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 2 fantasy football cut list?
Quarterbacks: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Rostered 52%
Trevor Lawrence managed just 11.3 fantasy points in Jacksonville’s 26-10 win over Carolina, completing 19 of 31 passes for 178 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ signal caller was not quite drafted as a fantasy starter, but plenty of fantasy analysts called him one of the better late-round darts if you completely punt the position.
This lackluster performance against one of the league’s weaker secondaries raises serious red flags. Lawrence’s accuracy woes continued as he frequently missed wide-open Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, picking up right where he left off last season. His 5.7 yards per attempt shows his completion percentage was not actually beneficial.
The most damaging aspect isn’t just the poor statistics. It’s the complete inability to capitalize on favorable game conditions. Jacksonville controlled this game throughout, taking a 20-3 halftime lead, yet Lawrence couldn’t deliver the explosive plays fantasy managers need from their QB1. Liam Coen may have led his team to victory in his first regular-season game as head coach, but he hasn’t done anything to improve his quarterback.
one handed int❗️
📺FOX pic.twitter.com/pXrH8RdEVy
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 7, 2025
Lawrence has spent his entire career proving he is not a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. Yet, every season, his supporters find ways to make excuses for him. Perhaps after this season, that will end.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Rostered 25%
Tua Tagovailoa delivered a fantasy disaster in Miami’s 33-8 blowout loss to Indianapolis, completing 14 of 23 passes for 114 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions, and a lost fumble.
The performance was particularly alarming given Miami’s offensive weapons remained healthy. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane were active yet couldn’t salvage Tagovailoa’s accuracy issues. His 60.9% completion rate and dismal 5.0 yards per attempt to suggest the conservative, YAC-dependent approach that worked in 2024 isn’t translating to 2025. While improved, Indianapolis’ defense isn’t nearly good enough to excuse this offensive ineptitude.
Tagovailoa isn’t on a ton of rosters. But we have seen QB1 upside before. At this point, there’s no reason to chase that pipe dream. Mike McDaniel probably won’t make it through the season. Hill may quit the team if they continue to struggle. This is heading toward blow-it-up territory. Drop Tua.
Running Backs: Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rostered 89%
If you drafted Kaleb Johnson, presumably, you knew this would happen. The Pittsburgh Steelers made it abundantly clear that the rookie would not play early in the season.
Johnson is on this list because you can drop him if necessary, but you probably shouldn’t just yet.
Johnson would always take time to work his way into the RB1 role. With one carry for -2 yards, he is obviously very far away from doing so. If you can’t afford to hold him knowing you can’t start him for at least another month, by all means, cut bait, especially in shallower leagues.
Kaleb Johnson NFL debut today:
1 Carry 🔥
-2 Yards 🔥🔥
1 Fumble 🔥
0 Speed 🧊 pic.twitter.com/HVHRaBWhNM— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) September 7, 2025
With that said, it’s hard to imagine Kenneth Gainwell maintaining a stranglehold on the RB2 job behind Jaylen Warren all year. Gainwell is a solid player but a journeyman veteran who is not a difference maker. Perhaps Johnson isn’t good enough, either. That’s in the range of outcomes. But he’s a third-round rookie, and we’ve seen those players take time to emerge before. Give Johnson a little more leash.
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
Rostered 53%
Remember when the Cleveland Browns would lean on the veteran in Week 1? Seems like such a long time ago.
Jerome Ford was technically the RB1 in terms of playing time, handling 54% of the snaps. Usage tells a different story.
Rookie Dylan Sampson earned 12 carries and eight targets, while Ford was limited to 6 carries and just a single target despite running more routes. For some reason, Raheim Sanders punched in the short touchdown.
“Every time Jerome Ford touched the ball, it was negative. Every time, it didn’t matter what play. He cannot break a tackle and he has no vision. I don’t think he has a future on this team.”
Should the Browns cut Jerome Ford when they add Quinshon Judkins to the active roster? pic.twitter.com/7BZuQYlGux
— The Dawgs – A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) September 8, 2025
With Quinshon Judkins signed and potentially debuting in Week 2, what the Browns want to do is pretty straightforward. This will be a two-man backfield featuring the two rookies. Ford should be phased out rather swiftly. You can also phase him out of your fantasy roster.
Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
Rostered 44%
There is a limit to how many handcuff running backs are worth rostering. We have to draw a line somewhere.
