It is hard to believe we are already in Week 5 of the 2024 fantasy football season, but time flies when we are having fun… are we having fun, though?
Fantasy Football Week 5 Cut List
TE Mark Andrews (BAL; 95% rostered on Sleeper; 97% on Yahoo)
There are ups, downs, and mehs to every rhythm of each fantasy season, but it is hard not to question the skyfall of Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews this season. Since 2019 (Andrews’ second season in the league), he has posted TE4, TE7, TE1, TE4, and TE13 season finishes. Keep in mind, Andrews only played 10 games last season, explaining his lower comparable finish.
Coming into 2024, not a soul questioned Mark Andrews’s season-long value. There was a slight dip in ADP and general concern when Andrews was involved in a car accident on August 14th, but that concern has since subsided and been put to rest.
However, “Mandrews,” as his fans call him, seems almost non-existent this season. His highest performance came in Week 2, registering four catches for 51 yards (63% of snaps played). If this says anything, Andrews has registered six catches for 65 yards on the season collectively, ten receptions fewer than teammate Justice Hill (A RUNNING BACK!!).
To make matters worse, and probably spell the end of Andrews’ reign on your fantasy team, Ravens HC John Harbaugh introduced (a week ago) the reality of a tight end rotation each week, and that “snap counts will vary according to the team’s game plan.” Initially, holding Andrews for another game was not a bad idea. After back-to-back weeks under 50% snap share (33% WK3 and 46% WK4), it is now safe to drop Mark Andrews.
Action: drop Mark Andrews; pick up TEs Tucker Kraft (GB – 8%; 5%), Cade Otton (TB – 18%; 15%), or Tyler Conklin (NYJ – 36%; 35%)
RB Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs (70% Sleeper; 61% Yahoo)
It wasn’t long ago when we were introduced to Kansas City’s new doll in the backfield. Carson Steele’s basis for a mainstay on your roster was volume, as is the case for many undervalued players in fantasy football; however, the Chiefs elevated RB Kareem Hunt to the active roster prior to Sunday’s game against the Chargers, and Hunt took full advantage of his opportunities.
Hunt finished RB28 in PPR in Week 4, rushing for 69 yards on 14 carries, and hauled in two of three targets for 16 yards. Though only playing 45% of snaps, Hunt led the Chiefs backfield in touches, and this was likely only a ramp-up workload for him.
Star teammate Rashee Rice is out indefinitely, and Isiah Pacheco is not expected to return for another four weeks at minimum. Carson Steele saw a dismal snap share of 18% in Week 4, quite a steep drop-off from 62% last week. It certainly doesn’t help that Steele has fumbled twice to begin his career, and that teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire is expected to be activated from IR this week. T
This is your green light to cut Carson Steele, and actively pursue high-upside waiver wire candidates.
Action: cut Carson Steele; pick up WR Dontayvion Wicks (GB – 18%; 14%), WR Josh Downs (IND – 28%; 21%)
Other Notable Cuts
WR Alec Pierce (IND – 35%; 34%): Though Pierce has played no lower than 77% of snaps in a game, he has seen three or fewer targets in three out of his four games, and Anthony Richardson’s playing status is up in the air. If Flacco plays, fade Pierce and upgrade Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.
RB Gus Edwards (LAC – 47%; 46%): This seems like a no-brainer, but seeing Gus rostered in nearly half of all fantasy leagues is pretty surprising to me. Gus faced favorable Raiders and Panthers run defenses in Weeks 1 and 2; his max volume was 18 carries (for 59 yards), and a whopping RB41 finish on the week. Gus has seen one target and is obviously not a receiving threat out of the backfield. His best-case scenario is facing a bottom-5 run defense in the league, which he has already faced… and produced a ceiling of RB41. It is time to cut ties (literally).
Others: WR Gabe Davis (JAX – 39%; 27%); RB Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN – 28%; 22%); WR Adonai Mitchell (IND – 29%; 12%).
As always, be sure to check out The Wolf’s Week 5 Rankings and Rest of Season Rankings!
