Navigating the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Identifying Underperforming Players to Cut Loose

The fantasy football landscape has been a rollercoaster ride this season, with Week 5 delivering a remarkable offensive explosion across the NFL. While many fantasy managers enjoyed quality outings from their players, there were still a handful of duds and disappointments that may have decided the outcome of certain matchups. As we move into Week 6, it's time for fantasy football aficionados to make some tough roster decisions based on the data accumulated over the past five weeks.

Unlocking the Potential of the Waiver Wire: Cutting Ties with Underperforming Players

Geno Smith: Struggling to Maintain Consistency

Geno Smith's performance in Week 5 against the New York Giants was a mixed bag. While he racked up 284 passing yards and 64 rushing yards, he managed just a single passing touchdown. This marked his fifth consecutive game with only one passing touchdown, and with a daunting matchup against the San Francisco 49ers looming on a short week, it's difficult to trust him to improve those numbers. As a streaming quarterback option, Smith may be better off being replaced by a more reliable signal-caller on the waiver wire.

Jerome Ford: Failing to Seize the Opportunity

Fantasy owners had high hopes for Jerome Ford as the backfield leader in Cleveland with Nick Chubb starting the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. However, Ford has failed to take advantage of his opportunity, slowly ceding snaps to veteran D'Onta Foreman. In Week 5, the two running backs split carries evenly, with Ford slightly edging Foreman 47-44 on the ground. This frustrating timeshare makes both players touchdown-dependent flex options, and with Chubb nearing a return, it may be time to move on from Ford in favor of more promising waiver wire options.

Zamir White: Struggling to Establish Himself

Dropping Zamir White is less about the Raiders' lack of an established running back and more about his underwhelming performance through the first five weeks. White averaged just 3.1 yards per carry and failed to find the end zone, disappointing those who hoped he would emerge as a volume-based RB2 this season. With White missing Week 5 due to a groin injury and the potential for veteran Antonio Pierce to eat into his workload, the Raiders' backfield appears destined to be a frustrating timeshare. If you're looking to chase a more potential-packed runner on the waiver wire, cutting ties with White could be a wise move.

Xavier Legette: Inconsistency Plagues Rookie Receiver

Any hope that Xavier Legette's big game against the Cincinnati Bengals (six catches, 66 yards, one TD) would lead to a larger breakout was quickly dashed by his performance against the Chicago Bears. Legette was targeted just once in that contest, making one catch for eight yards. This inconsistency is typical of a rookie, especially one playing in an offense that is still coming together. It may take Legette more time to fully understand first-year head coach Dave Canales' offense and develop chemistry with veteran starter Andy Dalton, who struggled against Chicago's stout defense. As a result, trusting Legette as a fantasy option doesn't seem advisable at the moment.

Jauan Jennings: Falling Behind in the 49ers' Pecking Order

Jauan Jennings had a standout performance for the 49ers when both Deebo Samuel and George Kittle were out of action, posting a three-touchdown game against the Los Angeles Rams. This led to speculation that Jennings could become an important part of San Francisco's offense even after the two stars returned to the lineup. However, Jennings was one of just five 49ers players targeted against the Arizona Cardinals, and he had just one catch for 13 yards. With Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk commanding 13 and 11 targets, respectively, it's clear that Jennings is well behind them in Brock Purdy's pecking order. While Jennings may still have value as a top receiver handcuff, those in need of bye-week fill-ins can certainly consider cutting him in favor of more reliable options on the waiver wire.