Week 14 Fantasy Football Drop Candidates: Kareem Hunt, Diontae Johnson, Kyle Pitts and More
You can consider dropping these players when making moves on your waiver wire this week.
Running Backs
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
Although it may have happened a bit quicker than anticipated, we all knew the day was coming. Isiah Pacheco returned in Week 13 and it quickly became apparent that Hunt's days of fantasy relevance were over barring another injury.
After an extended absence, Pacheco immediately stepped in splitting carries with Hunt evenly and far outperforming him, rushing for 44 yards on seven carries compared to Hunt's seven carries for 15 yards. We don't expect Hunt to disappear, but Pacheco's role will continue to grow exponentially, while Hunt serves only as a thorn in the side of his owners.
Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers
Edwards simply isn't going to be the guy in LA even with J.K. Dobbins landing on IR. Of 12 running back carries in Week 13, Edwards handled six of them. We don't foresee a scenario where you will feel comfortable plugging him into your fantasy lineup at any point over the next four weeks.
Drop him and move on because you can't start a low-floor and low-ceiling player in must-win games down the stretch. While we wouldn't advise rostering any backs in this backfield, Kimani Vidal would be the guy to stash if you insist upon it.
Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
It's simply too little, too late from Brooks. It's a tough pill to swallow for fantasy owners who held onto him all season with the hopes of him being a league winner, but it's not going to happen as long as Chuba Hubbard is healthy.
All he is doing is ruining the lives of Hubbard owners. Brooks has looked pretty good in the passing game, but hasn't looked very good on the ground. There aren't enough snaps or opportunities available to make him relevant in 2024.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Making his weekly appearance in this article is Williams. Yes, he did score a TD on Monday Night Football, but he also totaled one yard. Cut Williams, cut Audric Estime, and don't pick up Jaleel McLaughlin. This backfield is a dumpster fire and you want no parts of it.
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Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
The same goes for the Raiders' backfield. Mattison is the name we chose, but you don't want to own any of these guys. It's an unmitigated disaster with Mattison and Zamir White out, and it will only get messier once they return. There is no reason to hold any Raiders' running back on your roster.
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson, Baltimore Ravens
Even with Rashod Bateman leaving the game due to an injury in Week 13, Johnson was nowhere to be found. In a game where they really could have used him, he didn't see a single target. The Ravens have instead opted to utilize Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace ahead of him.
In the five games since Baltimore traded for him, he has caught one of five targets for six yards. We aren't quite sure what's going on with him and the Ravens but it's been far worse than we could have even imagined. With a bye week coming in Week 14, we don't foresee any possible turn of events that could lead us to even consider playing him in the fantasy playoffs.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Lockett has a great run and an impressive career, but it's over for the 32-year-old wideout. He hasn't been able to top 20 yards in a month and has struggled the entire season regardless of who was hurt or healthy.
The last time he caught more than five passes in a game was Week 1 and he doesn't have a single game this season in which he's reached 80 receiving yards. In total this season, he has 41 catches for 511 yards and two TDs. To make matters worse, his subpar numbers are also trending down on a weekly basis. His time has come and gone and it's time for fantasy owners to move on.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
A once-promising early-season run by Pitts has once again spiraled into disappointment. It all culminated with a zero-catch disaster in Week 13 after a one-catch, nine-yard game the week prior to their Week 12 bye. Only once in his past four games has he topped 11 yards or three targets.
There is no way you can trust a slumping Pitts in the playoffs, especially, as we watch his quarterback Kirk Cousins flailing on the field and accelerating a Michael Penix takeover. Drop Pitts and find a tight end who can be trusted to at least catch a few passes.
