Fantasy Football Sleepers-Final Cuts to Avoid drafting

Some players with deep league end-of-the-draft potential were released yesterday as NFL teams reduced their rosters down to 53. There are some late-round steals that have big-time potential headed into the year so make sure you don’t waste a pick on a player who isn’t on an NFL roster right now.

Here’s the top players who may have been on your draft radar that you need to avoid at this point until their situation changes.

Jeff Demps-RB-New England Patriots: Demps was placed on season-ending IR and is basically red-shirting this season despite showing some promise on kick returns early this preseason.

Seneca Wallace-QB-Cleveland Browns: Wallace will find a new team before week one, but Colt’s the one left in Cleveland if  you are betting against Brandon Wheeden. Wallace could be valuable depending on where he signs and injury situations going forward.

Deion Branch-WR-New England Patriots: Branch, Jabar Gaffney, and Donte Stallworth all failed to make the Patriots team. Bill Belichick kept just four wide receivers on the roster and four tight ends. Look for New England to add a receiver at some point, but Branch’s days as a fantasy option appear to be over.

Jordan Shipley-WR-Tampa Bay Bucs: Shipley was reportedly healthy but is looking for a new team after being realeased.

Tim Hightower-RB-Washington Redskins: Hightower was released leaving Roy Helu, Evan Royster, and Alfred Morris to share carries in Mike Shanahan’s backfield.

Kellen Clemens-QB-St. Louis Rams: Clemens was the backup to Sam Bradford coming into camp but is now a free agent. The Rams will most likely add a backup before the season begins with only undrafted rookie Austin Davis on the depth chart behind Bradford as of now.

Derek Hagan-WR-Buffalo Bills: Hagan was highlighted by Chan Gailey early in August as “working his tail off” and “pushing hard to be a big part of the offense.” Four weeks later, Gailey waived him.

D.J. Ware-RB-New York Giants: Ware han 46 times for 163 yards with 170 on 27 receptions. He was mostly a third-down pass protection back last year, but the Giants didn’t have room on the roster with Ahmad Bradshaw and David Wilson expected to get more playing time on third down after an impressive preseason.

Nick Toon-WR-New Orleans Saints: Toon had a great offseason and was looking to challenge for a roll in the Saints passing game. He unfortunately dealt with a foot injury in preseason that limited his mobility and caused him to be put on IR for his rookie year. He’s got a shot at fantasy relevancy next season.

Tommy Steeter-WR-Baltimore Ravens: Streeter was put on IR and will miss the season.

Naaman Roosevelt-WR-Buffalo Bills: Ryan Fitzgerald called Roosevelt “the man” and added “All he does is get open and catch the ball; that’s it.” Roosevelt was resleased as the Bills cleaned out their wide receivers.

Tiquan Underwood-WR-Tampa Bay Bucs: Underwood could catch on with a team before week one, possibly even the Patriots who carried him most of last year. He won’t make it with his former college coach though after Coach Greg Schiano gave him his release.

Roscoe Parish-WR-Oakland Raiders: Parish was just signed earlier this week, but his release is a good sign that Jacoby Ford will be ready to return punts week one.

Chris Hogan-WR-Miami Dolphins: If you’re a Hard Knocks fan, you know Hogan as 7-11 courtesy of Reggie Bush. Hogan may be always open but he’l probably begin the season on the practice squad so don’t draft him.

Jacob Hester-RB-San Diego Chargers: Hester couldn’t stay on the Bolts roster even with starter Ryan Mathews recovering from a broken clavicle. Ronnie Brown will get the play in week one against Oakland if Mathews is unable to go as looks most likely to be the case.

Terrance Ganaway-RB-New York Jets: The only player who scored a touchdown for the Jets all preseason, the Baylor rookie is likely to be on the Jets’ practice squad.

Sage Rosenfels-QB-Minnesota Vikings: Rosenfels is out as an option in Minnesota as the Vikings go with Christian Ponder, Joe Webb, and undrafted free agent McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

None of these guys should be picked, but it’s good to know where they are and who lands where so that you’ll be ready to put in your waiver claims if things do change.

Keep coming back to FantasyCPR as we gear up for week one with rankings, injury updates, and projections as kickoff is just around the corner!