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The Cut List (Week 5): Players To Consider Cutting Bait On

Do you ever find yourself knowing exactly who you want to add to your team to make it that much more awesome, but you have not a single clue on who to give the boot? If so, you are in the right place as The Cut List--brought to you each week by All Stats A Salad's hosts Tony Peters and Ben Hamren--is here to provide you with both real and fictional reasons to drop the axe on a variety of players.

The football season waits for no human, don't get stuck with these fantasy stones blocking better options and keeping you from the throes of victory. All ownership rates are taken from Fleaflicker. Be sure to check out the weekly football (and NSFW) podcast, All Stats A Salad, by clicking here.

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about more Week 5 waiver wire recommendations, for all other positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Week 5 Players to Consider Cutting or Replacing

Sammy Watkins (WR, BUF) - 74% Owned

WK4: Did not play
2016: 6-of-11 for 63 yards, zero TD
WK5: Doesn't matter

BEN: Foot problems for a speed guy usually spell doom. But in wide receiver Sammy Watkins' case, it means something else entirely: the final nail in the coffin of his immediate fantasy value as he is now officially ruled out until at least Week 12. But even when healthy, he's struggled with consistently at times under Rex Ryan's rule, including this season. With a new coordinator at the helm of the offense and quarterback Tyrod Taylor willing to throw to anyone he deems open, it muddies the waters of his return enough that fantasy players should consider letting him be someone else's headache, including the waiver wire's.

All stats a salad...the dude goes by "King Me" on the Twitter and I'm confused how he could openly request such a thing without another him to stack atop of himself. Maybe he could use this version of himself, the play caller he can finally respect.

 

Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL) - 45% Owned

WK4: 2-for-3 for 22 yards, zero TD
2016: 13-of-20 for 152 yards, one TD
WK5: Broncos (last in points allowed to WR)

TONY: In a game where Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 503 yards and five touchdowns, Sanu caught 2-of-3 targets for 22 yards and no touchdowns. Other than a promising Week 1 performance, he's been a complete dud and there's nothing his next two matchups against the Broncos and Seahawks are going to do to correct that. Oh, and I guess his shoulder is separated, but that seems like trivial information in this case.

All stats a salad...Sanu is making the drop list this week for squandering a pair of the most incredible cleats I have ever laid eyes on. Featuring the mutant bad-ass of all mutant bad-asses, Wolverine, in both his classic yellow and black costume and a maskless, Hugh Jackman-inspired form--with claw marks and blood splatter to boot--he should be beserker barraging defenders left and right and earning cool new nicknames like Weapon Sanu or Mohamed X. Should.

 

Connor Barth (K, CHI) - 42% Owned

WK4: 1-of-2 FG, 2-of-2 XP
2016: 2-for-4 FG, 8-for-8 XP
WK5: Colts (tied for second-most points allowed to K)

TONY: I'm not quite sure why we are even having this conversation, owners of kicker Connor Barth, but here we are. The 42% owned kicker just cracked the top 25 in kickers with 14 total points, nine behind 24th-place Cody Parkey (owned in 0% of leagues, by the way). Sure, the 1-3 Bears have been anything but an offensive juggernaut, but Barth has already squandered two field goals chances and over half of his points have come from extra point kicks. This situation, like Chicago's win-loss record, is never recovering this year, making him a burden in nearly all leagues.

All stats a salad...Barth is destined for a terrible fantasy season thanks to what can only be described as the "Robbie Gould Curse," as seen in action Sunday after he missed a field goal on a day when Gould's face was featured on game-day tickets. After the Bears unceremoniously jettisoned Gould--their franchise leader in points--this preseason against the wishes of Bears' fans, its reasonable to think the wily veteran left behind some sort of foot curse to keep his record forever intact and keep fans chatting his name long into the future.

 

Hot Seat - Sending Warning Signals

Alshon Jeffery (WR, CHI) - 100% Owned

WK4: 3-of-5 for 46 yards, zero TD
2016: 17-of-25 for 317 yards, zero TD
WK5: Colts (26th in points allowed to WR)

TONY: After a rather pedestrian Week 3 performance against the Cowboys, it came out that wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is not at full-health as a knee injury had been holding him back. In-between then and Week 4's game, he added a hamstring injury to the mix, both of which tag-teamed to limit him to three catches and 46 yards Sunday. When healthy--as in the first two games of the season--he's as good as any receiver in the league. But until Jeffery takes time off to heal proper, he is establishing a disturbing trend of non-WR1 production.

