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 players find themselves on our Week 14 fantasy football cut list?
All roster percentages are taken from Yahoo.
What Quarterbacks Should You Cut in Week 14?
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (36%)
Making his return after a two-game absence, Trevor Lawrence was not playing particularly well before his day ended early with just 41 passing yards after he was the victim of a dirty hit.
Lawrence immediately went to the locker room where he was diagnosed with a concussion. He was already playing through a significant left shoulder injury that realistically could have ended his season.
Now almost certain to miss more time, and with the Jacksonville Jaguars out of playoff contention, it seems unlikely Lawrence will play again this year.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons (59%)
Overall, it’s been a very impressive rebound for Kirk Cousins coming off a torn Achilles. Yet, he entered Week 13 averaging a career-low 15.2 fantasy points per game. The reality is it’s been so much worse.
Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cousins has posted games of 35.36 and 28.64 fantasy points. Thus, against Tampa Bay, he’s the best fantasy QB in history.
Against everyone else, though, Cousins was averaging 11.4 fantasy ppg. That’s even lower after his complete meltdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, throwing more touchdowns to the other team than his own. When he’s not facing the Bucs, he’s the worst quarterback in fantasy. The Bucs are not on the schedule anymore. Drop Cousins.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans (95%)
Words cannot describe how floored I was to find out C.J. Stroud is rostered in 95% of Yahoo leagues. I understand he had one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time, but this is not 2023 anymore.
We are through 13 weeks of the season and Stroud has one game with more than 20 fantasy points. The Texans are on bye in Week 14, meaning Stroud can’t help (or hurt) you next week.
If you hold onto him, Stroud can give you three more starts against each of the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. That Ravens matchup is juicy, but you have to get there first. Plus, he just had a juicy matchup against the Jaguars and completely flopped. There’s just no reason to expect a turnaround at this point.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams (64%)
With Matthew Stafford, it all comes down to how the Los Angeles Rams score their touchdowns. Against the New Orleans Saints this week, Stafford actually threw two of them. Yet, he still didn’t reach 16 fantasy points. That’s what happens when a quarterback offers nothing on the ground.
Each of Stafford’s four remaining matchups is against a defense that ranks top 10 against the pass. You can start him if you need to, but you also don’t need to hold onto him if you’re not using him.
What Running Backs Should You Cut in Week 14?
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders (70%)
Two weeks ago, Austin Ekeler suffered his second concussion of the season. As is often the case with second concussions, this one comes with a longer recovery time.
The Washington Commanders placed Ekeler on IR, which sidelines him for four games, not four weeks. That distinction is key, as the Commanders have a Week 14 bye. That means Ekeler cannot return until Week 18, thus, ending his fantasy season.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (81%)
The comeback story of J.K. Dobbins is easily one of the best of the season. Unfortunately, the oft-injured running back is … injured.
Dobbins is on injured reserve (IR) with a sprained MCL. The earliest he can return is Week 17 — the last week of the fantasy football season.
So many things have to go right for Dobbins to provide fantasy managers with one more game. First, he has to return when first eligible, which is no guarantee. Second, you have to make it to the championship. Third, you have to overcome the trend this season of players being limited in their first game back after an extended absence.
In fact, I think dropping Dobbins is actually a strategically savvy move, as he is more likely to be a poison pill for an unwitting foe.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (83%)
It is encouraging to see Travis Etienne Jr.’s roster percentage decline a bit. Fantasy managers are starting to figure it out.
Etienne has performed like one of the worst running backs in the NFL. Starters. Backups. Sincere McCormick was not active for the first two years of his career and immediately had as productive of a game (12-64-0) against the No. 1 run defense in the NFL as any Etienne has had this season (season-best 68 yards came on Sept. 23).
The last time Etienne hit double-digit fantasy points was back in Week 5. Even though he’s regained the clear RB1 job for the Jaguars ahead of Tank Bigsby, it doesn’t matter. He’s simply not good enough. Let’s see if that roster percentage continues to decline.
