Fantasy football managers are constantly evaluating their rosters, searching for the right balance between upside and reliability. Week 2 brings the first major wave of difficult decisions as early-season performances separate the wheat from the chaff.
While some players deserve patience despite slow starts, others have shown enough red flags to warrant immediate roster reconsideration. Here are the fantasy football players you should consider cutting loose as we head into the second week of the season.
Cut: 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.
READ MORE: Fantasy Football Cut List Week 2: Jerome Ford, Rachaad White, Marvin Mims Jr., and Others
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.
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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.
