Do you drop them or do you hold on to them? Should you fear their drop in usage? I’ll help you answer those! Every week I’ll be highlighting some players who are either losing opportunity on offense or underperforming based on their ownership percentage.
This can be used as a helpful way to decide on some players you can drop to waivers for the hot new items on the market. Maybe you’re on the fence about a bench player and seeing his name on this list will help you make that final decision!
I will only mention players with over 35% ownership in ESPN leagues because you can’t drop who you don’t have. I’ll also give my verdict on whether he’s a drop or a hold depending on if his drop in production may have other factors to it! All players are analyzed by their offensive snap% and their targets/touches week-to-week.
Let’s do this!
Joshua Kelley – 59% Ownership
Joshua Kelley finds himself falling in the LAC backfield before the return of Austin Ekeler. A dip down to being on the field for just 24% of snaps, being third on the team’s backfield in touches, and just 3.5 fantasy points doesn’t spell right for Kelley. Troymaine Pope saw a huge jump in usage this past week for LAC as well and I don’t expect him to disappear. Pope saw 29% of snaps and 15 touches while Justin Jackson saw 47% and 20 touches himself.
Verdict: Kelley had potential while Ekeler was out with an injury but he hasn’t been able to provide solid fantasy numbers. A drop in usage before the main back, Ekeler, returns means I’m fine dropping Kelley.
Adrian Peterson – 42.9% Ownership
The Detroit backfield is starting to lean on one man as the weeks go on and that man is not Adrian Peterson. D’Andre Swift has seen his usage on offense jump week-to-week and reached 61% this past week against Indy. The lack of passing work for Peterson and being on the field just as often as Kerryon Johnson doesn’t provide great fantasy value.
Verdict: I view Peterson as a low-end handcuff to Swift, but you can find better options on the wire. I think this is the week Peterson finally hits the waivers.
Tyler Higbee – 57.3% Ownership
Tyler Higbee has officially become just a dude. He sat out last week with an injury and I don’t believe it was holding him back in this game since it was a hand contusion. He’s either been out-targeted or targeted the same amount as Gerald Everett in the past three games Hibee was active. Nine targets to Everett on Sunday compared to Higbee’s four doesn’t sit right with me.
Verdict: If you haven’t done so yet, drop Higbee. It appears this offense isn’t using him as they were in the second half of last season and there are potentially better options on the wire. Especially with an LAR bye week, don’t try holding on to him.
Other guys I’m dropping
CeeDee Lamb – Bad offense, a decline in snap%
TY Hilton – Groin injury, unproductive when healthy
Mike Gesicki – Two targets on Sunday, 1.8 total PPR points in the past two games
