Fantasy football managers are hitting the point in the season where tough roster decisions can make or break playoff hopes. Some once-promising names have failed to deliver despite heavy usage earlier in the year. Others continue to disappoint even in favorable matchups. If you’re considering a roster shake-up, a few familiar faces might be the ones to cut loose.
Cut: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Rostered: 81%
Upon further review, same old Kyle Pitts. The former first-round pick has not improved. He just had a couple of games where he saw some volume.
We are now through 11 weeks, and Pitts has a total of four games with double-digit fantasy points, something he hasn’t accomplished since Week 8.
Against the Carolina Panthers, Pitts commanded just three targets, catching two for 14 yards. The one he didn’t catch was a very bad drop.
Drake London is likely to miss time with his knee injury, but that doesn’t even move the needle. With Kirk Cousins set to start in place of an injured Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons playing out a lost season, there’s little incentive to roster anyone on this team outside of London and Bijan Robinson.
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Rostered: 76%
It’s astounding how dismal T.J. Hockenson’s production has been. To be fair, everything about the Minnesota Vikings offense is down this season compared to last year. It may not entirely be Hockenson’s fault.
Regardless of the reason, the numbers do not paint a pretty picture. Hockenson has not caught more than three passes in a game since Week 7. He’s hit double-digit fantasy points just twice all season.
A distant third option in the passing game behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, JJ McCarthy simply isn’t good enough to feed all three. You may not have a better option, but if you do, don’t feel compelled to hold Hockenson.
Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
Rostered: 48%
It’s impressive how Evan Engram manages to do just enough to convince unwitting fantasy managers he might be worth something. Outside of his flukey touchdown reception in Week 5, Engram hasn’t hit double-digit fantasy points this season.
Engram has 17 total targets across his last three games. He’s posted lines of 4-36, 0-0, 2-12, and 4-33. There is no fantasy upside here whatsoever.
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Fantasy Football Roster Decisions That Could Save Your Season
Fantasy football is a game of patience, but it’s also a game of timing. Managers holding onto names like Pitts, Hockenson, or Engram hoping for a turnaround may be better served moving on before the playoffs arrive.
Pitts continues to frustrate despite every opportunity, while Hockenson’s role has shrunk in a struggling Vikings passing attack. Engram remains a low-ceiling option with no real path to consistent production.
At this stage in the season, trusting volume without results is a losing strategy. Fantasy leagues are won by those who adapt, not those who wait on what once could have been.
It’s time to prioritize reliability over reputation and chase the players trending up rather than clinging to those trending down. The smart manager makes the hard cuts now — because in fantasy football, hesitation is the difference between a trophy and an early exit.