Najee Harris missed all of training camp because, as a professional football player making millions of dollars, he decided he needed to play with fireworks on the Fourth of July. When he returned to practice, Omarion Hampton had established himself as the Los Angeles Chargers’ clear RB1.
This reality manifested in Week 1 with Hampton playing 80% of the snaps. Meanwhile, Harris was out-snapped by the fullback and limited to just one carry and one target.
Harris would still be the favorite for lead-back duties if Hampton were to go down. But on the list of handcuff running backs worth rostering, the former Pittsburgh Steeler is way down there. You don’t need to hang onto him.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rostered 42%
Anyone following my work knows that there is no player I was fading more this season than Rachaad White. Typically, even the dartiest throws have some plausible path to upside. White has absolutely zero. No path to any fantasy value whatsoever.
As we saw over the final few games of the 2024 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completely removed White from their offensive plans. At this point, he is purely there to pass block.
The upside case would be a standalone receiving role with handcuff appeal in case of a Bucky Irving injury. Yours truly screamed from the rooftops all offseason that this was not the case. White’s role has no standalone value, and the handcuff to Irving is Sean Tucker.
Week 1 did nothing to change my mind. White played 24% of the snaps, ran nine routes, and saw three opportunities. He never should’ve been drafted. If you did, drop him for literally anyone else.
Wide Receivers: Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Rostered 45%
Rashod Bateman is such a fascinating player. Every season, he manages to do just enough to convince fantasy managers that maybe, just maybe, there is more meat on the bone. Then, he remains the same, good enough to roster/not good enough to start WR5.
Bateman did it again to open the season against the Buffalo Bills. In a game, the Baltimore Ravens scored 40 points (and somehow lost), Bateman earned a whopping four targets, catching two for 10 yards.
Zay Flowers is the clear WR1 and the only member of this passing game fantasy managers can trust. Mark Andrews was invisible the entire night, as well. Yet, even with Isaiah Likely out, Lamar Jackson only had eyes for Flowers.
We want good players in good offenses. The Ravens obviously have an elite offense and an elite quarterback. Unfortunately, Bateman is not a good player.
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
41%
Marvin Mims Jr. is so efficient, right? He just needs to play more. Surely, he’s earned it…right? Here’s a wild thought. What if Mims isn’t a full-time player because he isn’t good enough to be one?
We’ve seen Mims be incredibly efficient on minimal usage. In Week 1, he played 52% of the snaps, even with Troy Franklin in routes run behind Courtland Sutton. What did Mims deliver? Three catches for 12 yards and a lost fumble.
Broncos Week 1 route rates
Courtland Sutton: 100%
Troy Franklin: 65%
Marvin Mims: 63%
Trent Sherfield: 40%
Pat Bryant: 5%— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) September 8, 2025
Sean Payton pretty much does everything by committee except for Sutton. We have a rotation at running back, a rotation at tight end, and a rotation at wide receiver outside of Big Sut. The Mims breakout is not happening.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
Rostered 20%
The second-year receiver managed just three catches for 10 yards on seven targets in Carolina’s 26-10 loss to Jacksonville, totaling 4.0 PPR points. That target count (7) was encouraging, but the inability to create separation or generate chunk plays raises serious concerns about Legette’s NFL ceiling. His longest gain went just 9 yards, and the Carolina Panthers’ passing attack looked completely dysfunctional again with Bryce Young under constant pressure.
Legette’s 42.9% catch rate was alarming against a Jacksonville secondary that’s far from elite. His route-running limitations became evident as he struggled to get open consistently, forcing Young into difficult throws.
With Tetairoa McMillan as the clear WR1 and the Panthers’ offense showing no signs of the improvement it displayed at the end of the 2024 season, Legette’s path to consistent targets appears blocked. He doesn’t need to be rostered, even in the small percentage of leagues where he still is.
Tight Ends: Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Rostered 35%
It’s difficult to find tight ends who aren’t regularly rostered players to recommend cutting after just one week. Chig Okonkwo is the closest to this.
We are entering year three of the “Maybe Okonkwo will break out” narrative. So far, it hasn’t happened, and after one week, it sure looks like it still won’t.
The Tennessee Titans TE1 played 87% of the snaps and ran just two fewer routes than Calvin Ridley. His role was great, but his usage was not.
Okonkwo earned a mere four targets, catching three for 19 yards. It was a disappointing debut for Cam Ward, but there were still positives to take away for guys like Calvin Ridley and Elic Ayomanor. Not so much for Okonkwo. You can drop him.
