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NFL Draft

Fantasy Football Players You Can Drop After Week 1

  • The Draft Network
  • September 13, 2021
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With just one game left to wrap up the first week of football, the league’s 32 franchises have presented you, the fantasy football aficionado, a glimpse into the playbook and scheme for the players you need to produce most for a chance at bragging rights. No more guessing, no more projections, we are back to live football, and with that, comes a chance for you to project your team’s success moving forward for the rest of the fantasy season. 

If you had Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Mixon, or Tyreek Hill, congrats, you’re probably sitting pretty heading into Monday night. However, on the other side of the docket, if you had any Packers skill players, you could already be focused on Week 2.

Long story short, don’t panic, it’s just one week. However, that doesn’t mean you should settle for the lineup you currently have, as many talents expected to accrue a significant amount of points disappointed on Sunday and should no longer be rostered. Here are five players to drop heading into Week 2.

Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rostered in 78.4% of leagues

In a contract year in which many, including myself, expected Jones to serve a massive role within the Tampa Bay backfield, Jones logged just six snaps in the season opener against Dallas, including a fumble. 

With four carries for 14 yards, Jones’ performance quickly found him back in head coach Bruce Arians' doghouse. Leonard Fournette led Tampa backs in snaps with 42 followed by Giovani Bernard's 17. A favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons lies ahead in Week 2, but I expect Jones to remain RB3 moving forward. Drop him.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Rostered in 45.1% of leagues

Against a lowly Eagles defense with one of the weaker secondary units in all of football, Ryan looked over the hill and flat-out average, amassing just 164 yards on 35 pass attempts in a 32-6 loss. With Julio Jones gone, you could do worse than Calvin Ridley and first-year tight end Kyle Pitts as top options, but both were relatively ineffective, combining for nine receptions. 

It’s one week, but there is no reason to roster Ryan right now. Plus, with the Buccaneers coming into town, his road back to success looks to be a distant journey. 

Zack Moss, RB, Buffalo Bills

Rostered in 71.6% of leagues

Sean McDermott opted to suit up Devin Singletary and Matt Breida, leaving Moss in street clothes for Week 1 as a healthy scratch. Currently rostered in more than 70% of leagues, Moss clearly doesn’t have a role in Buffalo as of this point, and in turn, doesn’t deserve to be on your bench moving forward. 

Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Football Team

Rostered in 72.8% of leagues

Currently on injured reserve, Samuel’s groin is worse than we thought. He’s been a non-participant all summer, and when given an opportunity to practice in preparation for the Chargers last week, he aggravated his injury, leaving him out for the next month. Even when he does return, I’m not sure he’ll be 100%—and with that would expectedly come a pitch count and a lack of touches on offense. Initially thought to provide a 1-2 punch alongside former college teammate Terry McLaurin, Samuel’s projection this year is as unclear as any wideout in football. 

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos

Rostered in 94.0% of leagues

Following a nasty ankle injury against the Giants, Jeudy’s road to recovery from a high ankle sprain looks to be at least two months. With Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, K.J. Hamler, and Tim Patrick battling for snaps, there’s no need to keep Jeudy on your bench (if you don’t have an IR spot available) in hopes of a successful return. He’s as talented as any wideout in football, sure, but names like Patrick, Jakobi Meyers, Zach Pascal, and Mike Williams would draw my attention from the waiver wire.

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