Fantasy football consistently presents surprises and challenges for managers seeking to optimize their lineups. The waiver wire often features names that rise and fall in relevance each week. Making the right decision about whom to keep or cut can define a successful season. Stay tuned for key recommendations that could impact your fantasy football fortunes this week.
Cut: Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
Rostered: 73%
Ever since Aaron Jones Sr. returned from IR, things have not gone well for Jordan Mason. What was supposed to be a timeshare has turned into a starter/backup situation.
Mason averaged 15 carries per game while Jones was sidelined. He’s averaging 6.4 carries per game since Jones’ return.
Mason has run well the past two weeks. He’s turned 14 carries into 87 total yards. The problem is that it’s not doing anything for fantasy managers. That wouldn’t even be enough if it were one game. But it’s two.
There is still the contingent upside for Mason. If Jones were to go down, Mason would be an RB2 again. But he’s unstartable at the moment. So if you need to drop him, you can.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
Rostered: 59%
Amazingly, a seventh-round rookie who couldn’t earn a combine invite is not actually that good at football. Who could’ve seen that coming?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had his chance to take hold of the Washington Commanders’ backfield. Instead, he followed up his stellar 27-point outing in Week 5 by failing to reach that number in every game since.
Chris Rodriguez is the new starter and lead back. JCM still mixes in, but he’s merely there to ease the burden on Rodriguez. He has no fantasy value anymore.
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JK Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Rostered: 46%
It had been such an excellent season for JK Dobbins serving as the Denver Broncos’ lead back. Now, it’s over.
Dobbins sustained a significant foot injury two weeks ago on an uncalled illegal hip drop tackle. The Broncos placed Dobbins on IR ahead of Week 11 and ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
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There is some hope he might be able to play if Denver makes the Super Bowl, but that fact does not matter for fantasy purposes. Dobbins can be safely dropped.
Nick Chubb, Houston Texans
Rostered: 45%
Game script is no longer a factor in the Houston Texans’ backfield. Rightfully so, the team has seen enough of Nick Chubb. This is Woody Marks’ backfield.
Chubb is averaging 4.1 fantasy points per game over his last six. He’s failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in any of them.
On Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills, Chubb carried the ball six times for 16 yards and caught one pass for -1 yards.
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Chubb scored in Week 2 and Week 5. Outside of those two games, he’s failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in any contest. He hasn’t done nearly enough to justify a continued spot on fantasy rosters outside of deep leagues.
