Cut’em or Keep’em: Jahan Dotson on the Chopping Block?

We’re heading into Week 5, so the breakouts have typically been identified and scooped up on rosters. Now, we’re looking at roster decisions and deciding who to keep and who to release to the waiver wire to improve our squads.

Keep ‘Em

Jahan Dotson, WR (WAS)

I did not expect the first four games of the season to go like this for the second-year receiver. He is currently WR 62 on the season behind Josh Palmer and Kalif Raymond.

I didn’t anticipate Sam Howell would target the tight ends as much as he has instead of a talented receiver like Dotson.

The silver lining for Dotson is that he just saw his most targets in a game this season with nine. He finished with four catches for 29 yards and a score. His line made him WR 28 on the week.

Terry McLaurin is the No. 1 receiver, but give Dotson some time to build on his Week 4 performance, despite not living up to many people’s expectations so far.

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Quentin Johnston, WR (LAC)

The first-round receiver has underwhelmed so far, but fantasy managers shouldn’t cut him loose yet if they can afford to hold him.

I understand he is on his bye this week, and that may make it hard to hold on to him, especially coming off a one-catch for 18-yard performance.

However, better days are likely ahead for the rookie. Justin Herbert threw for only 167 yards, which was much less than the 313 yards per game he averaged in the previous three games. Mike Williams is out for the season, so Josh Palmer and Johnston are battling for the No. 2 receiver spot.

Johnston’s talent should win out, and being Herbert’s No. 2 wide receiver can provide good fantasy production. Rookie receivers take time to get accustomed to the NFL game. Don’t give up the talented rookie just yet.

Tyler Allgeier, RB (ATL)

Allgeier wasn’t used much last week in the Falcons’ loss to the Jacksonville Jags in London. Bijan Robinson has slowly but surely been involved more often, but Allgeier should still play significantly in certain situations.

According to PFF, Allgeier has played 33.5 percent of the Falcons’ offensive snaps when the Falcons are behind, 43.9 percent when they are tied, and 68.4 percent when they have a lead. This past week, the Falcons never led.

The Falcons have one of the easiest schedules remaining. Although Robinson is a Top-five fantasy running back for the rest of the season, Allgeier will have weeks where he’s a starter based on the matchup.

The Falcons’ run-heavy offense is the perfect recipe for Allgeier’s success in a given matchup.

Cut ‘Em

Rashaad Penny, RB (PHI)

If Penny is still on your roster as you are reading this, you are doing something wrong. The former first-round pick was healthy inactive in Week 4.

He’s only played on offense in one game — Week 2 after two of the Eagles’ top three running backs were out due to injury.

All three are healthy, and it’s clear Penny is fourth on the depth chart.

It would take one injury for Penny to make it back to the gameday roster and another for him to play significantly.

It makes sense to hold onto him in deeper leagues, especially when there aren’t great running back options off the waiver wire, but it is also understandable to move off of him.

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Skyy Moore, WR (KC)

Simply put, the defending champs have too many receivers they use for them to become reliable fantasy starters.

On the season, Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Justin Watson lead the team in routes run, but none have more than a 17 percent target rate.

Moore did not have a catch for the second time this season. According to PFF, 46 receivers have at least 14 receptions this season, and none play for the Chiefs.

Doesn’t seem like any receiver will emerge, but Moore seems less likely than rookie Rashee Rice and Kadarius Toney. Moore is droppable in shallow leagues and 12-team leagues with standard six bench slots.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, (BAL)

Beckham has missed the last two games due to injury and might not have as big of a role once he’s healthy again.

Part of Beckham’s appeal before the season was talk of the Ravens becoming a more pass-heavy team, but they still have the third-highest run rate this season at 47.4 percent. 

Beckham is at best the third receiving option behind Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers for a run-heavy team that has missed most of the last four seasons due to injury and is currently injured.

He might make a few highlight plays but they’ll be too few and far between to consistently help managers.

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