Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout Trout is undoubtedly the best player in Major League Baseball. He is also a future Hall of Famer, an iconic legend, and someone that almost every fantasy manager loves. Trout was not a reasonable candidate to be the first pick in 2022 fantasy baseball drafts. He misses countless games, which frustrates fantasy mangers. Trout missed 35% of his team’s games over the four years prior to 2022. This is excluding the pandemic-truncated 2020 year. Do you want to rush to buy a player in the first round that has played only 65% of his team’s games over a four year period?
Carolina Panthers Running back Christian McCaffrey He became a fantasy hero during the 2018 season. Then, he was even better in 2019, reaching 2,400 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns. He Catched There were 116 passes and it was clear that fantasy managers would select the first pick in 2020’s PPR drafts. McCaffrey had a remarkable season. He missed no game in his three previous NFL campaigns. McCaffrey was generously rewarded by the Panthers, who gave him a lucrative contract. Hmmm, that sounds familiar. A fantasy superstar who was rarely absent from games during his early years.
Then came 2020. In the NFL, it was a 16-game year. McCaffrey participated in three games. He was fantastic in those three games and averaged more than 30 points in PPR formats. However, he missed 13 games due to various illnesses. When 2021 drafts arrived, fantasy managers didn’t seem to care. I’m not sure if I actually cared. McCaffrey was the obvious first choice for 2021. McCaffrey was injured in Week 3 of 2021, and he missed more than a full month. He was back, played well for a while but not up to his usual standards. Then he was gone again. Seven games out of 17, a second consecutive failure. It seems it We have to take care now.
McCaffrey — Who many in fantasy football continue to admire select with the No. 2 or 3 pick Just behind in the PPR leagues Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor Perhaps even Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp — Played in 10 out of 33 possible games over the past two years, or 30%. Trout almost looks like Cal Ripken Jr. Yet, it is still perplexing to see how fantasy managers forget how crucial durability is for determining fantasy value. It’s great to have McCaffrey and Trout when they play, and their respective statistical upsides almost without peer. But these missed games really matter! They are now struggling with their health.
There is no definitive answer as to when McCaffrey should join PPR leagues. It comes down ultimately to comfort level, which is the optimal risk-versus-reward situation. McCaffrey should be able to stay healthy and remain productive during the 17 regular-season matches. They are amazing talents and breathtaking to see perform, just like Trout. No one wants to see injuries. It’s more than fantasy. As football fans and as baseball fans, we feel robbed by the inability to see these iconic players at their peak years. If they didn’t have to miss any games or a very small number of them, it would be easy. This has not been the case. McCaffrey may see things changing in 2022. Trout was not among them. He was on the injured reserve prior to the All Star break.
However, even though one season is often missed can be considered as being fluky, it’s difficult to feel the exact same way when there are several consecutive seasons. Trout used to be a reliable fish. He missed five games during each of his six-month seasons from 2013 to 2016. Only one question would be asked: Who should we choose as No. No matter what format, 2 in drafts. Trout was a monster statistician and earned MVP awards. We hoped this would not end. Then came 2017, with 48 missed games due a thumb injury. His performance was hardly slowed when he played. Trout played enough — regardless of the circumstances Enough It is — 2018 and 2019 for most fantasy managers to ignore 2017. Then there was 2021, and a strain right calf. Trout missed 78% games. Trout also lost one of his key attributes, as he no longer stole bases.
McCaffrey’s stats aren’t something we are concerned about yet. But if McCaffrey’s workload is reduced by the Panthers, for example in goal line or short-yardage running attempts or in passing, it would certainly alter his intrinsic value just like Trout not being a five category fantasy producer. McCaffrey’s woes caused enough concern for the Panthers to offer D’Onta Foreman a one-year contract. You can mock or ignore the signing, but Foreman impressed upon joining the team. Tennessee Titans Last season after the Derrick Henry injury. In five games, the bruising Foreman ran 100 yards and scored three touchdowns. He is estimated to be 240 pounds. McCaffrey could be 200 pounds. These facts were considered by the Panthers and they decided to help McCaffrey in some way.
McCaffrey may be the fantasy investor’s best friend, but it is true. While there was some running back depth in the first rounds, many options didn’t make it to 2021. Los Angeles Chargers Star Austin Ekeler And Pittsburgh Steelers Senior Najee Harris They did not, they all topped 300 points in PPR. Cincinnati Bengals starter Joe Mixon The Titans’ Henry was not far behind, but surely he would have exceeded the mark if he had not missed half of the season because of a foot injury. McCaffrey is safer than Henry. Henry has suffered one injury, though it was serious. It’s the McCaffrey who has the smaller injury. Although it isn’t a serious one, it causes a lot of issues that few would call chronic. But they continue to happen. Although he is a great at breaking tackles and can do it well, his body may not be able to handle the punishment at 26.
With McCaffrey, Trout it all comes down to comfort. Based on current fantasy baseball, I placed Trout outside of my top 20 preseason drafts. Player RaterEven I was too generous. Trout ranks just 50th on the Rater with a modest batting percentage, one stolen base, and two missed games per game by the All Star break.
McCaffrey’s game is quite different. He might be able to rock in 10 Carolina games, and his smart fantasy investors can roster enough running back depth — maybe even Carolina’s — to make up the gaps. This is a sensible strategy. McCaffrey might not miss any games. However, based on his two seasons so far, it seems unlikely. McCaffrey is considered a first-rounder, but I don’t think he ranks among the top five runningbacks. The durability factor is something we cannot overlook. While fantasy football’s Mike Trout is a great resource, don’t forget the huge risk.