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 running backs find themselves on our Week 12 fantasy football cut list based on roster percentages from Yahoo? We take a closer look below.
If you’re looking for all other positions, head over to our Week 13 Fantasy Cut List, which covers quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end.
Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos (86%)
I have no idea what to make of the Denver Broncos backfield. Since Week 5, Javonte Williams has alternated a useable fantasy performance with a wasted one. The touches seem to change weekly with no rhyme or reason.
In Week 10, Sean Payton committed to getting rookie Audric Estimé more touches. As a result, Williams had one carry and two targets.
In Week 11, it was back to the Williams show. Javonte totaled 87 yards and a touchdown on 14 opportunities. Then, this past week, Williams carried the ball eight times for negative two yards.
At this point, I don’t know how you can trust Williams. He’s not a must-drop, but he can be dropped if you need to.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (83%)
There are certainly fantasy managers out there who thought Tank Bigsby’s absence would lead to some sort of improvement from Travis Etienne Jr. I was not one of them, putting Etienne on the sit list (and cut list) before the Jacksonville Jaguars’ bye, despite the expectation that Bigsby wouldn’t play.
The Jaguars never had a chance going into Detroit with Mac Jones at quarterback. It was an awful matchup for Etienne, but that doesn’t excuse his horrid performance. On several occasions, Etienne turned something into nothing, making what should’ve been a five-to-seven-yard rush into a two-yard rush.
Etienne’s 6.3 fantasy points against the Detroit Lions marked his highest total since Week 5. The Jaguars are past their bye but now have consecutive games against very good run defenses.
It can be difficult to drop your second-round pick, even this late in the season, with this large of a sample size. However, Etienne has been one of the worst players in the NFL at any position this season. Please drop him.
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (39%)
If Etienne is a drop, how can Bigsby also be a drop? Welcome to the 2024 Jaguars. Neither of these backs has any fantasy value.
Etienne took the RB1 role back from Bigsby three weeks ago. Then, Bigsby picked up an ankle injury that cost him Week 11.
As a handcuff to Etienne, Bigsby’s upside in a Jones-led offense is minimal. With no role in the passing game, Bigsby would be a touchdown-dependent RB2 on an offense that can’t score. Even if Trevor Lawrence returns, my confidence in Bigsby is a zero.
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers (43%)
One of the most dropped players across ESPN and Sleeper leagues over the past week, Jordan Mason has completely reverted to handcuff status upon Christian McCaffrey’s return.
Once an 80% snap share player, Mason has played a total of 14 snaps in the three games McCaffrey has played. It goes without saying that there is absolutely nothing here for fantasy unless McCaffrey gets hurt again.
You can hang onto Mason as the CMC handcuff if you have the roster spot, but don’t feel like you need to.
Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants (46%)
Devin Singletary scored the New York Giants’ lone touchdown against Tampa Bay, mostly because Tyrone Tracy Jr. was benched for fumbling (his second consecutive game with a fumble).
It seems improbable that the Giants would punish Tracy for the fumble beyond what they did in this particular game. They are playing out a lost season and have no reason to turn away from their talented rookie.
Singletary touched the ball all of four times against the Bucs, compared to 13 for Tracy. This is not a timeshare. Singletary remains a handcuff, but he doesn’t need to remain on rosters.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins (65%)
Since Tua Tagovailoa returned, there’s been a clear shift in the Miami Dolphins backfield. Raheem Mostert has handled a total of five carries over his last three games, scoring 5.4, -0.2, and 1.2 fantasy points in those contests.
De’Von Achane has completely taken over as the clear RB1. Meanwhile, rookie Jaylen Wright has been playing ahead of Mostert as the RB2.
It’s hard to find a reason to continue rostering Mostert in fantasy.