The NFL season is officially back, and with that comes managing your fantasy football team. One of the most important aspects in fantasy football is working the waiver wire. There are plenty of players you will want to add to your squad throughout the season. But for every player you add, you must drop a player as well. Dropping the wrong player is extremely detrimental to your team and, honestly, your feelings! After Week 1, here are some players you should hold onto and cut ties with.
DROP
Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten – RBs, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars’ backfield was unpredictable before the season started. Fantasy managers drafted the likes of Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, and the rookie Bhayshul Tuten. Week 1 put to bed any questions about who the starter is in the backfield. Etienne recorded 16 carries for 143 rushing yards and added 3 catches for 13 yards. The former Clemson Tiger looked more like the 2023 version of Etienne than the 2024 version.
After being listed as a “Co-starter” before Week 1, there was some optimism that Bigsby would take over the 1st and 2nd down role for the Jaguars. Bigsby finished Week 1 with only 5 carries for 12 yards and no receptions to add.
Tuten was a sleeper for some in fantasy drafts this past August. A path to becoming the team’s main 3rd down back makes sense; however, after Week 1, it was fellow rookie running back LeQuint Allen who took on the 3rd down role today. Allen played 8/12 3rd down snaps for the Jaguars today.
Chris Rodriguez – RB, Washington Commanders
The Commanders sent fantasy managers into a frenzy when they released their Week 1 depth chart and had fantasy darling Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt listed as the fourth running back. Chris Rodriguez was added in leagues due to the panic over the depth chart news. In Week 1, Croskey-Merritt and the Commanders proved just how truthful depth charts really are by stomping the New York Giants en route to a 21-6 victory.
Croskey-Merritt was the team’s leading rusher with 10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, proving that the Commanders’ backfield will be split between him and Austin Ekeler. Rodriguez was a healthy scratch for Week 1 and will most likely continue to be a healthy inactive barring any injuries.
Dameon Pierce – RB, Houston Texans
Much like Chris Rodriguez, there was optimism that Dameon Pierce could secure a lead role in the absence of Joe Mixon. That was not the case on Sunday, where Pierce finished the game with 3 carries for 5 yards. Nick Chubb (spoiler alert) was the team’s lead back and will continue to be in Mixon’s absence.
Fantasy managers should be free to drop Pierce, as he was the team’s third running back involved. Dare Ogunbowale was the team’s third-down back, taking 17 snaps, leaving Pierce with next to no playing time.
KEEP
Cam Skattebo – RB, New York Giants
Week 1 was not a pretty sight for any Giants players. Running back Cam Skattebo got his first NFL carries today, and they were not as memorable as he would have liked. Skattebo finished his debut with 2 carries for -3 yards. While it was an atrocious display from the Giants’ offense, there is some hope for the former Arizona State Sun Devil.
The Giants’ starting running back, Tyrone Tracy, had a poor showing as the lead back. While the game script took away the Giants’ chances to really establish a prominent run game, Tracy was inefficient, averaging 2.4 yards per carry. Tracy finished with -13 rushing yards over expected (RPOE).
It was a dismal day for the entire Giants offense. If Tracy continues to be inefficient, it could be sooner rather than later; this could be a 50/50 committee.
Nick Chubb – RB, Houston Texans
Like a lot of teams this week, the Texans had a slow day on offense. One thing is for certain for the Texans after Week 1, and that is Nick Chubb will be the team’s lead back in Joe Mixon’s absence. Chubb finished the week with 13 carries for 60 yards and only 6 fantasy points against a stout Los Angeles Rams defense.
Texans’ General Manager did not give a positive update when asked about when Mixon would be returning from his foot injury. Mixon will miss at least the first four games of the NFL season, but Nick Casserio was “noncommittal” when asked about a timeline for Mixon’s return.
There is a serious chance that Mixon misses more than half the season, and that would leave Chubb with a lion’s share of the carries in this backfield. Don’t overreact to a poor fantasy showing from Chubb in Week 1. Chubb will receive the volume to be a low-end flex on a weekly basis.
Ollie Gordon – RB, Miami Dolphins
Debatably, the most disappointing performance of Week 1 was from the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins’ offense was only able to muster 8 points against the Indianapolis Colts. A poor performance from Tua Tagovailoa led basically every Dolphins player to have a sub-par fantasy day. Starting running back De’von Achane had a solid day, scoring a late touchdown to get him to 16.20 fantasy points on the day.
Unfortunately, Ollie Gordon was taken out of this game due to the game script. Gordon only received 2 carries and rushed for 4 total yards. There was not much to judge Gordon on in his debut, and it’s too soon to give up on Gordon.
Gordon was a popular late-round sleeper due to his pure rushing abilities and goal-line capabilities that Achane does not possess. Gordon has the upside to score 8+ touchdowns this season in a role similar to Raheem Mostert a few seasons ago.
