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 2 get dropped. Here's a look at the most popular players dropped prior to the start of Week 3 games.
All drop numbers are recorded for all Yahoo! fantasy football leagues for Wednesday, September 19.
Quarterback
Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans - 21,865 drops
Locker has been disappointing in his first two weeks as Titans starter. As a whole, the Titans offense has struggled to put points up this season and Locker's numbers have not made him worthy of a start in most fantasy formats. While his Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions may have a different outcome due to their banged-up secondary, Locker is an unreliable play.
Honorable mentions: Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler (21,273 drops), Houston Texans' Matt Schaub (19,671 drops), Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson (19,435 drops)
Running back
Roy Helu, Washington Redskins - 51,522 drops
Still owned by many owners who drafted or added him prior to the start, Helu has been absent in these first two games. With Alfred Morris earning the majority of carries as the starter and Evan Royster apparently serving as the No. 2 back with a few more touches than Helu, the second-year pro out of Nebraska has little fantasy value at this point of the season.
Honorable mentions: Jacksonville Jaguars' Rashad Jennings (50,146 drops), Arizona Cardinals' Ryan Williams (43,584 drops), New York Giants' David Wilson (38,730 drops)
Wide receiver
Robert Meachem, San Diego Chargers - 72,899 drops
Expected to challenge Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates as a top target for Philip Rivers in the Chargers passing game, Meachem has been targeted few times. With only 49 yards in Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders and zero catches in Week 2 against the Titans, Meachem has been unable to produce in San Diego's offense. Like his time with the New Orleans Saints, it is difficult to rely on his production from week-to-week as a boom-or-bust kind of fantasy contributor.
Honorable mentions: New York Jets' Stephen Hill (70,287 drops), Detroit Loins' Titus Young (63,307 drops), Jacksonville Jaguars' Justin Blackmon (59,695 drops)
Tight end
Fred Davis, Washington Redskins - 88,512 drops
Despite rookie Robert Griffin III's success, Davis has not benefited from a new quarterback under center. With only four catches for 58 yards this season, he has not put up the same numbers as what he did during his 2011 breakout season. With potential concussion concerns cleared, he apparently has to block more this season, adding to his dropping fantasy value.
Honorable mentions: Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (67,387 drops), Tennessee Titans' Jared Cook (46,109 drops), Indianapolis Colts' Coby Fleener (40,540 drops)
Kicker
Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys - 45,775 drops
With kickers like Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker starting the season strong and finding their way onto rosters, kickers like Bailey have quickly been thrown to the wayside. After just one extra point made in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, impatient owners have decided to drop a kicker who is still a part of a very good offense. Don't be surprised if the usually reliable Bailey starts to produce later on in the season.
Honorable mentions: Denver Broncos' Matt Prater (42,163 drops), Tennessee Titans' Rob Bironas (40,623 drops), Washington Redskins' Billy Cundiff (22,699 drops)
Team defense
Cincinnati Bengals team defense - 82,430 drops
The Bengals defense has been middling after two games. Facing a Redskins team featuring Griffin and company, the Bengals' Week 3 matchup is one that should be avoided.
Honorable mentions: Oakland Raiders team defense (52,142 drops), New England Patriots team defense (48,191 drops), New York Giants team defense (40,854 drops)
Sources:
Transaction Trends Yesterday All Positions, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Robert Meachem News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
Fred Davis News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 3 Waiver Wire Most-Added Players: Fan's Review
2012 Fantasy Football Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups: Fan's Take
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Top Performers by Position: Fan's Review
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Ten Top-Scoring IDPs: Fan's Review
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Most Surprising Performances: Fan's Take
Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and fantasy football player since 2005. Follow this Featured Contributor on Google+ and Twitter @_austinchang.
