Fantasy Football Cut Candidates: Week 7

Seven weeks in, it’s time to churn the bench. The players below remain widely rostered, but their current roles point to “cuttable” in standard 10–12 team redraft leagues. If you free up a spot, make sure to check the Week 7 waiver wire targets for immediate replacements.

Fantasy Football Cut Candidates: Week 7

Kenneth Gainwell (64% rostered, RB) — Jaylen Warren is clearly in charge

The Pittsburgh Steelers backfield has tilted to Jaylen Warren. In Week 7, Warren handled 16 carries for 127 yards and added 4 catches for 31 yards, while Gainwell logged just 3 carries for 14 yards with limited passing-game work. The snap split told the same story: roughly 65% for Warren vs. ~39% for Gainwell. That’s a lead/backup profile, and Gainwell’s current role does not justify a bench spot in typical formats.

Michael Carter (56% rostered, RB) — Low volume in an untrustworthy committee

The Arizona Cardinals are down their top two backs (James Conner and Trey Benson), but the fill-in committee has not produced steady fantasy value. In Week 7, Zonovan “Bam” Knight led the way (14 carries for 57 yards; 3 catches), while Carter finished with 7 carries for 11 yards and 2 grabs for 25 yards. With Benson still sidelined and Emari Demercado out in Week 7, Knight has the early-down edge — and this backfield is more headache than help in most leagues. Also, they have a bye in Week 8, and it should not be long until Benson is back from injury reserve and takes back the starting job.

Kendrick Bourne (75% rostered, WR) — Role shrinks as the San Francisco 49ers get healthier

Bourne thrived in Weeks 5–6 when the 49ers were short on pass catchers, but Week 7 started to show the correction. With George Kittle and Jauan Jennings now back and the offense running through Christian McCaffrey, Bourne saw just 2 targets (2–14) in a controlled, defense-driven win. Ricky Pearsall is expected to return soon, which tightens the target tree further. Bourne trends back toward “boom-or-bench,” not a weekly hold.

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (53% rostered, WR) — Sub-40% snaps with Rashee Rice back

Rashee Rice’s return reshaped the Kansas City Chiefs pecking order. Brown played roughly one-third of the offensive snaps in Week 7 and turned 4 targets into a modest line (2–14–1). On a depth chart that prioritizes Rice and Travis Kelce — with Xavier Worthy and others rotating — Brown profiles as the fifth or sixth option, considering their RBs also participate in the passing game. That usage does not merit a roster spot outside deeper formats.

Jordan Love (79% rostered, QB) — Streamer, not a weekly starter

Through seven weeks, Love has produced a QB1 line just once (the Green Bay Packers vs the Dallas Cowboys shootout). Week 7 was more representative: 179 yards and 1 TD in a comeback win. In one-QB leagues, that is streamer territory. He belongs on waivers and can be added for spot starts based on byes and matchups.

Conclusion

Roster spots win seasons. Gainwell looks like a handcuff behind Warren, Carter is stuck in a committee that is not paying off, Bourne’s targets are fading as the 49ers reintegrate weapons, Brown’s snap share cratered with Rice back, and Love fits best as a matchup streamer. Cut decisively and reallocate those spots to players with clearer weekly paths to volume.