The volatile nature of NFL player production makes the risk of dropping anyone who is on the fringe of rosterability more than zero percent. Matt Ryan‘s name was on our Cut List in week 3. But as a warning, he was considered a hold for last week’s edition, just in case we’d seen his worst and you still hadn’t hit the “drop” button.
Ryan redeemed his first horrendous performance against the Jaguars by putting up the overall QB2 performance against those same Jaguars. Granted, Michael Pittman was healthy this time, and the Colts leaned heavily on the pass with Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines inactive, with Ryan throwing 58 times.
Even if this was Ryan’s best fantasy performance of 2022, he’s going to cost more FAAB than before if you dropped him and want him back.
It’s especially risky dropping players tied to high-powered offenses, as a few of these players are, but no matter how well a team’s offense is, these players have not been significant enough contributors to create high-powered fantasy rosters.
Roster percentages are NFL.com, Yahoo, and ESPN.
MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING (26.6%, 42%, 59%)
Despite playing at least a nice 69% snap share in every game this year, MVS has one game above 7.8 half PPR points. Tack on a reception-less, three-target game against the Bills in Week 6, and it’s getting impossible to see where fantasy relevance is going come from at this point.
TYLER CONKLIN (44.4%, 27%, 34%)
C.J. Uzomah has slightly out-snapped (68% to 67%) and out-targeted (four to three) Conklin since returning in Week 5. Adding to that, the Jets have leaned on the run more (Breece Hall‘s emergence), an understandable strategy as Zach Wilson continues to find stable footing. It’s a strategy that’s making people wonder if there are any startable Jets wide receivers, too.
GET THE SCISSORS READY
RUSSELL GAGE (61.3%, 33%, 42%)
With Chris Godwin returning to form, Gage hasn’t been fantasy relevant outside of a 12-catch performance in Week 3 before Godwin returned. Assuming Julio Jones can’t stay healthy enough to take over the WR3 role from Gage (a fairly safe assumption), the WR3 role on a Brady-led offense still might not be enough anyway. It may get hard not to chase upside elsewhere instead of waiting for more opportunities for Gage in case the injury bug hits Tampa’s receiving core again and he slides into a WR2 role.
ROMEO DOUBS (48.1%, 64%, 61%)
After Week 3’s breakout performance, Doubs has not been able to replicate that effort, including total duds the past two weeks, and Allen Lazard holding down alpha-WR duties. Even with Randall Cobb set to miss some time, a continued lack of production could decrease Romeo’s snaps and be given to other guys when their health permits them, like Christian Watson or Sammy Watkins — who’s close to returning from IR.
A GOOD PERFORMANCE, BUT STILL ON THE WATCH LIST
ALLEN ROBINSON (53.9%, 66%, 63%)
A-Rob caught a season-high five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown to outscore Cooper Kupp for the first time this season. Hopefully, this isn’t a smokescreen similar to his Week 2 performance. If Odell Beckham Jr. ever gets that “Michael Gallup” deal (or I guess close to it) from L.A., that gives Robinson another reason to foster a well-established rapport with Matthew Stafford if he’s going to continue to be in at least the FLEX conversation. If he can show up in Week 8 against the 49ers, after the Rams’ bye week, he can take a Cut List vacation, for one week at least.
