Drafting Injured/Injury-Prone Players (1 Viewer)

[evilempire]

Every year we read in magazines, FBG and other internet sites about not drafting guys who are injury prone. We know the normal cast of characters -- SJax/Westy/Warner/BJacobs among others -- and with injuries to guys like Donnie Avery and Steve Smith in the last few days it seems that caution should be exercised.

Does anyone simply toss out guys who seem to be constantly injured, or just knock them down a few pegs on their board? I see a ton of people saying they won't draft SJax because he never makes it through a complete season, yet Warner has consistently been the fifth or sixth QB taken in a lot of mocks I've seen yet he's made it through a full season twice.

What kind of injuries -- assuming they aren't season ending -- make you completely shy away from a player? Avery was a hot pick as a rising WR this year, but now I would assume he's dropping a bit due to being out 4-6 weeks with his injury.

I always worry about leg/foot injuries for backs and receivers more than anything else because they correlate directly to explosiveness, change of direction, etc. That's why this Avery thing worries me more than Smith's. For a QB, it's never good when an arm/elbow are involved, much like Carson Palmer last year. I would be more worried about that than the garden variety hammy/ankle tweak for a QB since they don't run around nearly as much.

How much do you worry about injuries when formulating a draft strategy?

 

[Maven]

It depends....

I think toes injuries are a definite red flag. The list is of players it has hampered is too long. I might pass on those players...

We've seen players come off of major knee surgery and bounce back the following year.

For example Brady this year...he was never a mobile QB, he should return fine.

Age and weight have to play a factor somehow...as well as position and how often they rely on that injured limb (ex QB knee vs RB). In addition, playing style...the bruiser types are more likely to occur or re-occur an injury.

Of course all players arent the same and they all heal differently. Research and weigh all possibilities before selecting an injured player. Maybe draft a reliable backup early to cover yourself. What are the risk/rewards?

The reality is this is a tough sport, players will and can get injured at any moment. If you do your research and plan accordingly, youll be happy you took Sjax #1 overall! haha jk

just my opinions

 

[evilempire]

It depends....I think toes injuries are a definite red flag. The list is of players it has hampered is too long. I might pass on those players...We've seen players come off of major knee surgery and bounce back the following year.For example Brady this year...he was never a mobile QB, he should return fine.Age and weight have to play a factor somehow...as well as position and how often they rely on that injured limb (ex QB knee vs RB). In addition, playing style...the bruiser types are more likely to occur or re-occur an injury.Of course all players arent the same and they all heal differently. Research and weigh all possibilities before selecting an injured player. Maybe draft a reliable backup early to cover yourself. What are the risk/rewards?The reality is this is a tough sport, players will and can get injured at any moment. If you do your research and plan accordingly, youll be happy you took Sjax #1 overall! haha jk just my opinions

I'm actually taking SJax No. 2 ... teaming him with Peterson in my money league. I'm in the minority but I think he ends up with a big season ... just hope he's around for the playoff run. To that end I'll probably draft another back a bit higher than I probably should just to be safe.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I'm actually taking SJax No. 2 ... teaming him with Peterson in my money league.

You're in a money league where you get the first 2 picks?

 

[evilempire]

I'm actually taking SJax No. 2 ... teaming him with Peterson in my money league.

You're in a money league where you get the first 2 picks?

I don't get the first two picks, I get the second pick. Originally had the seventh but traded Andre Johnson to the guy with the second pick (could only keep one of Peterson/AJ and went with Peterson so wanted to get something for AJ instead of just throwing him back). The guy with the first pick is almost certainly taking MJD, then I'm taking SJax.