Sep 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Oren Burks (42) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

We're off and running with the first week of waiver wire pickups in fantasy football as Week 2 looms. But you might be thinking about which players on your roster to keep or to drop as you make those decisions.

That's what this weekly column -- a keep 'em or drop 'em debate -- aims to help with. We're going to focus on who you should hang on to or who you should definitely cut in order to pick up one of the intriguing names available.

A reminder to check out our weekly waiver wire post with all the names you should look at picking up. If you're debating which rising studs you should add and at the expense of which kind of player, we've got a helpful ladder breakdown here:

Let's dive in with names to potentially drop:

WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

It's clear there's a pecking order in the Colts' offense and Downs is No. 3. I'm close here, but it's only one week.

VERDICT: Keep him

RB Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles

He was traded to Philly on Monday night, and he could end up with a kick return role in addition to being in the mix to help Saquon Barkley out. Now, does this mean Will Shipley is bumped to RB3 with the Eagles? I can't really tell, but I don't think so. It's enough of a muddled situation to say he's dropable.

VERDICT: Drop him

RB Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders

An easy call here. He was a healthy scratch in Week 1 and Jacory Croskey-Merritt lived up to the hype.

VERDICT: Drop him

RB Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys

This one depends on your situation. He was inactive, but Miles Sanders was blah outside of a 49-yard run (he also fumbled). So I'll say keep him for now if you can.

VERDICT: Keep him

RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns

Yikes. He was BAD. Like, BAD BAD. And the Browns have Quinshon Judkins signed and Dylan Sampson looked good. I think it's OK to let him go.

VERDICT: Drop him

QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Sigh. That was a rough first game for Young. If you feel the need to pick up Daniel Jones (I can't believe I'm saying that!) and think Young is taking a step back, sure. I just think there are better days ahead. You're not starting him next week, but this is a situation to keep an eye on.

VERDICT: Keep him

RB Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

If you can stash him, that may pay off. But with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell ahead of him, the rookie is a drop candidate. I'm holding on if I drafted him... but not for long.

VERDICT: Keep him

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy football waiver wire Week 2: 7 drop candidates to debate

Reporting by Charles Curtis, For The Win / For The Win

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