👉 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 (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

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!

 

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!




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

Chase Elliott

is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Jaylen Brown

to Miss Second Straight Game
Roman Wilson

a Cut Candidate for Dynasty Managers Facing Roster Decisions
Chase Briscoe

has Plenty of Upside for DFS Lineups at Martinsville
Patrick Mahomes

Andy Reid Doesn't Offer Timeline on Patrick Mahomes
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Unlikely to See High-Leverage Opportunities in Near Future
Tre' Harris

The Buy-Low Window for Tre' Harris Could Be Closing
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Is Dont'e Thornton Jr. Still Worth Rostering in Dynasty Formats?
Braelon Allen

Has Clear Buy-Low Upside Coming Off a Lost Year
Michael Mayer

Is Michael Mayer a Sneaky Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Managers?
KaVontae Turpin

Blocked Off from a Significant Offensive Role in Dallas
Josh Allen

"Good to Go" After Foot Surgery
Cole Hutson

Delivers Two Assists Saturday
Mikhail Sergachev

Ties Mammoth Record With Four Assists
Connor McDavid

Reclaims Scoring Lead With Three-Point Effort
Dmitri Voronkov

Unavailable Sunday
Aliaksei Protas

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Saturday Night
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Martinsville?
Josh Anderson

Limited Due to Illness Saturday
Ryan Preece

Is A Solid DFS Option for Martinsville Lineups
Josh Berry

Could Josh Berry Pay Off for Tournament DFS Lineups At Martinsville?
DAL

Nathan Bastian Makes Early Exit Saturday
Carson Hocevar

May be Too Inconsistent to Start in Martinsville DFS Lineups
Dejounte Murray

Uncertain for Sunday
Austin Cindric

Is Austin Cindric Worth Rostering for DFS At Martinsville?
Jerami Grant

Won't Play Against Wizards
Pascal Siakam

Iffy for Sunday
Chet Holmgren

Available Against Knicks Sunday
Norman Powell

May Miss Sunday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Questionable Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Unlikely to Return This Season
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Martinsville
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Martinsville
Tyler Reddick

Should Come Back Down to Earth at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Will Be Strong at Martinsville
Deshaun Watson

in "Pole Position" to be Week 1 Starting QB?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looking to Rebound at Martinsville
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Showing Progress, Qualifies Fifth at Martinsville
Gabriel Vilardi

has a Two-Point Performance
Ivan Demidov

Collects Two More Points on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Out Sunday vs. Trail Blazers
Neemias Queta

Questionable for Sunday
Jayson Tatum

Could Rest on Back-to-Back
Derrick White

Could Miss Hornets Game
Immanuel Quickley

Remains Sidelined vs. Magic
Brandon Ingram

Questionable Against Orlando
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic to Serve One-Game Suspension Monday
Walter Clayton Jr.

is Available for Saturday's Game
Dylan Cease

Fans 12 in Blue Jays Debut on Saturday
Jahmai Mashack

is Returning on Saturday
Guerschon Yabusele

is Absent on Saturday
Malik Monk

Moves into Starting Five on Saturday
Kyler Murray

Dynasty Value Gets New Life With Move to Minnesota
Jonathan Kuminga

to Sit Out on Saturday
Onyeka Okongwu

Won't Play on Saturday
Rachaad White

Is Rachaad White the New RB1 for the Commanders?
Shane Wright

Exits Early Saturday
Connor Zary

Remains Out Saturday Night
Noah Laba

a Game-Time Call Sunday
Jonathan Quick

to Remain Unavailable Sunday
Stefon Diggs

Still a Free Agent With April Approaching
Joel Hanley

to Miss Rest of Season
Alvin Kamara

Workload Expected to Look Drastically Different in 2026
Ethen Frank

Remains Out Saturday
Robert Thomas

Available Saturday
Andrew Vaughn

Needs Hand Surgery, Expected to be Out 4-6 Weeks
Jacob deGrom

"Confident" he Will Make his Next Start
Trey Benson

Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Arizona
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Can Jacory Croskey-Merritt Emerge as the Clear RB1 in Washington?
Lamar Jackson

Looking for Return to Full Health in 2026
Sean Tucker

Remains Buried on Buccaneers' Running Back Depth Chart
Jake Tonges

Appears Likely to Enter 2026 Atop 49ers' Tight End Depth Chart
NFL

Can Ja'Kobi Lane Carve Out a Fantasy-Relevant Role as a Rookie?
Chig Okonkwo

Instantly Jumping to Fantasy Relevance in Washington?
Aaron Jones Sr.

Set for Familiar Role in 2026?
Jacob deGrom

Scratched From Saturday's Start Due to Neck Stiffness
Jeferson Quero

Brewers Calling Up Catching Prospect Jeferson Quero
David Pastrnak

Riding 11-Game Point Streak
John Gibson

Gets Back on Track Friday
J.T. Miller

Bags Three Points Against Blackhawks
Tage Thompson

Picks Up 400th Career Point
Patrick Kane

Collects Two Points in Friday's Win
Deyvison De Los Santos

Marlins Promote Deyvison De Los Santos to Major Leagues
Shea Langeliers

Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
Kevin Gausman

Picks Up No-Decision But Strikes Out 11 on Opening Day
Tanner Bibee

Day-to-Day, Could Make his Next Start
Shane Baz

Orioles Agree to Five-Year Extension
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Making Season Debut on Friday Against Angels
Tiger Woods

Involved In Rollover Car Crash
Tanner Bibee

Shoulder Issue Not Considered Serious
Joe Pyfer

Set For UFC Seattle Main Event
Israel Adesanya

Returns At UFC Seattle
Maycee Barber

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak To Eight
Alexa Grasso

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Dominic Canzone

a Top Pickup After Two-Homer Game
Niko Price

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michael Chiesa

Set For Retirement Fight
Chase DeLauter

Launches Two Home Runs, Emerges as Top Waiver-Wire Target
Lerryan Douglas

Set For His UFC Debut
Julian Erosa

Looks To Bounce Back
Tanner Bibee

Leaves Opening Day Start Early With Shoulder Inflammation
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes a Statement on Opening Day With 10 Strikeouts
Kevin McGonigle

has Four Hits in Impressive MLB Debut
Nico Hoerner

Cubs Agree to Six-Year Deal With Nico Hoerner
Jacob Misiorowski

Shows Off his High-Strikeout Upside in Opening Day Win
Paul Skenes

Greeted Harshly by Mets on Opening Day
Ryan Fox

a High-Upside Value in Houston
Marco Penge

a Boom-or-Bust Option in Houston
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back in Houston
Jason Day

a Volatile Option at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Harris English

Eyes a Bounce-Back at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Ben Griffin

Looks for Turnaround at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Rickie Fowler

Brings Strong Form Into Texas Children's Houston Open
Ryan Gerard

Can Continue Rolling at Texas Children's Houston Open
Pierceson Coody

Bounces Back at Valspar Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trying to Get Back on Track at Texas Children's Houston Open
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well Heading to Texas Children's Houston Open
Harry Hall

Looking for Consistency at Texas Children's Houston Open
Brooks Koepka

Continues Building Momentum
Scottie Scheffler

Withdraws From Texas Children's Houston Open
Luke Clanton

Might Have a Problem in Houston
Sam Stevens

Happy to See Houston This Week
Keith Mitchell

Tries to Rebound After The Players Championship
Will Zalatoris

Returning This Week at Houston
Wyndham Clark

Trending in the Wrong Direction Heading to Houston
Shane Lowry

Seeking Better Luck in Houston This Weekend
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF