Anthony Melton

Cleared to Play Saturday
Jalen Johnson

Sidelined Saturday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Will Play Against Heat
Kristaps Porzingis

Out Saturday Against Hawks
Jaylon Tyson

Ruled Out Versus Pelicans
Donovan Mitchell

Available Saturday Against New Orleans
Dylan Larkin

Remains Out Saturday
Austin Reaves

Cleared to Play Saturday
Jake Sanderson

Could Return in 7-10 Days
Morgan Rielly

Unavailable Saturday
Urho Vaakanainen

Considered Week-to-Week
Noah Laba

Out Week-to-Week
Tyler Toffoli

Questionable for Road Trip
Victor Hedman

Won't Play Against Oilers
Konnor Griffin

Assigned to Minor-League Camp
Jake Ferguson

Tails Off Late in 2025
Shedeur Sanders

Set to Face Competition Ahead of 2026
Tyreek Hill

Remains a Free Agent
Brock Bowers

Set for a Major Quarterback Upgrade?
Mack Hollins

Still Trending Up in New England?
Malik Washington

a Breakout Candidate Going into Year 3?
Mike Gesicki

a Bounce-Back Candidate in Third Year in Cincy
Xavier Legette

the Panthers' WR3 Heading into 2026?
Rashod Bateman

Dynasty Stock is on Life Support
Gleyber Torres

Scratched From Lineup on Saturday With Lower-Back Tightness
DJ Giddens

an Intriguing Handcuff Despite Minimal Standalone Value
Hunter Henry

Set to Collect Some Vacated Targets?
AJ Barner

Firmly Positioned Atop Depth Chart
Cedric Tillman

Dynasty Managers Losing Patience?
Josh Jacobs

Remains a Strong RB1 Option
Devon Witherspoon

Seahawks Pick Up Devon Witherspoon's Fifth-Year Option
Aaron Nesmith

Could Miss Saturday's Game
Andrew Nembhard

Could Miss Fourth Straight Game
Brice Sensabaugh

Remains Out Saturday
Grayson Allen

Could Miss Third Straight Game
Royce O'Neale

Unlikely to Play Saturday
Kristaps Porzingis

Exits Early, Likely Out Saturday
Landry Shamet

Leaves Friday's Game with Knee Issue
Jake Allen

has Excellent Performance in Defeat
Logan Thompson

Nearly Perfect In Victory
Pascal Siakam

Uncertain for Saturday Against Spurs
Stephon Castle

Questionable for Saturday Versus Pacers
Donovan Mitchell

Questionable as Cavaliers Visit New Orleans
Kevin Porter Jr.

Listed as Questionable Against Phoenix
Isaiah Collier

to Miss Second Straight Game
Tanner Bibee

to Take the Ball on Opening Day
Logan Webb

to Start on Opening Day for Giants
Christian Wilkins

"Fully Intends" to Play in 2026
Jake Bobo

Jaguars Sign Receiver Jake Bobo to an Offer Sheet
Trent Williams

49ers Decline to Pick Up Trent Williams' $10 Million Option Bonus
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seahawks Exercise Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Fifth-Year Option
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez to Start on Opening Day for Phillies
Chris Sale

Braves Name Chris Sale as Their Opening Day Starter
Kyle Stowers

Leaves Friday's Game With Hamstring Tightness
DJ Chark

Hangs Up his Cleats
Jasson Domínguez

Jasson Dominguez Optioned to Triple-A
Tyler Toffoli

Won't Play Saturday
Joel Armia

Ready to Return From Back Injury
Joel Eriksson Ek

Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek to Remain Out Saturday
Ross Colton

Still Out Friday
Yan Kuznetsov

Remains Sidelined Friday
Shayne Gostisbehere

Misses Seventh Straight Contest
Jacob Misiorowski

Named Opening Day Starter
Morgan Rielly

Cleared to Play Friday
Mike Trout

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Mike Trout's Hand
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Panthers Expect Ja'Tavion Sanders to be Ready for Offseason Program
Dylan Crews

