Each of us has that player on our team that has a big name – or a stellar performance just under the surface – that is keeping them on our rosters. Things change quickly in fantasy though, and the key is to know when to disregard the pedigree and move on to new blood or stick with it for one more week. Here’s my take on what to do with some of the guys who are giving owners fits in fantasy going into Week 8.

 

Antone Smith RB, Falcons: Week 7 seven showed the dangers of owning a player like Smith with a .9 pt. effort in standard leagues. It’s not like his snaps went down, as he’s never gotten that many. Smith relies on big gains with few touches, and it’s panned out for him up until last week, but you can’t bank on him breaking one of every week. He’s still the best back on the team though, and there’s worth in holding onto him in hopes that the coaching staff realizes it.

Just Wait

 

Jared Cook TE, Rams: Cook has been vultured by Lance Kendricks for TDs in each of the last two games, and without scores, he looks very pedestrian in fantasy leagues. There have been a lot of options for QB Austin Davis this season, so Cook is not a necessity on offense. It helps his chances that Kenny Britt is out though, and Davis gets better every week it seems. Cook could actually see some consistency as the season heads into the playoff.

Just Wait

 

Brian Hartline WR, Dolphins: TE Charles Clay is regaining his health, WR Jarvis Landry is coming on, and QB Ryan Tannehill is vibing with Mike Wallace. It’s been the perfect storm for a Hartline shipwreck in fantasy. I don’t see him coming back from this one unless another injury occurs.

Cut Bait

 

Devin Hester WR, Falcons: It was nice while it lasted but Hester has been a negligible fantasy factor for three straight weeks. Unless you get points for return yards, Hester is more than expendable.

Cut Bait

 

Tim Wright TE, Patriots: Wright has heaps of potential as the “move” TE in New England, but these goose eggs almost every other week are no good for fantasy. It doesn’t help that he’s on a team that thrives on the element of surprise as far as offensive schemes go. What works in his favor is that there aren’t many reliable receivers on the team. I have a feeling Brady is going to rely on him more late into the season.

Just Wait.

 

John Brown WR, Cardinals: Brown hasn’t been killing it on the stat sheet, but he’s had fewer than 5 targets only once this season. He’s not going to light it up every week, but he plays almost half the snaps every game and Brown is always a threat to score and the Cardinals feel like he is a future superstar. Keep him around.

Just Wait

 

Storm Johnson RB, Jaguars: It’s Denard Robinson’s backfield until further notice, and I get the feeling that the coaching staff in Jacksonville doesn’t like Johnson any more than Toby Gerhart. When Gerhart gets back, I don’t think Johnson will make a dent in fantasy.

Cut Bait

 

Eric Ebron TE, Lions: Ebron is out this week, and it’s seemed like he’s been absent for the past two. Ebron is going to be a beast one day, but it won’t be soon He’s droppable outside of dynasty leagues.

Cut Bait