Fantasy football provides little room error.
If you’re reading this and your team is 1-2 or 0-3, you might be panicking, and frankly, I wouldn’t blame you.
Fortunately, in life, the McDonald’s breakfast menu and fantasy football, there are options which can lead to longer term solutions.
Here are five players that can provide the necessary spark your team needs to get back on the positive side of the .500-mark.
Jordan Cameron, TE Browns
For now, Cleveland’s best offensive weapon is still available in about 22 percent of ESPN.com leagues. That will not be the case after Tuesday’s waiver moves are finalized. The 6-5 Cameron feasted on a beleaguered Vikings defense for three touchdowns, including the game-winner.
If you are in a league where Cameron is still hanging around on the free agent wire, do whatever you can, up to, and including, giving plasma or calling your congressman, to own him.
He is a must-start in all formats going forward.
Phillip Rivers, QB Chargers
If you own a struggling signal caller, such as Colin Kaepernick, Michael Vick, Eli Manning, Matt Schaub or RG III, to name a few, you might be looking for a week-to-week solution that won’t cost you an early-round skill position player.
How about Rivers?
His first three games in 2013 have been good for 798 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. During the same span a year ago, Rivers threw for 110 less yards, four TDs and three picks.
San Diego’s below average defense, combined with a porous running game should provide for plenty of must-throw situations for the Chargers gun-slinger.
Bilal Powell, RB Jets
As tough as it is for me to recommend any Jets players as a viable fantasy option this season, you could do worse than Powell. He will be an attractive free agent add after ripping through the Bills’ defense to the tune of 149 yards on 27 carries.
Against the Titans this Sunday, Powell looks like a fine flex play with so many running backs struggling.
Brian Hartline, WR Dolphins
Anyone who has watched Miami’s passing offense this season knows two things: Mike Wallace is an incredible talent, but he simply can’t be trusted to produce on a weekly basis.
That’s where Hartline comes in.
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill hasn’t reached the stage of his career where he is spraying the ball all over the field like Brady, Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers does, but he looks Hartline’s way a lot (29 targets through three games).
And if you’re in a PPR league, and Hartline is still somehow available, grab him. Now. He’s owned in less than half of ESPN’s standard leagues, too.
Chiefs Defense/Special Teams
Kansas City has notched 18 sacks and two touchdowns during its impressive start.
Last Thursday, the Chiefs manhandled Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense and harassed Michael Vick all night. Kansas City gets Eli Manning and the floundering Giants at home in Week 4, followed by the Titans, Raiders, Texans, Browns and Bills in Weeks 5 through 9.
This up-and-coming unit is still out there in 60 percent of ESPN standard leagues.
