Folks, football moves fast.
With one week comes the next, and just like that, we’ve found ourselves through a quarter of the season in the blink of an eye. While I send my best wishes to your fantasy roster and hope for fruitful repercussions come the end of your campaign, some of you have found yourself scraping to keep yourself afloat early in the year. While your lack of success thus far could be attributed to many things, let’s dive right into a group of players (and two defenses) you shouldn’t hesitate to drop moving forward that should offer some transactional wiggle room.
Robby Anderson, WR, Carolina Panthers
Rostered in more than 84% of leagues, Anderson hasn’t been nearly the pass-catcher Matt Rhule expected him to be with the addition of Sam Darnold in Carolina. Through four games, Anderson has combined for 10 catches, 149 yards, and one touchdown, while his percentage in offensive snaps has dropped slowly since Week 1. Even with Christian McCaffrey on the shelf, Anderson has failed to return to form from last year, in which he enjoyed a career high in all major receiving categories. With the improvement of D.J. Moore, the arrival of Terrace Marshall Jr., and the backfield punch of Chuba Hubbard soon to be joined by McCaffrey, Anderson currently doesn’t warrant a roster spot.
Robert Tonyan, TE, Green Bay Packers
Eight catches in four weeks? Three in the last two? Tonyan was a breakout weapon for Aaron Rodgers’ high-flying Packers passing game last fall, but early this season defenses have made it a priority to take away his game, and he has yet to adjust. While the volume in which Green Bay throws the rock remains enticing, Tonyan currently has no value to occupy your TE spot.
*If you’re looking for a massive sleeper, keep an eye on Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson.
Kenyan Drake, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Used more as a weapon out of the backfield in the pass game, Drake’s value will hit rock bottom if his targets fail to remain consistent. Add in the arrival of Peyton Barber and a soon-to-be healthy Josh Jacobs, and Drake, a back once rostered by more than 90% of all fantasy rosters, should find himself quickly on the waiver wire in your league.
Jonnu Smith, TE, New England Patriots
Through four weeks, Smith has become TE2 in New England behind Hunter Henry. Following a career year last fall in which Smith amassed more than 400 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, he’s recorded just 13 catches through four weeks and has been used more as an extension of the line than as a mismatch in the pass game. Sure he caught a touchdown on Sunday night, but hoping for consistent production may be asking too much with hotter tight end waiver wire pick-ups available.
Washington Football Team/Pittsburgh Steelers (D/ST)
Two of the most widely drafted defenses, if you currently have one of these defensive units rostered, it’s time to cut ties if you haven’t already. Each with their own litany of issues stemming from a lack of punch up front, neither Washington nor Pittsburgh can stop anyone right now. While a defense shouldn’t make or break you winning your matchup—or on a larger scale, your fantasy season—an extra 7-10 points each week doesn’t hurt. If you have the luxury of playing in a league without a transaction limit, focus on matchups instead of headlining names and potential. Consistency is the name of the game in fantasy.
*Defenses to watch in Week 5: NE (@ HOU), TB (vs MIA), DEN (@ PIT), BAL (vs IND)
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