All stats a salad...besides the aforementioned Bears-related curse above, Jeffery is drawing my ire this week for letting his stockholders down, down, down. Despite person investment site Fantex paying out a record $2.74mm in cash dividends according to a September press release, investors in Jeffery only received $0.31 per share, behind quarterback EJ Manuel ($0.37), defensive tackle Michael Brockers ($0.61), tight Vernon Davis ($1.50) and fellow cut-lister Sanu ($3.60).

 

Duke Johnson (RB, CLE) - 72% Owned

WK4: eight rushes for 45 yards; 6-of-8 for 31 yards; 1 FUM
2016: 24 rushes for 148 yards; 18-of-25 for 115 yards; 1 FUM
WK5: Patriots (18th in points allowed to RB)

BEN: With the departure of Terrence West to Baltimore, the future was looking bright for Duke. But then Isaiah Crowell took his decent year last year and stormed through the gates of this year to effectively rain all over the hopes and dreams of Duke and his owners alike. This is the one position on the field where Terrelle Pryor won't steal your job as well as the only other spot locked up. Shallow leagues, worth a cut; deep leagues, worth a bench.

All stats a salad...this dude can't catch a break. Johnson has a fumble lost even though he recovered it. The refs thought that it would be funnier to give the ball to Washington though Duke was holding the ball and Washington never had it. That's the Browns, folks.

 

Stash and Pray

Jay Ajayi (RB, MIA) - 30% Owned

WK4: six rushes for 33 yards; 2-of-2 for 13 yards
2016: 18 rushes for 75 yards, 6-of-6 for 44 yards
WK5: Titans (29th in points allowed to RB)

BEN: Miami is a hotbed for nonsense, and Miko Grimes isn't even stirring the pot this time. With the tragic-yet-predictable injury to Arian Foster, the backfield is now wide open and the Dolphins have committed to no one. Both Ajayi and upstart Kenyan Drake were "benched" in favor of second upstart Damien Williams. Ajayi's still the most productive of the lot and Coach Adam Gase is aiming to thin the running back herd, so if he can get anything going against a resilient Titans run defense, he should build himself a buffer against the fate of obscurity as part of running committee.

All stats a salad...the words "sulk and struggle" may have been used to describe Ajayi after he was named the back-up to Foster to start the season. But in reality, this London-born running back just needs his pickle juice. He might say it was a one-time thing he did in college, but that face shows he enjoyed it. Free the pickle!

 

Eric Ebron (TE, DET) - 77% Owned

WK4: 4-of-5 for 42 yards, zero TD
2016: 18-of-25 for 210 yards, one TD
WK5: Eagles (last in points allowed to TE)

BEN: A tight end with upside is a terrible thing to waste. A tight end with ankle and knee injury issues might be. Hopes were high that Eric Ebron would be one of the benefactors following the departure of Megatron. More targets for everyone now, right? Apparently, quarterback Matthew Stafford has found his new paramour, and it's Marvin Jones. Ebron has four-plus receptions in each game this season, but he needs to maximize those chances because Marvin will. Then there's that thing about the Eagles fresh off their bye, but at least Ebron won't be penalized for Stafford's interceptions.

All stats a salad...he gives up on blocking for running backs not named Ameer Abdullah, giving up on a play in the fourth quarter Sunday while blocking for Theo Riddick. With his love for his injured friend clouding his judgement--and I don't blame him based on these thoughts on Boy Meets World's Topanga--the man is going to disappoint more than just fantasy players.

