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 roster. 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.

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Kirk Cousins QB, Redskins: After a game like Week 4’s Thursday night meltdown, anyone who owned him would be compelled to drop Kirk Cousins off of a cliff, and I wouldn’t blame you. I’ve never been smitten with the guy though, as my colleagues can attest, due to the streaky nature of his play. He did have a 4 to 7 TD to INT ratio in 5 games last year after all. I would like to be positive and say that he deserves a second chance in lineups, but he faces Seattle and Arizona next. Let someone else deal with that headache.

VERDICT: CUT BAIT

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Riley Cooper WR, Eagles: Last year’s racist sweetheart, Cooper has played more snaps than most receivers in the league, yet it hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet. It’s because he’s in on all those plays to block. With Maclin, Ertz, Matthews, and Sproles all proving to be capable options, Cooper is the odd man out. Feel free to move on.

VERDICT: CUT BAIT

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Charles Clay TE, Dolphins: Clay has been playing hurt so far this season, and it shows. He’s second on the team in targets, but he hasn’t been able to do anything with those looks. Clay will have better days ahead, but I wouldn’t put him in my lineup until he proves he belongs there. With guys like Larry Donnell and Dwayne Allen owned in only half of leagues, there are more solid options out there right now.

VERDICT: CUT BAIT

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Dwayne Bowe WR, Chiefs: Different season, same story. Bowe is useless at the end of Alex Smith’s arm. The one good game he has in your flex won’t make up for the four that he bombs in – and rest assured, he will bomb often. There are much more exciting prospects like Allen Robinson and Davante Adams on the wire.

VERDICT: CUT BAIT

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Maurice Jones-Drew RB, Raiders: MJD may be healthy again, but he looks like a shadow of himself on the field. I don’t like using him for much of anything, but you have to hold on for the fact that McFadden will inevitably get hurt this season, per the usual.

VERDICT: JUST WAIT

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Garrett Graham TE, Texans: You would expect, with Ryan Fitzpatrick’s pint-sized arm and Bill O’Brien’s formerly tight-end-focused style, that Graham would be getting major action so far. It hasn’t happened, and I wouldn’t wait around for him to turn it on. The Texans offense is predicated on the run, and with DeAndre Hopkins becoming a focal point of the passing game, there isn’t much left for Graham.

VERDICT: CUT BAIT

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Jarrett Boykin WR, Packers: Boykin has been dropping too many balls, and it’s probably because he hears Davante Adams’ footsteps creeping up behind him. If you haven’t caught on yet, there is a changing of the guard at the third receiver position in Green Bay. Boykin should be on waivers.

VERDICT: CUT BAIT

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Bishop Sankey RB, Titans: Sankey finally showed some life last week. Maybe he’s been working on the footwork that has supposedly been keeping him out of games. The Titans are playing too poorly on offense to keep this kid out of a major role too much longer. Hold on tightly, and if he’s been dropped in your league, pick him up.

VERDICT: JUST WAIT

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Justin Hunter WR, Titans: One of my favorite preseason candidates for a breakout, Hunter seems to have stepped in where Kenny Britt left of in Nashville as an underwhelming fantasy play. I have to believe Hunter will improve, but Jake Locker is not doing anything to help him. If he can’t get anything going this week, even if Charlie Whitehurst is QB in what should be a shoot out with the Colts, it’s time to free up some roster space.

VERDICT: JUST WAIT