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 7
Adrian Peterson, RB, Detroit Lions
Discussed two weeks ago as a potential drop candidate, Peterson showed why in Week 6 as it took a goal-line plunge to salvage what would’ve been a dreadful fantasy performance. It took Peterson 15 carries to collect 40 yards resulting in a 2.7 yards per carry, marking three straight weeks of inefficient and unproductive running.
Over Detriot’s last three games Peterson has carried the ball 48 times for 151 yards equaling a horrendous 3.1 yards per carry. Detroit also clearly used the bye week to work 2020 draft pick D’Andre Swift into their offense as the rookie had a season-high in touches and yards. Swift exploded for 116 yards on 14 carries and found the end zone twice.
Peterson’s lack of productivity and efficiency on the ground combined with the emergence of Swift in Week 6 should begin the transition to Swift as the lead back in Detroit. Peterson should still have some value as a goal-line back but sitting on goal-line touches in fantasy, especially in PPR, is a dangerous game to play.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts.
Discussed last week as a wait and see player, Hilton delivered a one-catch, 11-yard performance resulting in his worst game to date. The optimist would suggest that that Hilton and pro-bowl QB Phillip Rivers could still develop chemistry throughout the season, but six games are enough of a sample to suggest that it just might not happen.
Averaging just over 6 targets a game, Hilton has topped 5 receptions once and cleared 50 yards three times on the season. Most troubling about Hilton’s Week 6 performance was the lack of production given how the Colts were forced to play. Trailing 21-0 in the second quarter, Rivers ended the game throwing a total of 44 passes. Hilton saw just five of those passes and only brought in one. Seven Colts players finished Week 6 with a higher reception and yardage total than Hilton.
The simple fact remains that Hilton has not been a focal point of the Colts offense. Despite steady involvement, it’s hard to believe there are not better options available on the waiver wire.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Johnson has been hampered by injury since his stellar two-week start to the season. Collecting 14 receptions on 23 targets in the season’s first two games, Johnson looked primed for a breakout year.
Since then, Johnson has essentially missed three straight games and rookie WR Chase Claypool has scored five touchdowns over that same span. Johnson won’t be totally removed from the offense due to Claypool, but the rookie has clearly earned himself more snaps and reps regardless of Johnson’s return.
In an offense seeing mostly game manager performances from Ben Roethlisberger and one that features many talented skill position players, fantasy production could be hard to find for Johnson when he re-enters the lineup.
Week 7 Players to Drop: Getting Close
Joshua Kelley, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Outplayed by Justin Jackson Week 5, Kelley may soon find himself third in line (when Austin Ekeler returns) for touches in the Chargers backfield. Against the Saints in Week 5 Kelley ran for just 29 yards on 11 carries, whereas Jackson totaled 71 yards on 15 totes and brought in five receptions for 23 yards.
As a promising rookie, it’s worth it to see how he and the Chargers rebound following their bye week against the toothless Jets, but it’s certainly worth noting that Kelley has struggled since his Week 1 debut against the Cincinnati Bengals.
