Fantasy Players to Drop After Week 1 2019

Fantasy players to drop after Week 1: It’s tough to cut anyone after one week, but if you need to, these three players are on the chopping block.

Football is back, which means fantasy football is finally here, as well as the greatest time of the year for sports. With Week 1 in the books, fantasy managers are going to be busy debating, who to cut and who to pick up.

Before we get into the cut list, it is important to understand the context of this article prior to following the advice given. Make sure you put your team in perspective; just because your player is listed on this column, it does not automatically mean you should cut him. You also need to weigh your waiver wire options. Just because someone tells you to cut a player, it does not mean the move is right for your team.

For your team to improve, you have to be able to add a player that will make your team better, immediately or down the road, compared to the player to be cut. So evaluation of the player you are adding is paramount.

One final note, this was the first week of NFL football. It is going to be difficult to gauge, analyze and determine fantasy roles based on one week, nevertheless the first week of the season. Do your research and understand that snap counts and targets are two metrics you should review before cutting or adding a player.

Darrell Henderson (RB, LAR)

We all know you spent some draft capital to acquire Darrell Henderson this year. Truth is, it was always going to be Malcolm Brown as the second-string and Week 1 exposed that.

Malcolm Brown has always been admired by head coach Sean McVay. In addition, the Rams even went so far as to sign Brown to another contract over the offseason, after he finished 2018 on injured-reserved. Darrell Henderson seems to be an insurance policy, and it showed in the stats. Henderson logged two snaps in Week 1, which is far removed from Brown’s 21 snaps.

Am I saying that Henderson is a complete dud? No, because it was Week 1 and there are 16 more weeks to go. But I am saying that I would rather take a waiver addition like Chris Thompson in PPR formats or the aforementioned Malcolm Brown for standard leagues. Neither are hot pickups but they are more productive than Henderson presently.

Nyheim Hines (RB, IND)

Nyheim Hines should not be owned in non-PPR leagues, let’s start there. Deeper 1/2-point leagues may find some value in stashing Hines, especially as a handcuff, but rostering the back in shallow PPR leagues is something you should move on from.

Hines got eight touches on 17 snaps during Week 1, but he was only able to squeeze out 13 rushing yards on four carries and four yards on four receptions. Marlon Mack looked to be the workhorse for Indy carrying the ball 25 times for 174 yards and one touchdown.

Mack does carry some injury history and Hines will become valuable if Mack is unable to stay healthy, outside of that Hines seems to be a player to move on from. For a better floor and ceiling, Chris Thompson of Washington is the PPR back to pick up.

Anthony Miller (WR, CHI)

Am I really wanting to let him go of Anthony Miller after the first week? No. But it is Week 1 and you are mistaken if the likes of Jamison Crowder or Marquise Brown are not more intriguing.

It really hurts to analyze the Bears’, and Miller’s, performance in Week 1. The Chicago offense was a mess and quarterback Mitch Trubisky may have been the culprit, but Miller was the least played receiver for the Bears, logging just 16 snaps. Further, Miller was only targeted once during Thursday night’s matchup. Those are all tough stats to stomach with Miller, but hopefully, you grabbed him around his 13th round ADP.

For shallow leagues, I would reluctantly move on from Miller for a top waiver addition. Deeper leagues can hold on for a little while longer, but if this repeats in Week 2 Miller could become a must-cut.