As we begin to enter week 3 it is going to be easy for some fantasy owners to panic. With the serious amount of injuries or criminal proceedings that have had a major affect on some of the top players in this league it would be easy to do so.

Are you 0-2? Hell are you 2 – 0 but just lost AJ Green (CIN) or Jamaal Charles (KC) to an injury that no one seems to know how to diagnose the length of the injury? Both of those scenarios will make it very easy to panic. But I am here to tell you that it is okay.

At my day job in a plush start up located in Midtown NY, we live and die by our core values. I am sure most of you want to know why I am even bringing that up, and the answer is simple. Our core values are what will allow us to sink or swim, and they can easily be attributed to nearly every real life situation including one that involves a fake situation.

If you put them into perspective each one of these following core values will absolutely keep your team a float even in a time of crisis.

It’s Okay, players get injured all the time. Football is a contact sport it is impossible for players NOT to get hurt. Granted not every year or even every week for that matter three top players go down within the first few plays of a game nearly simultaneously. But, it happens, and although it may have happened to you, it’s okay, because when one player goes down another one has to emerge in its place.

Fix it, Don’t Complain. There is absolutely nothing you can do about those injuries. If you take too much time sitting around in pity as you see that big goose egg in your win column you will inevitably stay there. Players materialize all the time, make sure you are quick to understand who should and shouldn’t be swiped from the waiver wire.

Never Ever Give Up. Yes, you may be 0 – 2, in last place and have the smallest point total of all other teams in your league. Hell, you may be in first place but have just lost your star first round player, but that is no reason to give up. While the fantasy season may not be as long as the NFL regular season, you’re only two games in, and have plenty of time to catch up or turn it around.

As always I will list out below a group of players that still as of Thursday are owned in less than 25% of ESPN leagues. These guys can easily add value to any fantasy roster specifically if you are down a man or two.

*Percent Owned will be marked as ESPN | YAHOO | NFL*

Kirk Cousins (WSH): Did you hedge your bets this year by selecting RGIII in the later rounds hoping he would return to his rookie form? Did you then cry a little when he went down with a dislocated ankle in the first quarter? Did you even know you could dislocate your ankle? If you were, no worries, as Kirk Cousins is here to the rescue. Cousins (23.1 | 42 | 17.6) debuted shortly after Griffin went down and played masterfully throwing for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns good for 22 fantasy points. Of course this isn’t the first time we have seen Cousins as in 2013 he threw for 854 yards and 4 TDs on 81 completions when RGIII went down with injury late last season. However, it was his impressive pre-season numbers that has everyone excited as the former Michigan St. standout threw for 370 yards on 35 of 54 passes with 4 TDs and just 1 interception. This week Kirk and the Skins face the Eagles who are the 26^th ranked defense against opposing QBs coming off of two 20-point games including 24 to Andrew Luck (IND) on Monday Night Football.  

Ryan Tannehill (MIA): Tannehill is one of those quietly above average players. He may not be the 25 – 30 point player you want but he absolutely can step in and get you some well deserved scoring each week. Tannehill (16.6 | 41| 56.1) is currently averaging 15.5 points per game with 419 yards 3 TDs 2 INTs and happens to be facing the 30^th defense against QBs this week when the Dolphins host the battle wounded Chiefs. The Chiefs have given up 50 fantasy points through two weeks to opposing quarterbacks including 23 points to Jake Locker (TEN) in week 1 which will certainly bode well for the former Texas A&M signal caller. Tannehill was an unimpressive 0 for 6 on passes of over 15 yards last week but going against a team that has given up 5 passing TDs and over 500 passing yards through two weeks might be just be what the doctor ordered.

Bobby Rainey (TB): Doug Martin (TB) who? With Martin in the doghouse “hurt” and with consistent fumbling problems, Rainey (19.4 | 42.3 | 48) stepped up nicely in week 2 gaining 144 yards on just 22 carries while catching 3 passes for another 30 yards. Although Rainey didn’t find the end zone last week he did in week 1 and that was with Martin active. The Bucs make the trip to Atlanta tonight to take on the Falcons on Thursday Night Football which portends well for Rainey. The Falcons have given up the most points to opposing running backs through two weeks and has a history of giving up triple digits to Rainey in the past. During Rainey’s week 10 match up against the Falcons last season, Rainey torched the Falcons D with 163 rushing yards and a combined 3 touchdowns. It is still up in the air where Martin lies within the teams favor, and with Mike James (TB) also floating around the backfield is a bit cloudy. However, Rainey was the one to get the nod last week and if Martin continues to struggle it should be Rainey to pick up the pieces.

Mohamud Sanu (CIN): Another player that significantly benefited from the loss of AJ Green, Sanu (9.1 | 33 | 22.7) immediately made an impact when he connected with Brandon Tate (CIN) on a 50 yard pass, that is right, Sanu also threw for 50 yards last week. Later in the game Sanu caught a 76-yard pass that went to the house that helped propel the Bengals to victory. Sanu finished with 3 catches for 84 yards and the score but was immediately looked at by the Bengals to be the guy to step up.  Sanu, who saw 77 targets last season and is already on pace to break that number with 9 targets through two weeks, is facing the 7^th best team against opposing wide outs. Although the Titans are ranked high overall against wide receivers they tend to give up a lot of catches and yards to one individual with Donnie Avery (KC) in week 1 and Dez Bryant (DAL) in week 2 being those individuals. Sanu may not be the caliber wide out of a Dez Bryant but he is a a better option than Avery and as he continues to see more targets the Titans should have their hands full.

Brian Quick (STL): St. Louis Rams haven’t had a consistent WR since Torry Holt or Isaac Bruce but that may be changing rather quickly as Brian Quick (22.4 | 32 | 3.1) is beginning to emerge. In just two weeks Quick has caught 14 passes for 173 yards and although he hasn’t found the end zone just yet he is producing and that’s all we as Fantasy Football players can ask for.  Quick is currently averaging 15 points a game and is facing a Dallas Cowboys team that has giving up the 3^rd fewest points to opposing WRs. Despite the Cowboys overall numbers being solid on the defensive side there is no getting away from Anquan Boldins (SF) 8 catches 99-yard performance in week 1 or the fact that they were ranked the 9^th worst defense against WRs in 2013. With the tumultuous situations brewing all over St. Louis, the bright spot has been Quick and it should continue to be.

Larry Donnell (NYG):  The only Giant to actually catch passes Donnell has been a nice surprise in New York. Donnell (2.8 | 14.5 | 34) a second year player from Grambling State is averaging 15.5 points per game and is leading the team in both receptions with 12 and yards with 137 also has a TD to his stat book through two weeks. Clearly Eli is becoming more comfortable with the young tight end as his targets, receptions and yards have increased from week 1 to week 2.  The Texans are 10^th in the league against opposing TEs giving up only 19 total fantasy points, but in Donnell’s defense their first two games were against the Redskins and Raiders who have pretty week TE cores. With the Giants undoubtedly playing from behind early look for the ball to be going Donnell’s way until he proves he can’t handle the limelight.

I know you may be running to the trade opportunities, and I know you may be freaking out, but It’s okay, don’t complain, fix it, and never ever give up. If you believe in those values you can turn your fantasy team around in no time.

As always check me out on Twitter leading right up until game time with any start / sit questions @JustinMandaro