Malik Nabers vs Trey McBride

“We don't yet know the full timeline for Malik Nabers' recovery from a torn ACL and MCL, but there is a real chance he could end up on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start the season. If he does, and he misses the first four weeks of the season, Nabers can't be drafted as the WR11 at the beginning of the third round.”

“At his current cost, you are drafting him near his best-case scenario while ignoring the likely downside tied to recovery and early-season usage. Nabers is priced too aggressively on Sleeper, and the ADP simply does not leave enough room for the injury risk you will be facing.”

“Malik Nabers is one of the NFL's elite young receivers. His Sleeper ADP bakes in a full, immediate return to dominance despite real uncertainty coming off a major knee injury. Nabers tore both his ACL and meniscus, missed nearly the entire season and required a second procedure during rehab.”

“Harbaugh mentioned that the last few weeks have been encouraging and that Nabers is "doing great" and "made some real good progress in the last few weeks," though he will still be "building his way back to his ultimate full strength self" when he returns from his knee injury.”

“Malik Nabers is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 4. New York HC John Harbaugh said Nabers is spending a lot of time rehabbing at the team facility and is making "really good progress." Harbaugh added that Nabers is still around "70 percent" through his rehab.”

“Last year, he averaged 10.7 targets and 17.7 PPR fantasy points per game in his three healthy contests. Unfortunately, Nabers suffered a torn ACL in Week 4. More importantly, he recently underwent a second surgery to clean up his knee, putting his status for Week 1 in doubt.”

“Nabers and Jaxson Dart should have developed a strong connection by the fantasy playoffs. Last year, the Cowboys and the Lions surrendered the most and second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.”

“Nabers underwent a 'cleanup' procedure on his right knee earlier in the offseason, removing scar tissue that was causing stiffness in his surgically repaired knee. His first surgery was for a torn ACL and a full meniscus repair, and the multi-ligament procedure combined with the secondary surgery represents a significant concern. Drafting Nabers as a WR1 in 12-team leagues or larger is entirely too ambitious given the significance of his injury and the likelihood of him missing time early in the year.”

“Take Malik Nabers, for example. Early in draft season, he was going near the end of the second round. Now, with the Giants adding WRs and his injury potentially lingering into Week 1, that early price looks a lot more fragile.”

“Giants HC John Harbaugh told reporters that WR Malik Nabers' rehab from knee surgery is complicated, noting it's not a simple knee injury. Harbaugh said the goal is for Nabers to start the season and get out there sometime in training camp, but it remains to be seen whether that will be the case.”

“With Malik Nabers (knee) being iffy for Week 1, this move helps provide depth the Giants wide receiver.”

“This conversation about his recent procedure to clean out scar tissue in his knee has me really worried about his availability to begin the regular season.”

“Trey McBride broke franchise records and officially stamped his mark as one of the best TEs in football. McBride racked up 315 PPR points, tying Travis Kelce's legendary 2022 season for the most at the position in over 15 years. Brissett absolutely unlocked him in the red zone, connecting for 10 TDs.”

“McBride caught fire with positive touchdown regression while the Cardinals led the league in passing, and he ran 67 more routes than any tight end in at least 20 years.”

“Last season, McBride averaged 18.6 PPR points per game, and Bowers averaged 15.5 in 2024, the better season of his two years in the NFL. It's incredibly hard for tight ends to score as highly as the top wide receivers and running backs, and both elite tight ends still have issues to face.”

“Trey McBride will continue to lead the way, but Yeboah could emerge as a backup ahead of the likes of Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, Teagan Quitoriano, Jameson Geers, and Rivaldo Fairweather.”

“He saw a truly absurd 1.93 end-zone targets per game, per the Fantasy Points Data Suite. No other player with as many games played was above 1.06 (Trey McBride).”

“The tight end position remains the toughest position to navigate in fantasy football, and if you don't pay up for a top stud like Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, finding the next mid-to-late-round breakout is key.”

“McBride was the TE1 in total half-PPR points (252.9) and half-PPR points per game (14.9) in 2025. However, McBride's 667 routes run were the most by a tight end in 2025, 156 clear of Travis Kelce's 511 routes in second, and the Cardinals shouldn't be expected to lead the NFL in pass rate over expectation again with Mike LaFleur as their new head coach. Additionally, Jacoby Brissett is currently holding out and the Cardinals drafted Carson Beck in the third round, meaning McBride could be saddled by rookie quarterback play during the fantasy playoffs.”

“Nobody questioned McBride's talent, but there were concerns about repeating last season's massive workload and production. Changes within Arizona's offense and questions about future quarterback stability create enough uncertainty for some drafters to rank him behind Bowers.”

“Trey McBride shattered the NFL record for receptions.”