Week 16 Waiver Wire: Must-Drop Players From Your Fantasy Football Lineup
The fantasy football playoffs are here.
Fantasy owners nationwide are all asking themselves the same question: Which players give me the best chance to get to the championship game? While some players have been consistent scorers for the majority of the season, these final two weeks are all about matchups and deciding which ones give you the best chance to win. At this point in the season, you can afford to cut ties with fringe players that don’t necessarily aid your lineup.
With that said, here are five players you should consider dropping for Week 16.
Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
While the Chiefs have an impressive 10-4 record and are in the thick of the AFC West race, it hasn’t been because of Smith’s play. From a fantasy perspective, he has yet to eclipse the 20-point threshold and only has 12 touchdowns on the season. This week, he and the Chiefs will be on the road to face the Denver Broncos, who are in must-win territory in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. Between Smith being painfully average all season coupled with Denver’s aggressive defense, dropping Smith in order to free up a roster spot is probably a wise move.
Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Hyde has been one of the top running back performers all season, but his final two matchups are unfavorable. This week, the 49ers will head to Los Angeles to play the Rams, who have performed fairly well on the defensive side of the ball all season. San Francisco will then close the season at home against the Seattle Seahawks, who have allowed the eighth-fewest rushing yards in the league. With unfriendly matchups to end the season, dropping Hyde shouldn’t result in any backlash.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
This may initially seem like a foolish move, as Fitzgerald as been one of the league’s most consistent receivers for over a decade. However, when looking at his production this season, he certainly doesn’t warrant a start in your lineup. In fact, Fitzgerald hasn’t even scored a touchdown since Week 5. Not only this, but Arizona finishes its season with two road games against the Rams and Seahawks. All things considered, it might be time to part ways with Fitzgerald.
Mike Wallace, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Wallace has shown glimpses throughout the season of being the go-to man in the Ravens offense, but he has yet to take that next step to solidify himself as Joe Flacco’s primary target. In recent weeks, Baltimore has shifted most of its attention on offense to tight end Dennis Pitta, receiver Steve Smith and its backfield duo of Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon. Wallace hasn’t found the end zone since Week 9, and two road games to close the season doesn’t seem to help that cause.
Coby Fleener, TE, New Orleans Saints
Fleener has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments this season. When he signed with the Saints in the offseason, he was expected to shine in Drew Brees’ pass-happy offense. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, that hasn’t happened. Fleener has only scored an underwhelming three touchdowns this year and has a weekly fantasy scoring average of just under eight points. While there aren’t many consistent options from the tight end position, Fleener isn’t worth the roster spot.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