 


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cade Otton

Remains a Quality Dynasty Depth Piece
CFB

Walker Lyons Could be Go-To Target for Bear Bachmeier
Austin Reaves

Scores 31 Points in Game 2 Defeat
T.J. Hockenson

Bounce-Back Chances Stifled by Improved Pass-Catching Depth
CFB

Ty Benefield a Potential Game-Changer for LSU Defense
Chet Holmgren

Anchors Thunder Past Lakers in Game 2
CFB

Hayden Lowe Set for Significant Role Following Miami's NFL Departures
Jordan Addison

Facing Competition for No. 2 Role?
Tobias Harris

Stays Hot in Game 2 Victory
Cade Cunningham

Pushes Pistons to 2-0 Series Lead
CFB

Taylor Wein in Position for Big Season on Oklahoma's Defensive Line
Taylor Heinicke

Retiring After 11 Seasons
Jarrett Allen

Provides Bright Spot in Cavs' Game 2 Loss to Pistons
Jauan Jennings

Signs With Vikings on One-Year Deal
CFB

Rasheem Biles an Instant Impact Player for Texas
James Harden

Struggles in Game 2 Loss
Donovan Mitchell

Finishes Game 2 Loss with 31 Points
Gradey Dick

Open to Trade Away From Toronto
Michael Porter Jr.

Wants to Stay in Brooklyn
Charlotte Hornets

Hornets Extend Charles Lee After 25-Win Improvement
Jarred Vanderbilt

Ruled Out for Game 2 Against Thunder
Luke Kennard

Cleared to Play Thursday
Ayo Dosunmu

Considered Questionable for Game 3 Against Spurs
Anthony Edwards

Remains Questionable on Injury Report Ahead of Game 3
Mitchell Robinson

Probable for Friday's Action
Kevin Huerter

Remains Out Thursday
Sam Merrill

Unavailable Thursday
OG Anunoby

Tagged as Questionable for Friday
Joel Embiid

Listed as Questionable for Game 3 Against Knicks
Dan Vladar

Looks to Return to Winning Ways Thursday
Connor Dewar

Penguins Re-Sign Connor Dewar for Two Years
Mikko Rantanen

Played Through Torn MCL Late in the Season
Rasmus Dahlin

Ready to Go Friday
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Signs Franchise Tender on Thursday
Alexander Nikishin

Set to Return Thursday
Joe Burrow

Attending Voluntary Workouts, Ready for Monster Season?
Christian Dvorak

Available Thursday
Owen Tippett

Remains Out Thursday
Roman Anthony

Heading for the Injured List
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
T.J. Hockenson

Can T.J. Hockenson Bounce Back with Improved Quarterback Play in Minnesota?
Jordan Love

Is Jordan Love's Dynasty Upside Fading Entering 2026?
Dalton Schultz

Facing Increased Playing Time Competition in Houston Entering 2026
Kimani Vidal

Dynasty Value in Question Due to Uncertain Playing Time Outlook
Juwan Johnson

Facing Reduced Role in New Orleans Following NFL Draft?
Chuba Hubbard

a Prime Bounce-Back Candidate Following Offseason Moves
Indianapolis Colts

Kenny Moore Granted his Release by Colts
Minnesota Vikings

Chad Alexander a Candidate for Vikings GM Job
Tarik Skubal

Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Request to Interview RJ Gillen for GM Job
Drake Maye

Shoulder Doing "Great"
Gunnar Helm

a Clear Breakout Candidate Despite Crowded Offense?
Travis Hunter

Dynasty Managers Regret Drafting Travis Hunter?
Khalil Shakir

Offseason Addition a Threat to Khalil Shakir's Consistency?
Christian Watson

Can Christian Watson Overcome Injury History?
Cole Ragans

Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
Paul George

Does a Little Bit of Everything in Game 2 Loss
Tyrese Maxey

Tallies Team-High 26 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Mark Stone

Nets Late Power-Play Goal in Losing Effort
Leo Carlsson

Pots Game-Winner Wednesday Night
Juraj Slafkovsky

Ends Point Drought in Game 1 Loss
Bowen Byram

Ties Franchise Record With Fourth Postseason Goal
Zach Benson

Posts Second Consecutive Multi-Point Game
Rasmus Dahlin

"Seems Fine" After Early Exit on Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks
Joe Ryan

Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday Against Cleveland
Tyler Glasnow

Not Expected to Land on the Injured List
Framber Valdez

Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Nils Hoglander

Will Miss World Championship Due to Injury
Christian Dvorak

Likely to Play in Game 3 Against Hurricanes
Owen Tippett

a Game-Time Decision Thursday
Noah Cates

to Miss Rest of Round 2
Arber Xhekaj

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup Wednesday
Brendan Gallagher

