There are some fantasy players to drop each week that won’t keep you up at night — your second TE, a handcuff RB etc. But as the season progresses, bye weeks and injuries will force your hand and create some difficult choices. We’re here to help you make the move you won’t regret later.
Players to Drop in Week 6
Mark Ingram, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Discussed in length last week, Ingram delivered the exact fantasy performance managers were afraid of: 11 carries for 57 yards, no touchdowns, and no receptions. On-field for just 30% of the Ravens snaps, this appears to be the usage that the Ravens and Ingram are comfortable with.
Ingram is going to see 10-15 touches any given week, and unless he finds the end zone, will not be a valuable fantasy football asset. If there is a better option on the waiver wire, and Ingram is the least playable option on your roster, don’t hold him for the name value. Ingram can still play in the NFL, but the volume isn’t there for reliable fantasy football production.
Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Considering dropping Hurst probably hurts a little. Pegged as a “break out” candidate after landing with the Atlanta Falcons, Hurst has yet to deliver on the preseason hype. The entire Atlanta Falcons organization is in disarray, and Hurst, along with a slew of other talented players are caught in the crosshairs.
Hurst still holds the number one TE position in Atlanta and is averaging just over 5 targets a game, but in an oddly deep TE year, do not hold Hurst just because a draft pick was sunk into him. Averaging 8.8 points per game in full-point PPR fantasy, Hurst ranks 14th for the position, making him quite literally an average starting option. Waiting for the Falcons to “turn it on” is such a dangerous and silly game in 2020. Sure, the Falcons could explode for 40 points against the Vikings, but would anyone be surprised if the Vikings were the ones who dropped 40? The answer should be no.
Hurst has not proved to be a bankable fantasy football start on his own accord and stuck with an organization that constantly trips over its own feet exacerbates the problem. Hurst can be considered droppable if you find a better short and long-term option at TE.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Hilton delivered his best performance of the 2020 season Week 5, and it was still wholly unspectacular. Catching six passes for 69 yards on 10 targets, its possible Hilton and newly acquired Phil Rivers have found their groove and better things are to come. Hilton saw 95% of the Colts snaps in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, a season-high.
All things considered, week five was easily Hilton’s best game of the season. A season-high in snaps, catches, yards, and targets, resulting in about average fantasy production. The more positive spin is that things are trending in the right direction, and it would be hard to disagree. However, topping double digits just once this season in fantasy, and yet to find the end zone, consider Hilton as a droppable player.
Jerrick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco 49ers
The analysis here is relatively simple, Mostert is back and McKinnon no longer has the same role in the 49ers offense. McKinnon may be worth holding, just to see what the Niners deploy Sunday Night against the Los Angeles Rams, but certainly don’t make extra effort to hold him. If you need to fill a spot on your roster because of a bye week, McKinnon is likely the unfortunate casualty.
