One question I get asked often is how should I value injured players in fantasy football. It is a difficult question to answer because everyone views and values players differently.
That being said, here are eight injured players whom you should proactively trade for now.
David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears
ESPN's Dan Graziano reported yesterday that Montgomery will miss four to five weeks with a knee injury. Following the injury, Montgomery has plummeted all the way to No. 75 overall in Eric Karabell's rest-of-season (ROS) rankings. As Sun Tzu mentioned in "The Art of War": "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." Does this present a window to buy low on Montgomery? I believe it does because few running backs are seeing the number of opportunities (rushing attempts plus targets) per game that he has been provided. The only other RBs who have averaged more than Montgomery (20.7) since Week 1 of the 2020 season are Christian McCaffrey (21.0), Joe Mixon (23.8), Dalvin Cook (24.1) and Derrick Henry (26.9).
Fortunately, Montgomery has avoided a torn ACL. He'll miss the Bears' upcoming games against the Raiders, Packers, Buccaneers and 49ers. Montgomery could return to the fold in Week 9 against the Steelers, although a more realistic scenario is that the Bears might rest him through their Week 10 bye. Montgomery is an intriguing trade target for an undefeated or one-loss fantasy team looking with adequate depth with the ability to take on some additional risk that could turn into a reward during the playoffs. Robert Woods, Myles Gaskin, DeVonta Smith, Kyle Pitts, Michael Pittman Jr. and Mike Davis are players ranked similarly to Montgomery.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
ESPN's David Newton reported McCaffrey "could return next week but maybe more likely in two weeks." Now is a perfect time to send trade offers to acquire this dynamic running back who has a particular set of skills. Many managers are hoping that McCaffrey returns against the Vikings in Week 6. Minnesota (25.52) has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game to RBs. The Panthers will ultimately tread lightly with McCaffrey. As a reminder, he signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with Carolina last year but played in just three games in 2020 because of ankle and shoulder injuries. McCaffrey's a week winner when on the field, however, and has averaged 23.6 opportunities and 25.8 points per game since 2018.
McCaffrey is No. 3 overall in Karabell's ROS rankings. Alvin Kamara, Saquon Barkley, and Jonathan Taylor are a few names that are ranked similarly to McCaffrey. If you drafted an early-round RB and have adequate depth with players such as D'Andre Swift, James Robinson, Chris Carson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Kareem Hunt, you could trade for McCaffrey and be comfortable waiting for his return.
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
Thomas is someone you should aggressively target in trades right now. We were so accustomed to an explosive Saints offense, you might feel like you're in the multiverse with how New Orleans' offense has looked this season. The Saints (276.8) rank 28th in total yards per game, while Jameis Winston is averaging 21.2 pass attempts per game. Marquez Callaway has failed his audition as the Saints No. 1 WR.
New Orleans is calling out for a wide receiver hero, and Thomas will heed the call soon. He remains on the reserve/physically unable to perform list because of his ankle injury and subsequent surgery. Thomas will be eligible to return for the Saints' Week 8 matchup against a Tampa Bay team allowing the most points per game to WRs. He's ranked outside of the top 100 overall in Karabell's rankings, and he is No. 46 in Karabell's WR rankings. If you could trade away Jakobi Meyers, Robby Anderson or Marvin Jones Jr. and acquire Thomas, those are deals worth making. Since 2017, Thomas has averaged 9.8 targets, 87.5 receiving yards and 18.9 points per game in 55 active games.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
Jeudy should be one of your primary trade targets right now. He's recovering from a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1. The word on the street suggests Jeudy could return in Week 7 or 8. The Broncos' bye is in Week 11. Jeudy had a phenomenal training camp in which his defensive teammates called him "uncoverable." Prior to his injury, he led the Broncos with 72 receiving yards despite playing 31 snaps. Many make the mistake of underestimating how impressive Jeudy was during his rookie season. On the surface, he caught only 52 of 113 targets for 856 receiving yards and three touchdowns playing without Courtland Sutton for all but one game. However, here is an alternate view of Jeudy's rookie season.
Jeudy accumulated an astounding 1,522 receiving air yards (indicates how far a pass traveled in the air before it was caught). The only other receivers with more last season were DJ Moore (1,545), DK Metcalf (1,687), Tyreek Hill (1,713), Stefon Diggs (1,713) and Calvin Ridley (2,052). Jeudy also led the Broncos in targets and commanded 30% of the team's receiving air yards. His role in the Broncos' offense is irreplaceable. Jeudy creates separation from defenders and is not afraid of making catches over the middle. He has the potential to become one of the top receivers in the NFL and a league winner for your fantasy team.
A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans
Brown is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, but that shouldn't dissuade you. He has dealt with injuries in the past and has thrived. Brown missed two games in 2020 with a significant knee bruise, but he still averaged 7.6 targets, 5 receptions, 76.6 receiving yards and 18 fantasy points per game. During that season, the Ole Miss product exceeded his targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdown totals from 2019 despite playing in two fewer games.
He's No. 45 overall in Karabell's rankings, right around the same range as players such as Mike Williams, Chase Edmonds and James Conner. The Titans have the third-easiest ROS schedule, according to Clay. His teammate Jones is also an intriguing trade target.
Julio Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans
Jones is also dealing with a hamstring injury with a similar timetable as Brown. He amassed 15 targets and 157 receiving yards in Weeks 1 and 2. This ultimately provided us a taste of what Jones is capable of while playing alongside Brown. He's at No. 60 overall in Karabell's rankings. Those with Cordarrelle Patterson on their teams should consider trading him straight up for Jones.
Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Gallup was touted as a breakout candidate this offseason. and his 2021 was getting off to a great start against the Buccaneers in Week 1 before he departed with a calf injury, ultimately leading to a spot on injured reserve. He's someone you should trade for to get exposure to one of the NFL's most productive offenses. The Cowboys (420.8) rank third in total yards per game behind the Chiefs (427.5) and Cardinals (440.5) and, this may come as a surprise, Gallup ended last season with the most receiving air yards (1,243) among Dallas receivers. Now is a good time to acquire him via a trade. The Cowboys have the 11th-easiest ROS schedule, and Gallup has a good chance to reemerge as the WR3 you never knew you needed.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns
Landry is still considered week-to-week with a sprained medial collateral ligament, but this was his first injury-related absence since being drafted in 2014. Landry is on injured reserve, but he's eligible to return in Week 6 against the Cardinals. The veteran receiver with terrific hands has averaged 7.9 targets, 61 receiving yards and 13.2 points per game. It's clear from watching the Browns over the past weeks that Landry is an important piece of Cleveland's offense, yet while injured he's out of sight and out of the mind for many managers. Landry is also not ranked in the top 100 overall ROS rankings. You should use that to your advantage; he is a solid WR3 you should feel comfortable starting each week.