Real Talk
Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, Rosterwatch.com

Initially, this began as a cut bait or just wait article, but the issues with these players are more nuanced than usual. Here, we take a hard look at some big name players who aren’t doing enough to help your fantasy team. It’s well past time to make some tough decisions.

 

Ray Rice: Rice swears he’s completely healthy, and that may be the case, but his offensive line is in shambles and doesn’t hold and promise of improving. If it makes you feel any better as a Rice owner, Bernard Pierce’s yards per carry are just as bad as Rice’s, so it would indicate Rice’s woes are truly a result of the Ravens’ blocking — or lack thereof. Outside of a tilt with the Jets in a couple of weeks, Rice’s schedule isn’t brutal, but it hasn’t been all season. If you can trade him, do so, and if not, you have to keep him on your bench. You don’t want to have to face him later on in the season if he picks things up. He’s one player that could come back to bite you.

Trent Richardson: The Browns were on to something. Apparently, they saw the writing on the wall with Richardson, and shipped him out before everyone discovered that the emperor had no clothes. At 3.1 yards per carry, he has become a punchline in fantasy circles, at times looking downright pitiful in comparison to his backup Donald Brown. To his service, Richardson hasn’t been given a whole lot of carries to this point. He has only received 20 carries once this season, and it happened to be his best game on the ground with 60 yards and a touchdown. In the last three games, he gotten 10, 14, and 8 carries. That lack of carries would make any back look bad. Richardson actually looked good in space in Indy’s last game against the Texans, and he should get more looks in the passing game going forward if the Colts know what’s good for them. I really do think that Richardson’s best games are ahead of him. He won’t light the world on fire, but he will be an asset in fantasy playoffs.

Matt Ryan: Ryan is largely a victim of his environment. Star receiver Julio Jones is out for the season with injury, and his counterpart Roddy White has been hobbled from the start. Ryan has been left with an aging Tony Gonzalez and a couple of mediocre pass catchers to make due with. The early loss of Steven Jackson in the running game hasn’t helped either. Well Jackson is back, and White is on the cusp of healthiness, so if there is a time to invest in Ryan again it is now. I can’t make any promises, but I can assure you his stats will go up marginally from here on out.

Darren McFadden: Our favorite oft injured running back is out again with a balky hamstring, and no one knows when he will return. This is the same song and dance we’ve gotten out of McFadden since he entered the league, so you should have known what you were getting into in drafting him. He should be a luxury, not a necessity. You shouldn’t have to depend on him to be competitive in fantasy.

Marques Colston: It boggles the mind that Colston can be so unproductive in one of the most prolific passing games in the league. One has to come to the realization that Colston is the only one to blame here. Drew Brees is an equal opportunity passer, getting the ball to the open man, whoever that may be. Colston just isn’t getting open. In his seven year career, he has not surpassed 1,000 yds receiving once, so you have to hold out some hope for a resurgence. While that milestone seems unlikely this year, Colston has a tendency to improve during the second half of the season so I would hold onto him unless your team is in shambles. Unfortunately, if you’re a Colston owner, it probably is.

James Jones: I, like many in fantasy, was thrilled to get Jones off of waivers when an impatient owner dropped him in one of my leagues. With Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball, any starting Packers receiver is worth owning and Jones was primed for a strong second half of the season return. Those dreams were dashed when Rodgers broke his collarbone against the Bears on Monday, leaving us with an underwhelming Seneca Wallace at QB. I hate to be the harbinger of bad news, but I don’t think more than one receiver can thrive under Wallace, and that receiver will most likely be Jordy Nelson. Be prepared for Jones to be left out in the cold. He’s worth holding onto, with a Rodgers return sometime this season, but don’t let Jones be the piece that holds you back from being able to make the playoffs.

Roddy White: White has had his toe in the water for many a game this season. His use as a decoy had infuriated many owners and ruined many fantasy weeks. But, you still need to hang onto him. White is a fantasy game changer, and if he happens to be in your hands when he finally makes a solid return to football you will be well served. The worst is behind him, and his buy low window is closing quickly.

Dwayne Bowe: Hurrah, Bowe topped sixty yards last week. Someone give him a cookie. When you’re celebrating that sort of thing for a player who many were depending to be their WR2, or even WR1 in some leagues, something has gone terribly wrong. If he goes over 100 yds in any game this season, I will eat my hat. I’m not wearing one, but you get my point. Bowe is dangerous to have on your fantasy team for the fact that you risk playing less well known, but more accomplished, players who can actually help you win. Don’t allow yourself to be blinded by his past. He is a different creature under Alex Smith. He shouldn’t be on your roster outside of 14 or 16 team leagues.

DeAngelo Williams: It was decent while it lasted, but Williams is coming to the end of his run as a useful fantasy back. No long the goal line back, or the power runner on the team, he will be relegated to a change of pace in the very near future. Jonathan Stewart looks better than him already. If a fifty yard ceiling will suffice, then by all means, keep him around. If that doesn’t cut it for you, it’s time to look for greener pastures.

Greg Jennings:  I pity an receiver that isn’t a tight end on the Minnesota offense right now. With a confederacy of dunces at the QB position, the prognosis is not good for anyone, much less Jennings. Don’t let his name keep you on the bandwagon. He’s trade bait at best.

Charles Clay: Clay started off the season as the new hotness in Miami, but he’s faded over the past several games, as the Miami offense has begun to sync. No longer necessary to keep the team competitive, Clay is a TE2 at best. Fortunately for him, there aren’t a whole lot of other options at the position right now. Though, If Tim Wright is available in your league, it might not be a bad move to move on.

Bilal Powell: Powell is turning out to be exactly who we thought he was, a middling backup RB. Chris Ivory was always intended to carry the weight for the Jets this season, and it’s starting to show. Powell is useful only for handcuff purposes at this point.

Julian Edelman: Edelman is getting snaps, but he is now the most unappealing target in New England with Amendola, Gronkowski, and a surging Aaron Dobson taking the lead. He didn’t do much with the targets he got when he was the Patriots’ only reliable option, so his new role as 4th in the pecking order is disheartening. Thanks Edelman, but it was just ok while it lasted.

Darrius Heyward-Bey: DHB has to get some run as the 1A receiving option in Indy right? I sure hope so, but if last Sunday’s matchup with Texans is any indication, you better tie to cart to another horse. Still, he’s an intriguing pickup and one you have to make if you’re week at receiver. We’ve seen glimpses of production in the past, and the team seems to be standing behind him. Keep him rostered for at least another game.