Fantasy football waiver wire: Should you keep or cut these 6 players ahead of Week 15 (the playoffs!) in 2024?

charles curtis

Tue, 10 Dec 2024, 9:21 am·1-min read

Oct 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) holds off Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Tyrek Funderburk (24) in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880984 ORIG FILE ID: 20241027_nrs_fo8_0071.jpg

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 15 of fantasy football in 2024.

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.

Bye weeks are over. For most leagues, the playoffs are here, so roster management is huge as you hit the waiver wire this week, with some big decisions to be made. Let’s help you with that.

"Backup" quarterbacks

Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) calls out in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-881065 ORIG FILE ID: 20241202_djc_ac4_318.JPG

If you've made the playoffs, you're either riding with a top-8 quarterback the rest of the way or you're streaming. And if the latter is the case, you don't want two QBs on your roster. Instead, use that spot to stash a backup running back.

VERDICT: Drop them

RB Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) and linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) stop Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) after a short gain in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880881 ORIG FILE ID: 20240908_jko_aj4_055.JPG

He's had a very good year, but the injury that's left him out for three weeks opened the door for Sincere McCormick, so even if Mattison comes back, he's facing a timeshare.

VERDICT: Drop him

WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers

Dec 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The goose egg from last week wasn't great, and the Packers wideouts can be crap shoots week to week. But Reed is explosive and may have some good weeks ahead.

VERDICT: Keep him

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans

Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) takes the field against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-881030 ORIG FILE ID: 20241117_sns_ra1_00089.JPG

He's a touchdown machine ... but otherwise? He's meh. But he catches touchdowns. I assume your playoff team is stocked enough that you won't need him. A touchdown-dependent WR is a shaky proposition in the postseason.

VERDICT: Drop him

RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

Aug 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (30) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880853 ORIG FILE ID: 20240817_gav_sv5_035.jpg

Someday, he's going to be good. I'm not sure about right now, especially with Gus Edwards taking over as the top back. Still, he got eight carries to Edwards' 10, so he's worth stashing in case.

VERDICT: Keep him

TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Ugh. Even with tight end having bad options, you need to look elsewhere.

VERDICT: Drop him

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy football waiver wire: Should you keep or cut these 6 players ahead of Week 15 (the playoffs!) in 2024?