Drop these players to improve your fantasy playoff roster with waiver adds
By Jennifer Eakins, 4for4
Special to Yahoo Sports
Our time in fantasy land is dwindling and it's all systems go for postseason play. Squads need to be trimmed of all the fat and what-ifs so they are streamlined for success over these next few weeks.
Below is a look at some players who can be dropped and sent packing as we head down the stretch of both the NFL and fantasy seasons. (Here's a list of players I suggested to stash before the playoffs started.)
Jerry Jeudy, WR – Broncos (86% rostered on Yahoo)
Last week I put teammate Courtland Sutton in this column citing Jerry Jeudy as the only Broncos pass-catcher worth rostering. It appears Jeudy’s drop time has also come as the 22-year-old landed in WR purgatory yet again — WR51 on the week with a disappointing 7.2 half-PPR points. Jeudy has not posted a double-digit fantasy output since Week 1, as Denver relies on a very efficient ground game and solid defense.
The Broncos’ remaining schedule isn’t the easiest for the WR position, and Jeudy is too risky to rely on in win-or-go-home scenarios. Replace him with a wideout in a better spot like K.J. Osborn or DeVante Parker.
Darnell Mooney, WR – Bears (78% rostered on Yahoo)
This is a tough one and I understand if you’re not willing to let Darnell Mooney go, but things aren’t looking great for him fantasy-wise down the stretch. With Justin Fields back at the helm, Mooney took a decent step back in Week 14, with just five targets thrown his way, resulting in one catch for 19 yards.
The Bears’ remaining schedule is a mixed bag with contests against the Vikings, Seahawks and Giants in the next three weeks, who rank 32nd, first, and 21st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points per contest to the WR position this season. Mooney falls in the boom-or-bust category moving forward, so if you want more consistency to make it through the playoff gauntlet, let him go.
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Matt Breida, RB – Bills (18% rostered on Yahoo)
We should have known better than to pick up and get excited about a Buffalo RB, but these are some tough times at the position. Matt Breida gave us some serviceable performances in Weeks 10-12, with 172 combined yards and three touchdowns, but he has just 15 rushing yards on four carries, and one catch for five yards in his past two contests.
With no more bye weeks and difficult opponents in the Panthers and Patriots on tap in their next two tilts, Breida’s appeal even as a flex player is non-existent.
Foster Moreau, TE – Raiders (20% rostered on Yahoo)
In the two weeks filling in for an injured Darren Waller, Foster Moreau was a non-factor in both fantasy and real-life football. His total line of 4-47-0 was good (or bad) enough for TE34 numbers in that time frame, which is not doing rosters any favors.
Even if Waller is unable to suit up again this week, there are better options on more productive offenses at TE out there, like Tyler Conklin or even Austin Hooper.
Derrick Henry, RB – Titans (84% rostered on Yahoo)
With official word the star RB will likely be back for the real NFL playoffs or Week 18 at the earliest, it’s time to finally let go of your first-rounder in favor of someone who may actually contribute this season.
Of course, if you play in a league that has a championship in Week 18 or you have Derrick Henry safely stowed in an I.R. spot and can’t bring yourself to hit that drop button, it’s understandable to hang on. However, if I.R. isn't an option and you need to win to advance, Henry can be dropped for someone like Rashaad Penny or Rhamondre Stevenson, just close your eyes when you click.
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Almost Droppable: James Robinson, RB – Jaguars (98% rostered on Yahoo)
James Robinson has been brutal over the past few weeks with limited touches and inefficient output. Some of it can be blamed on the circus surrounding the Jaguars, so he gets a pass for one more week, considering Jacksonville's Week 15 opponent is the Texans, plus the RB position is devoid of healthy bodies to start this late in the season.
This article originally appeared in its full form on 4for4.com
A proud alumna of the UGA Grady College of Journalism, Jennifer Eakins has been working in the sports industry for well over a decade. She has had stints with CNN Sports, the Atlanta Hawks and the Colorado Rockies. Her first fantasy football draft took place in 1996 where she selected Ricky Watters with the first overall pick, and she has been a fantasy degenerate ever since.
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