Scratched on Wednesday
Logan Stanley

Returns to Action Wednesday
Framber Valdez

Suspended Six Games
Tyler Glasnow

Exits Early on Wednesday With Back Pain
CFB

Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
CFB

Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
CFB

Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
CFB

Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
CFB

Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
CFB

Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Brandon Woodruff

has Fluid Drained From his Right Shoulder
Brandon Woodruff

to Resume Throwing on Saturday, Return Imminent?
Carlos Correa

to Have Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Jacob Misiorowski

Listed as Friday's Probable Starter
Logan Webb

Dealing With Knee Discomfort
Carlos Correa

Expected to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Truist Championship
Xander Schauffele

Carries Elite Form Into Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Secures Third Win of 2026 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well Heading to Truist Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Returns to Action For Truist Championship
Justin Thomas

Searching for Consistency at Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Break Through at Quail Hollow
Adam Scott

Brings Strong Form to Quail Hollow
Robert MacIntyre

a Steady Option at Truist Championship
Jason Day

Looks to Overcome Approach Struggles at Quail Hollow
Akshay Bhatia

Looks for Complete Game at Truist Championship
Mats Zuccarello

Extends Point Streak to Five Games
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Headed for Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Carted Off With Apparent Hamstring Injury on Tuesday
Justin Rose

to Continue Mid-Season Club Change at Truist Championship
Si Woo Kim

is Back to Peak Form Ahead of Truist Championship
Sam Burns

to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Cameron Young

Looks to Carry Dominance to Quail Hollow
Rory McIlroy

Returns to Familiar Stomping Grounds This Week at Quail Hollow
Chris Gotterup

Looking to Bounce Back at Quail Hollow
MLB

Cardinals-Brewers Game Postponed on Tuesday
Roman Anthony

Day-to-Day With Wrist Sprain
Jacob Misiorowski

"All Things Look Good" for Jacob Misiorowski to Start on Wednesday
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking For Better Iron Play at Quail Hollow
MLB

Rockies-Mets Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
CFB

Mario Craver Enters No. 1 Wide Receiver Role for Marcel Reed
CFB

LaNorris Sellers a Strong Rebound Candidate in 2026
CFB

Cam Coleman Poised for Monster Year at Texas?
CFB

Will Hammond Pushing to Be Ready for Week 1
Alex Fitzpatrick

Looking to Keep Up Ball-Striking Output at Quail Hollow
CFB

Notre Dame Leads College Football in Returning Snaps
CFB

Two Ole Miss Football Players Arrested, Charged with DUI
Ben Griffin

Looks Solid on the Surface Heading to Charlotte
Chase Elliott

Earns his Second Texas Motor Speedway Victory
Denny Hamlin

Misses Out on Winning at Texas
Alex Bowman

Finishes Third for the Second Week in a Row at Texas
Tyler Reddick

Earns Seventh Top-Five Finish of the Season at Texas
Chris Buescher

Scores his First Career Texas Finish in the Top Five
CFB

Bryce Underwood in Better Situation Entering Sophomore Season
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Emerging as Leader, Playmaker for UCLA
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Shines At UFC Perth
Beneil Dariush

Suffers A First-Round TKO Loss
Quillan Salkilld

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Tim Elliott

Drops Decision At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ollie Schmid

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Marwan Rahiki

Remains Unbeaten
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell Worth Rostering for Texas Lineups?
William Byron

Might have the Speed to Compete for the Win at Texas
Joey Logano

Provides Solid Upside for Texas DFS Lineups
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Pick for Texas Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Should DFS Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Texas?
Daniel Suarez

Is Daniel Suarez Worth Rostering After Career-Best Starting Position at Texas?
Kyle Busch

Is a DFS Risk Starting in the Top 10 at Texas
Tyler Reddick

One of the Favorites to Win at Texas
Chase Elliott

Could Contend for Another Win at Texas
Carson Hocevar

on Pole at Texas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wrecks in Practice at Texas
Chris Buescher

Looking to Continue Strong Run at Texas
Austin Dillon

Blows Engine in Practice at Texas
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RANKINGS

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