Players to Drop in Week 9

Players to Drop in Week 9: Keke Coutee didn’t play on a single snap in Week 8. So, yeah, you can cut him now.

Oh, how sad this week of football will be. I, of course, am referring to the fact that the NFL season is at the half-way point and we only have nine more weeks of the regular season.

This also means that the fantasy football season is roughly two-thirds of the way complete, depending on your league format. And while that disheartens me, there is still a ton of fantasy goodness left.

You likely caught some of that goodness if you witnessed Mike Evans’ scorching hot day against Tennessee. I can attest, Mike Evans has been a huge letdown in terms of consistency – to the point I wrote about wanting to rage drop him in this column – but holy cow, we were quickly reminded that he can he go off and win you a matchup at any time.

As for your fantasy team, the BYE weeks could force you to drop a player that you value. But before dropping anyone, make sure to put your team into perspective. Just because your player is listed in this cut column, it does not automatically mean you should drop him, especially if you are in a dynasty league.

You also need to weigh your waiver-wire options. If someone tells you to drop a player, it does not necessarily mean the move is right for your team. For your team to improve, you have to be able to add a player that will make your team better, immediately or down the road, compared to the player to be cut. It is paramount to evaluate the players, and the transaction, prior to completing it.

Here are some names you should consider dropping going into Week 9.

Frank Gore (RB, BUF)

After LeSean McCoy exited Buffalo, the door was left open for Frank Gore and Devin Singletary to become fantasy relevant. Gore was undoubtedly going to pick up some touches, but we were not sure how many touches Singletary would absorb. Shortly into the season, Singletary picked up a hamstring injury, which positioned Gore into carrying the bulk of the groundwork.

While Gore was the bell cow, he was never a match up winning asset but he got the job done with the volume he was given. Singletary being back into the mix makes Gore’s value volatile at best. He is not a must-cut but he certainly should be let go if your team needs to pick up a new fantasy asset.

Dante Pettis (WR, SF)

Dante Pettis was on fantasy radars as a late-round value pick, some even believed that he was a “can’t miss pick.” Sadly for Pettis and his followers, he’s been anything but “can’t miss.” While he has had weeks of fantasy relevancy, he has not found any consistency which makes him tough to count on.

Some decided to cut bait a few weeks ago, but the breakout narrative was still there. Insert the Emmanuel Sanders trade: almost at the drop of a pen, Pettis’ fantasy value was ripped away. Honestly, I am glad this trade happened because I was tired of holding him in my 12-man, 8-bench league. Pettis is a cut in all standard leagues and anything 12-team and below.

Teddy Bridgewater (QB, NO)

After Drew Brees went down with an injury in Week 2, Teddy Bridgewater was forced into the starting role at quarterback. Hindsight shows that Bridgewater is a legitimate NFL quarterback, completing 67.7-percent of his passes for 1370 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. Unfortunately with Brees getting back onto the field it moves Bridgewater to the bench and makes him a drop in all redraft leagues.

Keke Coutee (WR, HOU)

Keke Coutee has always battled the injury bug in his career. In 2019, even when healthy, Coutee has had trouble getting onto the field and producing fantasy numbers. Then in Week 7 against the Colts, Coutee ran the ball in for a touchdown and his fantasy stock seemed to be coming back up.

Well, whatever the fantasy community was hoping for, head coach Bill O’Brien did not play Coutee on a single snap in Week 8 and that is the final nail in the coffin for me. Coutee was never someone I wanted to start, but if he can’t get on the field with Will Fuller out, I will try my luck with someone else. Coutee is a cut in all standard leagues and 12-team leagues and below.