Fantasy Football: 3 Players You Can Drop After Week 5

Players to Drop at a Glance

• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
• Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Knowing when to move on from a recognizable name can be one of the toughest parts of managing a fantasy football roster. But with four teams on bye in Week 6 and useful waiver-wire options available, holding onto an underperforming player can become costly.

That doesn't mean every player below needs to be dropped in deeper formats. But in typical 10- and 12-team leagues, these players have shown enough warning signs to make them expendable if there's a worthwhile replacement available.

All NFL projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research, and NFL odds references are to FanDuel Sportsbook. Statistics via NFL Next-Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Fantasy Football Drop Candidates This Week

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

Dalton Kincaid opened the season with consecutive big games, but his production has fallen off a cliff since then. After totaling 225 receiving yards over Weeks 1 and 2, Kincaid has produced just four catches for 52 yards over his last three games, including identical one-catch, 7-yard outings in Weeks 4 and 5. He’s got seven total targets over the last three games.

Yikes.

The Buffalo Bills continue to feature a deep group of pass-catchers, leaving Kincaid without the consistent volume we'd want from a weekly fantasy starter. He's still rostered in 87.1% of FantasyData leagues, but his recent usage no longer warrants treating him as an automatic hold. In leagues where Brenton Strange or another viable tight end is available, I'm comfortable moving on.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr. is easily the most difficult name to cut on this list, but his 2026 production hasn’t been there. Through five games, he has only nine receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown, and he was held without a catch in the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ Week 5 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

His last three games have resulted in just three total catches for 25 yards, with the lone touchdown keeping his Week 4 fantasy line from being another complete dud. He hasn’t topped 40 yards in a game this season.

At some point, draft capital and past production have to matter less than a player's current role, and Thomas simply hasn't been a dependable part of Jacksonville's passing attack.

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Godwin‘s name still carries plenty of fantasy weight, but the 2026 numbers haven't followed. He has yet to reach 50 receiving yards in a game and has not scored a touchdown, totaling 19 receptions for 179 receiving yards through five weeks.

His last three games have produced receiving lines of 3-25-0, 6-31-0, and 3-37-0, so even the increased catch total in Week 4 didn't translate into much fantasy upside.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also leaned more heavily on its running game with Jalon Daniels under center, further lowering the ceiling of the passing attack.

While there’s a chance Godwin may be a viable pickup later this year once Baker Mayfield returns, I’m comfortable cutting him now.

Fantasy Football Players to Drop FAQ

When should you drop a player in fantasy football?

A player can become droppable when his role, workload, or opportunity has significantly declined and there are better options available on the waiver wire. Injuries and depth-chart changes can also quickly alter a player's fantasy value.

How long should you wait before dropping an underperforming player?

It depends on the player's draft capital and underlying usage. Early-round picks usually deserve more patience, while late-round players with declining snaps, targets, or touches can be moved on from much sooner.

Should you drop an injured player in fantasy football?

Not necessarily. Consider the severity of the injury, expected recovery timeline, and whether your league has an injured reserve spot before making a decision. High-upside players are often worth holding if their absence is expected to be temporary.

Should you drop a player for a waiver-wire pickup?

Yes, if the waiver option has a better path to consistent touches, targets, or playing time. Fantasy managers shouldn't hold onto a struggling player simply because they used a draft pick on him.

What should you look at before dropping a fantasy football player?

Snap rate, touches, targets, depth-chart position, injuries, upcoming matchups, and changes in a team's offense can all help determine whether a player is worth holding or dropping.

New customers can get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — guaranteed — when you bet $5 every day for seven days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which NFL bets stand out to you? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.