Wednesday is usually the first day in most fantasy football leagues where free agents get snatched up off waivers and players get added from the free agent pool. As players get added off the waiver wire, players who struggled, got hurt, or saw a decreased role in Week 4 get dropped. Here's a look at the most popular players dropped prior to the start of Week 5 games.
All drop numbers are recorded for all Yahoo! fantasy football leagues for Wednesday, October 3.
Quarterback
Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans - 45,877 drops
After injuring himself in Week 4 against the Houston Texans, Locker will not suit up for Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings. Nursing a left shoulder injury, Matt Hasselbeck will start in his place. While he has shown glimpses of success this year, Locker struggles and early-season injury troubles is a big turnoff to owners.
Honorable mentions: Oakland Raiders' Carson Palmer (31,360 drops), Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Josh Freeman (24,007 drops), Minnesota Vikings' Christian Ponder (22,979 drops)
Running back
Tashard Choice, Buffalo Bills - 81,531 drops
If his 15-yard performance in Week 4 against the New England Patriots was not enough of a reason to drop Choice, the full returns of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller will. With their returns, Choice returns to his role as the third running back on the team and will likely see little to no action on the offense unless one or both of them experience a setback.
Honorable mentions: Detroit Lions' Kevin Smith (74,410 drops), New York Giants' Andre Brown (55,321 drops), Kansas City Chiefs' Peyton Hillis (45,867 drops)
Wide receiver
Santonio Holmes, New York Jets - 194,804 drops
The Jets' wide receiver problems continue to occur, as Holmes is the latest receiver to go down with an injury. Unlike Stephen Hill and tight end Dustin Keller, Holmes may not come back this year, as he was placed on injured reserve with a Lisfranc injury. With no chance at returning, for he was not given the return label, Holmes has no business being on fantasy rosters anymore.
Honorable mentions: Carolina Panthers' Brandon LaFell (78,918 drops), New York Giants' Ramses Barden (76,852 drops), Dallas Cowboys' Kevin Ogletree (68,975 drops)
Tight end
Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens - 34,836 drops
Despite 18 catches in the first three games of the season, owners were quick to drop Pitta after a Week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns with zero catches. Targeted fewer times than usual against the Browns, Pitta will likely be a more frequent target in future weeks and remain an important target in the Ravens passing game.
Honorable mentions: Detroit Lions' Brandon Pettigrew (28,983 drops), Denver Broncos' Jacob Tamme (28,048 drops), Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph (25,548 drops)
Kicker
Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys - 125,096 drops
In Week 4, Bailey had another mediocre showing as Tony Romo and the Cowboys struggled against the Chicago Bears defense. Add that the Cowboys are on bye this week and Bailey was a popular cut casualty in fantasy leagues.
Honorable mentions: Detroit Lions' Jason Hanson (109,688 drops), Oakland Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski (69,612 drops), San Diego Chargers' Nate Kaeding (56,239 drops)
Team defense
New York Jets team defense - 96,519 drops
On the wrong end of a 34-0 shutout, the Jets were horrible on both sides of the ball. Particularly struggling against the San Francisco 49ers run game, the Jets head into a Week 5 contest against a Houston Texans offense featuring running back Arian Foster. With the team swirling towards disaster, many owners wanted no part in owning a Jets fantasy option.
Honorable mentions: Dallas Cowboys team defense (69,047 drops), Detroit Lions team defense (59,150 drops), Atlanta Falcons team defense (42,235 drops)
Sources:
Transaction Trends Yesterday All Positions, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Jake Locker News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
Tashard Choice News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
Santonio Holmes News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
Dennis Pitta Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire Most-Added Players: Fan's Review
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 Over/Under Predictions: Fan's Take
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups: Fan's Take
2012 Fantasy Football Week 4 Ten Top-Scoring IDPs: Fan's Review
2012 Fantasy Football Week 4 Top Performers by Position: Fan's Review
Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and fantasy football player since 2005. Follow this Featured Contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
