Roster management is the single most crucial in-season task for fantasy football managers. Knowing which players to let go is as important as adding the right guys. Which players find themselves on our Week 3 fantasy football cut list?
Players You Should Cut in Fantasy Football
All roster percentages are taken from Yahoo.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (74%)
When looking over the potential names for last week’s cut list, the most outrageous thing I saw was Trevor Lawrence rostered in over 80% of Yahoo leagues. Another week into the season, and he’s still on 74% of rosters. Make it make sense!
Throughout his entire career, Lawrence has been a viable fantasy starter for two separate stretches lasting about a month in each of 2022 and 2023. Otherwise, he’s been nothing more than a poor streaming option, at best.
To open the 2024 season, Lawrence looked like the same guy he’s been for the first three years of his career. He’s averaged 191 passing yards over his first two games and thrown for a single touchdown. Lawrence is nothing more than a situational streamer.
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears (80%)
It’s been two games, and Caleb Williams clearly is not ready for the differences between college and the pros. However, it’s far too soon to write him off as a bust (not that anyone is actually doing that).
Williams has displayed the skills that made him the No. 1 overall pick. It’s just been a challenge to do so consistently, given the poor offensive scheme, subpar play-calling, and dreadful offensive line play.
MORE: Kyle Soppe’s Week 3 Start/Sit Advice for Every Fantasy-Relevant Player
I still believe there will come a time when Williams is a weekly fantasy starter. But we aren’t there now, and it doesn’t seem as if that time is coming soon.
Williams posted single-digit fantasy points in both of his first two games and is still looking for his first career touchdown pass. Fantasy managers shouldn’t feel compelled to hold onto him while he figures things out.
Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos (38%)
There is a world where Jaleel McLaughlin could be a useful Flex play, but that world is not one on an offense led by Bo Nix. It’s early in the rookie’s career, but Nix doesn’t look even remotely ready to quarterback an NFL offense.
McLaughlin is supposed to be a satellite back, yet he didn’t see a single target in Week 2. He ran the ball three times for six yards. That was his entire stat line.
A running back playing 30% of the snaps can be worth rostering. However, McLaughlin is not being used, and he doesn’t have injury-contingent upside. If Javonte Williams goes down, McLaughlin would not become the lead back. There’s no upside here and, evidently, no floor, either.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Buffalo Bills (35%)
Curtis Samuel is still on a bit too many rosters. We now have two weeks of data on the Bills’ wide receiver rotation, and Samuel is very clearly a situational player. He only ran eight routes on Thursday night and is behind Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Mack Hollins on the depth chart. There’s no upside here.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints (60%)
You know the drill with Taysom Hill — you’re hoping for a touchdown. It’s fine if you’re fine with that. You can keep rostering Hill and maybe start him, but by no means is he a must-roster.
Hill hasn’t thrown a pass this season, as Derek Carr has been on fire. He has eight total carries in the first two games and one catch for one yard in each. Feel free to drop Hill.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers (41%)
Heading into fantasy drafts, we really weren’t sure what the Packers would do at tight end. Last year, Luke Musgrave was the clear starter. Then, after he went on injured reserve, Tucker Kraft performed well, staking his claim to the TE1 role.
Both of these guys are talented, but it’s been two weeks now, and Kraft is clearly the TE1, significantly out-snapping Musgrave for a second consecutive game.
Against the Colts, Musgrave caught one pass for six yards. The only hope he has for fantasy value is after Jordan Love returns, which isn’t expected for another two weeks. There’s no reason to stash a handcuff TE that long.