Bye Week QB:
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Cutler QB (53%) – Despite his mediocre numbers so far this season, Cutler has looked like an improved QB this season. His O-line is actually giving him time to throw and he has better weapons around him then at any point in his tenure with the Bears. If his line can continue to give him time, he should have a big week against a Lions secondary that has looked vulnerable so far this year (18th in yardage allowed). I think this will be a shootout and I predict at least 3 passing TDs for Cutler.
Max FAAB: $5
Dropped:
James Starks RB (60%) – Starks wasn’t doing much before he got hurt in week 3 (knee) and then his backup Johnathon Franklin came in and everyone realized how slow and unexplosive Starks is. With Lacy healthy and Franklin looking like a solid receiving back, Starks has no value right now.
Marlon Brown WR (32%) – Brown’s two game touchdown streak was snapped as was his streak of useful fantasy games. His 2 catch, 6 yards performance in week 3 is going to send him back to the waiver wire in most leagues. He’s still the Ravens #2 WR and will have some decent games, but the rookie is too inconsistent for my rosters.
Graduated:
DeAndre Hopkins WR (73%)
Knowshon Moreno RB (85%)
Bernard Pierce RB (65%)
Eddie Royal WR (76%)
Safe to Cut (50% owned or more)
With 3 weeks in the books, we have a decent idea of a player’s role and it’s time to start evaluating your back-end draft picks to see if they are worthy of a roster spot. Here is a list of players owned in at least 50% of Yahoo leagues that I would feel safe cutting:
Chris Ivory (55%) – It’s Powell’s job to lose.
James Starks (60%) – Won’t get another start this year unless Lacy & Franklin get hurt.
Lance Moore (62%) – Moore hasn’t seen more than 4 targets in a game this season.
Ahmad Bradshaw (73%) – He looked great against SF, but the Colts didn’t trade a 1st round pick for T-Rich so he could sit on the bench. Expect Bradshaw’s carries to dwindle as the season progresses.
Golden Tate (79%) – Had a decent week 3 (5-88), but has been a huge disappointment this season and with Harvin on track for a possible week 7 return, Tate is waiver wire bound.
Eli Manning (89%) – There is probably a better QB2 option on your waiver wire then the guy who is leading the league in INT’s (8) and looked lost in weeks 2 & 3. Don’t let name recognition make you sentimental. Cut him.