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.

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Cordarrelle Patterson WR, Vikings: We’ve had such high hopes for Cordarrelle that it makes his lackluster season that much more painful to watch. After charging out of the gates with a throbbing Week 1 monster, little to nothing has been seen from him, which is surprising since he’s Minnesota’s best athlete now that Adrian Peterson’s gone. Maybe it’s like last season when it took several weeks before the offensive coaching staff figured out what to do with him. I can only hope that’s the case, because not utilizing CPat when you have few playmakers is unforgivable. I still think he’ll get things going. He’s too talented not to.

Just wait.

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Tom Brady QB, Patriots: Brady is kind of a sacred cow to many in football, but I can’t ignore that he looks like Christian Ponder’s taller twin on the field. Derek Carr, Geno Smith, and E. J. Manuel have more fantasy points, and E.J. Manuel just got benched for Kyle Orton. Brady’s supporting cast isn’t good enough to make up for his declining skill set. Should you drop him in your league? Well, I already have.

Cut bait.

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Bobby Rainey RB, Buccaneers: News of a timeshare in Tampa proved to be dubious for Rainey after a four-carry Week 4, and many are wondering if Rainey is worth the roster spot. I don’t think things have yet settled in the Bucs backfield, and Rainey is worth holding for at least one more week. Plus, I’m pretty sure the The RosterWatch Computer (our own Robot Genius) loves him this week.

Just wait. (on Rainey … and the Robot Genius’ first outputs of 2014 this week.)

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Cecil Shorts WR, Jaguars: Cecil Shorts is starting to resemble Miles Austin in his last couple of years in Dallas with his nagging hamstring injuries, and we know how that turned out for fantasy owners. Shorts is probably going to be week-to-week for most of the season, and that’s not good enough for a player who we’ve come to rely on for his often unspectacular but consistent output.

Cut bait.

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Justin Hunter WR, Titans: Well, I gave him his week.

Cut bait.

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Bernard Pierce RB, Ravens: Pierce is playing behind both Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro. If you can’t beat out a smallish journeyman or a raw rookie, how good can you really be? Well, we’ve told you from jump street that Pierce just isn’t that good.

Cut bait.

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Adrian Peterson RB, Vikings: It seems so strange that we may have seen the last of our generation’s most talented running back. It’s hard to say he’ll never play again, due to the forgetful nature of our society, but the Vikings have stated that he is not in their future plans- though I have to think they’re reevaluating that statement after Week 5’s Thursday Night drubbing. It’s advisable to wait until we know his court date before we let go entirely, but don’t go 1-4 because you’re holding out hope.

Just wait. (Until October 8th when we’ll get news about scheduling and possible appeals/plea deals with Montgomery County.)

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Ladarius Green TE, Chargers: Surprisingly there are too many mouths to feed in San Diego for Green to get regular looks. Eddie Royal is doing work, and Antonio Gates looks like he’s 25 out there. Green is only a hold in keeper and dynasty leagues.

Cut bait.

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LaGarrette Blount, RB Steelers: We like Blount, but Le’Veon Bell is playing better than almost every other back right now, and the Steelers aren’t good enough to keep him off the field for too long.

Cut Bait.

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Shonn Greene RB, Titans: It looks like we might be entering the era of Bishop Sankey in Tennessee, but Sankey is not a three-down back … yet. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Greene.

Just Wait.

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Donald Brown RB, Chargers: Brown’s outlook isn’t very appetizing, especially in what should be a brutal matchup with the Jets this week, but Ryan Mathews hasn’t even started to practice yet. Brown should see at least a few more starts.

Just wait. (But don’t start him Week 5.)