The fantasy football landscape is constantly shifting, and making the right roster decisions can be the difference between playoff contention and missing out entirely. Every week brings new opportunities to improve your team, whether that means cutting underperforming players or picking up emerging talent from the waiver wire.
Smart managers know that holding onto big names who are no longer producing can be a costly mistake. Sometimes the hardest decisions are also the most necessary ones for long-term success.
Cut: Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Rostered: 36%
To say Geno Smith has misplayed would be a monumental understatement. It’s been so bad that there is a legitimate chance he gets benched for Kenny Pickett.
Outside of Week 3 in pure garbage time against the Washington Commanders, Smith has no games of 19+ fantasy points. Meanwhile, he has two games in single digits.
Smith has thrown six touchdowns against a league-leading nine interceptions. Brock Bowers is likely out through the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 8 bye. The schedule is not easy. It’s hard to see a spot where Smith would be worth starting.
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders
Rostered: 77%
A bunch of tight ends emerged as viable starting options in Week 5. We saw huge games from A.J. Barner, Mason Taylor, and Darren Waller.
On the other side of the spectrum is Zach Ertz. His 6-84-1 line from Week 2 seems so long ago. Since then, he’s posted games of 3-38, 4-21, and 0-0.
Ertz is old and trending in the wrong direction. Barner, Taylor, and Young are trending in the right direction. All three of them are superior options, and all are mostly available. You don’t absolutely have to drop Ertz, but if you can claim one of the tight ends who emerged last week to replace Ertz, do it.
Fantasy Football Mid-Season Adjustments: Trading Past Production for Future Playoff Potential
The fantasy football season demands constant roster evaluation, and these decisions become even more critical as we approach the midpoint. Smith’s struggles highlight how quickly quarterback situations can deteriorate, making monitoring backup options and streaming alternatives weekly essential.
The tight end position exemplifies the volatility that defines fantasy football. While Ertz appeared to be a reliable option early in the season, his recent performances demonstrate why managers must stay aggressive on the waiver wire. The emergence of players like Barner, Taylor, and Waller creates opportunities for savvy managers willing to make tough cuts.
READ MORE: Fantasy Football Cut List Week 6: Joe Mixon, Braelon Allen, Darius Slayton, and Others
Successful fantasy management requires recognizing when past production no longer predicts future success. Holding onto recognizable names like Smith and Ertz might feel safe, but it often prevents managers from capitalizing on emerging talent. The key is balancing patience with players with established track records against the upside potential of rising contributors who could provide the edge needed for playoff positioning.