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (45%)
Yes, both running backs on the Jaguars can be dropped. This is one of the worst offenses in the NFL. They are constantly trailing and thus throwing. Tank Bigsby is a front-running running back. He needs a lead and to be able to run downhill. That’s not happening in Jacksonville.
Bigsby touched the ball eight times against the Houston Texans, totaling 35 yards. He’s now scored 2.2 and 4.5 fantasy points in his last two full games. With Mac Jones presumably starting the remainder of the season, it’s unlikely the Jaguars win another game. That means more Etienne and less Bigsby. You’re never starting him.
Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason, RBs, San Francisco 49ers (99% and 41%)
Everyone watching Sunday Night Football saw Christian McCaffrey go down. After, the game Kyle Shanahan confirmed it was a PCL injury that would likely end McCaffrey’s season. He’s since been placed on IR.
According to Adam Schefter, the injury isn’t too bad, but it does carry a six-week recovery period. McCaffrey will not play again this season. Sorry for all of you who held him for three months only to get three games out of him.
While McCaffrey’s injury was apparent to everyone, I have no idea what happened to Jordan Mason, but apparently, he sprained his ankle at some point. He was placed on IR alongside McCaffrey.
Kyle Shanahan said that Christian McCaffrey did injure his PCL and it is a 6-week recovery. His season now looks like it’s over.
49ers RB Jordan Mason suffered an ankle injury and also is being placed on injured reserve.
Two lost RBs. pic.twitter.com/tqxjJdKKrN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
High-ankle sprains typically carry a 4-6 week recovery period. Given that Mason is already on IR, it’s safe to say he’s not coming back either. You can cancel all of those waiver claims and pivot to dropping the hammer on Isaac Guerendo.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins (56%)
The Dolphins have pretty clearly moved on from Raheem Mostert. He has a mere two games all season with double-digit fantasy points but hasn’t hit that threshold since Week 8. Mostert also hasn’t carried the ball more than five times since Week 9.
De’Von Achane is the clear RB1 and Jaylen Wright has taken over as the primary backup. At 32 years old, it appears to be over for Mostert as an impact NFL player.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (78%)
I will admit to expecting the snap share to be more even between Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. Instead, it was Hunt at 38% and Pacheco at 37%, plus a healthy dose of Samaje Perine at 23%.
This should consolidate more as Pacheco gets reacclimated to playing football. But either way, it’s not good for Hunt.
In his last chance to prove he deserves a meaningful role, Hunt managed 15 yards on seven carries. I firmly expect his touch count to be even lower next week. If Perine remains the passing-down back, then Hunt will barely play.
If you want to hang onto Hunt as a Pacheco handcuff, that’s perfectly fine, but he has no stand-alone value and can be dropped if you need to.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans (39%)
Since Week 4, Tyjae Spears has played a total of four games. He’s scored a combined 13.9 fantasy points. If you were able to get all four of his most recent games in one lineup for one week, it would still merely be a mid-RB2.
Returning after a one-game absence due to a concussion, Spears carried the ball once for three yards. Despite an extremely negative game script from the jump, Spears wasn’t targeted at all. He ran just nine routes to Tony Pollard’s 22.
This is not a timeshare. Spears, at best, is a tenuous handcuff. There is absolutely no stand-alone value here.
Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants (44%)
Here is another player you don’t absolutely have to drop. If Tyrone Tracy Jr. were to miss time, Devin Singletary would return to the clear RB1 role. But unless that happens, he has no fantasy value.
Singletary carried the ball seven times for 23 yards against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. That’s it. That’s the entirety of his stat line. He hasn’t hit double-digit fantasy points since Week 3. Singletary is nothing more than a low-upside handcuff.
What Wide Receivers Should You Cut in Week 14?
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers (98%)
Every week, I get a bunch of questions in the PFN Discord about whether to start Deebo Samuel Sr. or [insert player here]. My answer, every time without fail, is the exact same: “Never Deebo.” It doesn’t matter who the other player is. All that matters is that the player you start isn’t Samuel.