Optioned to Triple-A Rochester
Lerone Murphy

Set For UFC London Main Event
Movsar Evloev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Michael Aswell

Jr. An Underdog At UFC London
Luke Riley

Set For UFC London Co-Main Event
Joe Ryan

Named Opening Day Starter for Twins
Sam Patterson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Michael Page

Set For Welterweight Bout
Austen Lane

In Dire Need Of Victory
Iwo Baraniewski

A Favorite At UFC London
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Oilers with 21 Saves
Trent Frederic

Exits Early Against Panthers
Mason Appleton

Hurt Thursday Night
Tyler Toffoli

Suffers Lower-Body Injury in Thursday's Loss
Victor Hedman

Makes Early Exit Due to Illness
Francisco Alvarez

Pulled Early Thursday With Back Tightness
Luis Severino

to Start for A's on Opening Day
Logan Gilbert

Named Mariners Opening Day Starter
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Back in Cactus League Lineup on Thursday
Hayden Birdsong

to Have Tommy John Surgery, Miss Entire 2026 Season
Zack Wheeler

to Pitch in Minor-League Game on Monday
Paul Skenes

Pirates Officially Name Paul Skenes Their Opening Day Starter
Jurickson Profar

Officially Suspended for Entire 2026 Season
Carson Williams

"Likely" to Be Rays Opening Day Starting Shortstop
Akshay Bhatia

Withdraws From Valspar Championship
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Drawing Positive Reviews at Georgia Tech
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Impressing in Nebraska's Spring Practices
J.J. Spaun

Offers Upside Despite Poor Course History at Innisbrook
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Johnny Keefer

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Valspar Championship
Billy Horschel

a Volatile Play at Valspar Championship
Ben Griffin

Looks to Rebound at the Valspar Championship
Corey Conners

Brings Elite Ball-Striking to Valspar Championship
Xander Schauffele

Trending In The Right Direction For Valspar Championship
Sahith Theegala

Has Shot to Challenge at Valspar Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Looking to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Nicolai Hojgaard

Finding Rhythm For Valspar Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Hot Start to 2026 Heading to Valspar Championship
Pierceson Coody

Heads to Valspar Championship Following Two Missed Cuts
Wyndham Clark

Searching for Momentum at Valspar Championship
Justin Thomas

Is Justin Thomas Back Ahead of This Week's Valspar Championship?
Jordan Spieth

to Bounce Back at Favored Valspar Championship?
Brooks Koepka

is Starting to Find His Groove Again Ahead of Valspar Championship
Viktor Hovland

is One of The Best DFS Plays at Innesbrook
Rasmus Hojgaard

to Get Back on Track at Valspar Championship
Tony Finau

is Again a Scary Option at Valspar Championship
Blades Brown

Continues PGA Tour Run at Valspar Championship
Josh Emmett

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Kevin Vallejos

Scores First-Round TKO
Amanda Lemos

Drops Back-To-Back Fights
Gillian Robertson

Extends Her Win Streak
Andre Fili

Drops Decision on Saturday
Denny Hamlin

Dominates and Gets His Third Career Las Vegas Win
Chase Elliott

Earns Runner-Up Finish at Las Vegas
William Byron

Wins A Stage and Finishes Third at Las Vegas
Christopher Bell

Finishes Fourth at Las Vegas After Strong Run
Kyle Larson

Fades to Seventh Despite Leading Laps Early at Las Vegas
Andre Fili

Jose Delgado Edges Andre Fili in Split-Decision Win
Oumar Sy

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Ion Cutelaba

Returns To The Win Column
CFB

CJ Carr Enters Sophomore Season as Heisman Favorite
CFB

Aaron Philo Not a Lock to be Florida's Starting QB?
CFB

George MacIntyre the Favorite to Win Tennessee Quarterback Battle?
CFB

Keelon Russell, Austin Mack Battling for Alabama QB1 Duties
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF