Top Players To Cut for Week 16 Lineups - Patrick Mahomes, Christian Watson, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Bam Knight, Isaiah Likely, Devin Neal, Alec Pierce, Nick Chubb, Mark Andrews, Marvin Harrison Jr.

December 15, 2025

Updated weekend fantasy football cut list rankings for Week 16 of 2025. The top fantasy football players to drop and cut from rosters including Patrick Mahomes, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Watson, Mark Andrews, more.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Cut List Rankings for fantasy football Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season. In Week 15 of the NFL season, managers saw several players continue to lose fantasy value, including Chris Rodriguez Jr., Sam Darnold, Parker Washington, Isaiah Likely, Nick Chubb, Devin Neal, and more

In addition, over the past week, several players suffered serious injuries, including Patrick Mahomes, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season, and Green Bay wide receiver Christian Watson, who is in danger of sitting out in Week 16.

So, which injured or disappointing players is it time to get rid of for fantasy football lineups? Read about our top players to cut for Week 16 of the NFL season. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Who To Drop for Fantasy Football Week 16?

The top players to consider cutting for fantasy football, in priority order. Players at the top of the list should be dropped first and replaced on the waiver wire:

Fantasy Football Drop Candidates

Read the recent news and fantasy outlooks of some of the top cut candidates:

Patrick Mahomes, QB - Kansas City Chiefs (Cut List Ranking No. 1)

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) has suffered a torn ACL. Mahomes exited Sunday's loss to the Chargers in the fourth quarter after suffering a left knee injury. Following the game, the three-time Super Bowl winner underwent an MRI, which eventually revealed the extent of their injury. The team noted that Mahomes and the club are currently exploring surgical options. As a result, this will keep the 30-year-old quarterback sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 campaign and potentially part of the 2026 season.

Before exiting on Sunday, Mahomes went 16-for-28 with 189 yards, an interception, and added 15 yards and a score with his legs. For the remainder of the season, Gardner Minshew is slated to take over QB1 duties in Kansas City. He will carry mid-end QB2 upside in Week 16, facing a weak Tennessee secondary, playing in an offense with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR - San Francisco 49ers (Cut List Ranking No. 2)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was placed on the reserve/left squad list on Saturday. This move will make Aiyuk ineligible to return and will end his season. Aiyuk has been out all season while recovering from ACL and MCL tears in his right knee, which he suffered during the 2024 season. All signs are pointing to the two sides splitting apart this offseason. The 27-year-old should draw interest on the free agent market, but he's likely taken his last snap in San Francisco.

Aiyuk is worth stashing in dynasty formats, but it's unclear how this knee injury is going to impact his performance on the field in the future. He can safely be dropped in all redraft formats with his 2025 season being officially over.

Christian Watson, WR - Green Bay Packers (Cut List Ranking No. 50)

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that wide receiver Christian Watson (chest) was taken to the hospital for further evaluation on his chest injury following his team's Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. Watson recorded three catches for 29 yards on five targets before being forced to exit the game in the third quarter. The 26-year-old missed Green Bay's first six games of the 2025 season while rehabbing a knee injury that ended his 2024 season. Watson has been coming on strong of late, recording five touchdown catches over his last four games coming into Week 15.

While the exact severity of Watson's injury is unclear, his status would appear to be up in the air for Green Bay's Week 16 matchup against the Chicago Bears next Saturday night. If Watson is sidelined, Packers wideouts Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden could all see increased roles.

Devuaghn Vele, WR - New Orleans Saints (Cut List Ranking No. 43)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele (shoulder) exited during the fourth quarter of the team's 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Vele left the game due to a shoulder injury after hauling in five catches for 69 yards on six targets. The 28-year-old was spotted after the game with his left arm in a sling, reported by Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football.

With Vele in a sling, it will leave his availability in Week 16 against the New York Jets will be up in the air. Vele's status will become clearer when the Saints resume team practice on Wednesday.

Harold Fannin Jr., TE - Cleveland Browns (Cut List Ranking No. 61)

Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. hauled in seven of his 14 targets for 48 yards during Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Chicago Bears. For the second straight week, Fannin led the team in receptions and targets, and he had one carry for two yards. The Cleveland offense struggled to gain its footing in Chicago, but the dependable rookie tight end continues to provide fantasy managers with a safe PPR floor.

Fannin has a tough matchup against the Buffalo Bills' defense in Week 16, which has allowed the fewest points to tight ends this season. However, with David Njoku (knee) still dealing with an injury, Fannin is postured to remain a focal point and an offense that is engineering touches for him.

Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals (Cut List Ranking No. 53)

According to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com, Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (ankle) did not return to the Week 15 road outing against the Houston Texans due to an ankle injury. Knight was initially deemed questionable to re-enter the game after he was carted off early on with an ankle injury. However, he was eventually ruled out later in the second half due to this injury.

Backfield mate Michael Carter has took over lead rushing duties in the 24-year-old's stead, considering teammate Emari Demercado entered the game with an ankle issue of his own. Depending on the severity of Knight's ailment, Carter could be a hot waiver add over the week ahead. Given that Knight led the backfield since Trey Benson (knee) has been on the IR, he is a firm hold in 12-team formats entering Week 16.

Waiver Wire Articles

After diving into the cut list rankings, read about some waiver wire pickups to consider instead:

• Week 16 waiver wire pickups (all positions)
• Week 16 running back waiver wire pickups
• Week 16 wide receiver waiver wire pickups
• Week 16 tight end waiver wire pickups
• Week 16 defense (D/ST) streamers and pickups
• Week 16 kicker streamers and pickups
• Week 16 FAAB waiver wire bids

Each week, our NFL team puts out a complete array of fantasy football waiver wire articles to compliment our slick Who Should I Pickup? Waiver wire player comparison tool. Bookmark it!

In addition, be on the lookout for our other waiver wire articles all season long. We will be releasing weekly waiver wire articles for each position, FAAB bidding recommendations, streamers and more throughout the week.

More Waiver Wire Analysis