One of the most difficult aspects of fantasy football is accepting that a brand name no longer has value. Samuel has been one of the most dynamic players in the NFL for the past half-decade. He was a second-round pick in 2024 fantasy drafts. But it’s over.
Samuel has been playing like one of the worst big-name receivers in recent weeks. Samuel hasn’t scored since Week 6. Over that span, he’s scored 12.6 fantasy points twice. That represents the best he can do for fantasy managers — high WR4 value.
From Weeks 11-13, Samuel has scored a total of 13.2 fantasy points. His highest receiving yardage mark over that span is 22 yards. Are you really about to trust this guy in the fantasy playoffs? I’m certainly not.
Drop him. Let someone else pick him up and start him, and then hope you play that team and Samuel gives them his usual four fantasy points, contributing to your victory.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (43%)
From Weeks 9-11, Quentin Johnston scored in every game. That created a mirage, making him appear like an ascending fantasy asset. In reality, it was really just one long touchdown on broken coverage against the Cleveland Browns in Week 9. Aside from that, Johnston did a whole lot of nothing.
The sophomore has posted receiving lines of 24, 48, zero, and 12 over his last four. He somehow has six touchdowns on 22 receptions. If you want to chase the touchdowns, go for it. Otherwise, send him back to the waiver wire.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers (24%)
One of the most dropped players in Sleeper leagues, Ricky Pearsall’s time in the sun has come and gone. He’s now seen a total of three targets over his last three games, catching none of them.
The rookie may be talented, but there’s no room in a crowded San Francisco 49ers offense for him to thrive. Perhaps next year.
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans (91%)
Is Tank Dell a good football player? I thought so. After this year, I’m really not sure. What I am sure about is he no longer belongs on fantasy rosters and really hasn’t all season.
Even while Nico Collins was out, Dell didn’t exactly do much. He was better but averaged only 11.8 fantasy points per game. Those numbers are good enough to stash on your bench in case you need a desperation start but nothing more. With Collins on the field, though, it’s been a disaster. Dell is averaging 8.3 ppg with Collins active. What exactly are we supposed to do with that?
Tank Dell in Week 13:
4 targets
119 air yards (29.8-yard aDOT)
3.3 PPR points 🙃 pic.twitter.com/up3ZUv5NLD— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) December 2, 2024
The Texans have a bye this week and then get the Dolphins’ top-five pass defense. Sure, the Ravens in Week 17 look mighty appealing, but you have to get there first. Plus, Dell just caught one pass for 23 yards against the third-worst pass defense in the league. So, is there really anything to be excited about?
What Tight Ends Should You Cut in Week 14?
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears (46%)
Ever since the Chicago Bears moved on from Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, Cole Kmet has been the clear primary tight end. He’s on the field and running routes. So, if you want to roll the dice on him, you can. But you don’t need to.
Kmet still hasn’t really done much recently. He’s caught three passes or fewer in three of his last four. Only his 13.4 fantasy points against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12 were helpful for fantasy managers.
The Bears’ remaining schedule consists exclusively of teams that defend the tight end well. Kmet is not a must-roster player.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (82%)
The entirety of Cade Otton’s fantasy value stemmed from Mike Evans and Chris Godwin going down. Baker Mayfield had no one else to throw to. With Evans back, Otton has returned to being an afterthought.
Since Evans returned, Otton has scored a total of 10 fantasy points across two games. His most recent dud came against the No. 32 team at defending tight ends. If he can’t pop against the Carolina Panthers, then his matchup clearly doesn’t matter. It was a great run, but now it’s over.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints (71%)
This one is a massive bummer. Taysom Hill is such a fun player. He’s truly one of a kind. Now, at 34 years old, there’s a decent chance he never returns to his same level of athleticism.
Hill tore his ACL in the Saints’ loss to the Rams. It’s the worst possible ending for the best season of the gadget man’s career. We can only hope he’s able to make it back and still be effective. Obviously, he can be dropped in fantasy leagues.