You’re waking up on Tuesday reading all that you can about the players that you should be picking up off the waiver wire as you prepare for Week 2 of fantasy football in 2023.
But it’s likely there aren’t as many things written about who you should be dropping to grab those players. That’s what this weekly column — keep ’em or dump ’em! — will hopefully answer for you: Some help in the debate over who you should keep or drop in order to improve your team.
You know the drill after Week 1: Lots of talent on the waiver wire, so let’s dive in to help you with who to keep or drop:
1
RB Damien Harris, Buffalo Bills
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
If you drafted him, you assumed he was a touchdown-dependent RB. Well, he didn’t score in Week 1 … and he had one carry and two catches.
I’d say it’s safe to drop him in shallower leagues.
VERDICT: Drop him
2
RB Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Sigh. You knew the Colts’ RB situation was dicey but you thought Jackson could be the starter. And you were right! Except he was awful on Sunday, averaging an unthinkable 1.1 ypc, although he caught five passes.
I can’t imagine the Colts will lean on him much longer, but volume counts for something. So …
VERDICT: Keep him
3
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
I’m right on the fence here. It was the Zay Flowers Show on Sunday, and Bateman only got three looks. I’m willing to give it another week, but if it’s Flowers first and second, followed by Odell Beckham Jr., in a run-heavy offense? And you need one of the big names off waivers?
VERDICT: Drop him
4
WR Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
I’d say keep him even though he might be third or fourth on the depth chart for passes — that would be Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Tyler Higbee ahead of him. Let’s see how this situation unfolds a little more before Cooper Kupp returns.
VERDICT: Keep him
5
RB Rashaad Penny, Philadelphia Eagles
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
He didn’t even play as a healthy scratch … but beyond Kenneth Gainwell, things are murky in the backfield in Philly. I’d keep him for now and see if he plays on Thursday.
VERDICT: Keep him
6
WR Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
It’s both the situation with rookie Bryce Young and his age. I’m fine with dropping him.
VERDICT: Drop him
