As the season wears on, this list will feature more name brand players that you may have trouble letting go. Peyton Manning owners remember all too well how a big name can derail an entire season if you refuse to accept that he simply no longer has value. The names on this list no longer have fantasy value.
Each week from now until the end of the season, I’ll be offering my thoughts on players who don’t deserve to keep a roster spot on your fantasy football teams. Below are my Week 9 cuts and drops for fantasy football.
Let's get to it.
Featured Promo: Get any full-season NFL Premium Pass for 50% off and win big in 2022. Exclusive access to our Premium articles, 15 lineup tools, new Team Sync platform, Lineup Optimizer, Premium DFS tools and cheat sheets, and much more! Sign Up Now!
Players to Consider Dropping or Replacing
Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)
I don't want to belabor the point on Matt Ryan too much, but another week, another middling performance. He's the bye week replacement option - not the guy you need to replace on byes. I would rather Jared Goff rest of season.
Tyrell Williams (WR, LAC)
When his employment rate dips below 50%, I'll stop mentioning him. In the last four weeks, his highest PPR output is 3.7 fantasy points. He has three games with just a single reception. His snap count is dropping as he is usurped by the likes of Travis Benjamin and Mike Williams. Tyrell capped off his lost season last week with a pair of drops on admittedly not easy catches, but ones he needs to make. It is over.
Willie Snead (WR, NO)
I'm not quite sure why his ownership percentage was ever so high. He was a WR3 not playing the first three games of the season, which was already a problem. He returned from suspension to injury and then barely played in his return to action week 6. Drew Brees does not care about Willie Snead and neither should you.
Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT)
Come on now. Do I really need to explain this one?
Marshawn Lynch (RB, OAK)
The Raiders lost on Sunday, but don't blame the running backs even in Marshawn Lynch's absence. Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington were just fine, as they have been all season in Lynch's stead. Lynch is finished and is never going to see the volume he needs to be relevant. He's just a better version of Mike Gillislee at this point. And you never want to be compared to Mike Gillislee.
Rob Kelley (RB, WAS)
Chris Thompson is the main back in Washington. Rob Kelley is competing with Eddie Lacy for worst RB on an NFL roster. Wait, Paul Perkins is still on the Giants' roster right? Okay, they're competing for second. How Jay Gruden gives the ball to Kelley eight times is unfathomable. Kelley is coming off his best fantasy game of the season where he scored his first touchdown of 2017. He managed 7.9 fantasy points. That's your ceiling for Rob Kelley.
Zach Miller (TE, CHI)
Zach Miller suffered an unimaginably awful knee injury on Sunday. His season is over. His career is over. Best case scenario at this point is he ultimately regains full use of his leg, assuming doctors can save it.
Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)
I'm done.