Ok, so everyone has that player, or players, that has/have been extremely disappointing through the first five weeks of the 2012 fantasy football season.

Now, some of these players aren’t exactly guys you’d cut, but is it time to trade some bigger name players that aren’t delivering? Can you even get enough to make it worth trading? Selling low isn’t smart, and sometimes selling at all isn’t even an option. Sometimes you have to just wait the painful stages out and hope for a rebound.

Of course, there are also players you invested in prior to Week 1 that are starting to look cut-worthy. Should you release these players? And who cracks that list?

Let’s get to it!

Don’t Give Up On ‘Em!

Cam Newton – Look, you can hate on the guy all you want, and I admit that he has been extremely disappointing as of late… that said, I just don’t get why most fantasy owners are giving up on him so quickly. He proved himself during his rookie season, and the talent was present… I know for a fact he has an elite skill set, and firmly I believe that Newt will turn it around, and those who swiftly buy-low (and be sure to buy-low!) could end up winning a league because of it. Could Newt finish out the remainder of the season in mediocre fashion? Absolutely, anything is possible, and injuries happen, and given how much Newt runs, injury isn’t out of the realm of possibility. All of that considered, keep in mind that through his five played games thus far, Newt has had a 300-yard game in Week 1, and also had 3TDs and 301 total yards in Week 4… he hasn’t exactly busted week in and week out. Again, anything can happen, know that, but I say buy-low. Top 3-5 fantasy QB upside is still in the cards if you ask me. One final note: Newt has a bye this week… frustrated owners could be even more frustrated by the week off. Attack!

Darren McFadden – What a disappointing start for McFadden owners… 32, 22, 113 and 34, those are DMac’s rushing yard totals for Weeks 1-4. McFadden had a bye in Week 5. So, what should fantasy owners expect entering Week 5? I don’t see how fantasy owners are ready to give up on DMac already. I see a lot of “is it time to call him a bust” type commentary floating around out there, and it’s head-scratching. Yes, three of his four games were disappointing in the rushing department, but in that Week 1 outing where DMac ran for just 32 yards, he pulled in 13 receptions for 89 yards. So, technically, DMac had a monster Week 1, a strong Week 3 and then two other poor showings. Buy-low if you don’t own the runner. Don’t sell-low, it’s not worth the gamble. Need trade ideas? Comment below, or jump on our fantasy football forums and get some awesome advice from one of the best fantasy forums in the industry!

Chris Johnson – He is approaching “the bubble” range for giving up on him, however, with Javon Ringer out for an extended period of time, you can bet CJ2K will be getting as many touches as the Titans can provide him. That’s often where the problem sits, though. That’ isn’t always a big number, as that TEN offense is awful. Still, I’m not saying not to sell as high as you can and cut your losses, it really just depends on what the offer is… if you have an offer or idea on the table, post it below or on our forums. Past that, ride this out and hope for the best. Cutting the guy isn’t even close to an option. Either is benching him, as you’d never forgive yourself, or CJ2K, if he dropped 200 rushing yards and a score on your bench. Again, test the trade waters, no question… then bring them to our forum.

DeMarco Murray – Murray had 131 yards in Week 1, on just 20 carries… we all thought that this was the year, right? Well, three weeks later and Murray hasn’t even come close to rushing for 131 yards again, even if you combine his last three games! Still, don’t give up on him, and you won’t likely get fair market value for Murray if you tried to shop him. I think DAL will use him more in Weeks 6-16, and he has some extra upside already having his bye. Don’t back into having yet another bye by trading him for a player yet to have his bye. Anything can happen, but I say believe!

Matthew Stafford – Let’s not get crazy here. Yes, I wish Stafford started off better as well, but two 300-yard games and a touchdown in every one of his four played games (even if he had to rush for his only TD in Week 4)…. that’s not “write him off” worthy. Believe, and buy-low if possible.

Dez Bryant – No touchdowns so far this year! I am not happy given how much I backed this guy during this past off-season. That said, he is coming off a bye, which means the Cowboys will be fresh and regrouped… also keep in mind Bryant had 8 receptions for 105 yards during his last outing. He dropped key passes, yes, he looked bad at times… still, I say trade for him on the cheap and you could see strong WR2 numbers moving forward. If you own him, I doubt you get even close to fair market value if you try shopping him, so why bother?

Kenny Britt – At the cost you likely paid to draft him (very little), don’t even consider giving up on Britt at this point. He is just getting healthy! Buy-low, he won’t cost much and could be an extreme-upside type situation with very little risk.

Things Are Not Looking Good

Jacquizz Rodgers – All he needs is the carries, but ATL has not yet committed to giving him the touches they once hoped to feed him. Cutting him is warranted in smaller leagues, however, keep an eye on him and snag him the moment Turner gets hurt, or slows down (and he will). In larger leagues, only drop him if the alternative is line-up worthy.

Jermichael Finley – Don’t go cut the guy, but he isn’t exactly a lock to stay healthy even when he returns from the shoulder injury. He has all the talent of a Rob Gronkowski, but sometimes a player can’t piece it all together. I’m not ready to write him off, but he is on the bubble, no question!

Russell Wilson – I was a year early, I admit that my bold predictions on this kid could unfold a year or so from now. I still believe he is an immense talent for a rookie and he gets no credit given the receivers that he is working with (and all the key drops he has had to deal with).

Jeremy Maclin – Is Maclin even playing right now? I joke, but honestly, I joke only because I really looked it up just now. I had to make sure he wasn’t hurt. Maclin was inactive in Week 3, and honestly, I wondered if he had been inactive ever since… His last two games: 1 reception for 7 yards, then 5 receptions for 39 yards… Now, he did have a decent start to the 2012 season, pulling in 7 balls for 96 yards and a score in Week 1, and then he pulled in a touchdown in Week 2… He is a bubble player when talking about moving on, but keep the faith a bit longer and see if he can get back to his Week 1 form.

Michael Vick – Vick is having one confusing fantasy season! In Weeks 1 and 2, he scored 4 total touchdowns, yet had 6 INTs. Wow. Then, in Weeks 3, 4 and 5, Vick had only 3 total scores, yet 0 INTs. Here is how I see Vick moving forward… Make sure you have a solid back-up, in case this guy gets hurt… I feel like I’m going to miss the season when I watch him take all the hits that he is taking… past that, keep the faith a bit longer and realize he has still thrown for 300+ yards twice and has 7 total touchdowns on the year (with INTs drastically trending down).

Time To Let Them Go (trade if possible)

Isaiah Pead – In another life. Maybe another year? Like next year? The talent is there, though, I truly believe the kid is special, but he has zero opportunity right now.

Jonathan Stewart – A timeshare specialist!

Mark Ingram – Ingram is consistent! Don’t let anyone tell you different. How so? He has had three-straight games with 5 carries. Ingram is an immense talent in a horrible situation for a back with his skill set. So far this season, here are his yardage totals per week: 15, 53, 11, 11, 16. He had one red zone touch in Week 4, the team doesn’t trust him, so neither should you – for now.