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Should You Buy Injured WRs in Dynasty?

Dynasty WR Injury Review

Season-ending Injuries often create trade value. Losing a player for the whole season leaves a hole on contending teams’ rosters. 

If they want to win the championship, trading that injured player can deliver a boost.

If you are out of the playoffs, trading for players on IR can be an even faster way to compete next year.

If you want to get out of dynasty purgatory, strategize to add cheaper injured talent. 

Wide Receivers = Best Targets

Per 4for4, WRs are more likely to return to past production after a season-ending injury than RBs. 

Our Trade Value Chart shows how prices have dipped for many WRs this season following injuries. This creates a gap between value and production if they are likely to make a full recovery.

Not Every Injured WR is a Buy

Of course, only some injured WR are worth trading for. 

Stefon Diggs will turn 31 this month and enter his age-32 season in 2025. Per our aging-curve data, he projects to have 75% of his peak production next year and 70% in 2026.

This is not even factoring in his recovery from an ACL tear.

Hollywood Brown is another name who can stay on another fantasy team. After a one-year contract from the Chiefs, he'll be a free agent again this offseason.

If Brown could only land a one-year deal last offseason, it's tough to imagine a robust market after he loses a full season to a shoulder injury. And that uncertainty makes him a high-risk bet.

With those guys out of the way, though, here are some WRs you should target ...

Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Rice tore his right LCL on Sept. 29 and had surgery. He was off to a strong start before that, with these PPR finishes:

• WR14
• WR16
• WR3

Rice still faces a potential 2025 suspension for his April hit-and-run crash.

That plus the knee recovery push down the value for a guy who should work as Patrick Mahomes' top WR for the foreseeable future.

The Best is Yet to Come

A 24-year old WR with Rice’s early production typically hasn’t yet hit his peak. Our historical aging-curve data says that's still two years away.

Of course, a talent like Rice won’t come cheap, even with the aforementioned factors. But he's a worthy investment.

We have Rice’s value similar to Kyren Williams in PPR, which is a move worth making if you aren’t contending.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We highlighted Godwin a few weeks back as a buy, and he remains a buy.

He has been consistently underrated throughout his career. 

Those who invested saw dividends this season with Godwin’s per-game averages:

• 7.14 receptions
• 8.86 targets
• 82.3 yards
• 0.71 TDs

Then he dislocated his left ankle in Week 8, immediately ending his regular season.

A 28-year-old WR with Godwin’s production history should continue to perform when fully recovered. Our aging-curve data says Godwin's likely to retain 96% of his peak production next year and 93% in 2026. 

Godwin should be fully recovered ahead of next season. He's also headed for free agency in March. Whereas that might be a risk factor for some players, we're not concerned about Godwin landing comfortably -- whether in Tampa Bay or elsewhere.

The uncertainty, however, could spook his current dynasty managers further.

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Aiyuk signed a four-year $120 million contract at the end of August after missing all of training camp and the preseason. 

Fantasy managers were hoping the new contract would translate into continued production, especially after nine WR1 or WR2 finishes in 2023.

Instead, Aiyuk only had one WR1 finish in his six full games this season. Then, he tore his right ACL and MCL on Oct. 20 against the Chiefs. 

The dip in value due to his in-season performance and injury has been massive. Now is the right time to buy.

Trust the System

Aiyuk’s new contract locks him into Kyle Shanahan’s offense with Brock Purdy at QB for the long term. There are very few better situations and systems in the NFL. 

Signing Aiyuk may also mean that teammate Deebo Samuel won't be retained. He has one year left on his deal with an out after this season, per Spotrac.

The 2024 offseason was also unique. Aiyuk missed camp and the preseason with his contract holdout, potentially contributing to his poor production.

Our aging-curve data says a WR like Aiyuk typically hits his production peak at 26, which will be next year for Aiyuk. 

With his peak still to come and a full recovery expected, Aiyuk has WR1 dynasty potential at a WR2 pricetag.

Use our personalized Fantasy Football Trade Calculator to find the right value for Aiyuk in your league

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

Kirk finishes as the WR12 in PPR back in 2022, under then-new HC Doug Pederson.  But the Jaguars offense has taken a nose dive since then, and Kirk's role has diminished. 

Then he fractured his collarbone in Week 8, ending his season. He finished just WR51 in PPR points per game, after going WR40 in 2023.

But the chance at a new team in 2025 offers hope.

New Home Likely

The Jaguars put Christian Kirk on the trade block and reportedly had an agreement near near completion with the Steelers before Kirk's injury.

That makes it look near-certain the Jags will part ways after this season, even with a year left on Kirk's contract.

Kirk turns 28 during the 2025 season. According to our data, you should expect 96% of his peak production.

According to our Trade Value Chart, Kirk has similar value to Aaron Jones or James Conner.

Both veteran RBs remain good producers. But they're also both in the final year of their contracts and about to turn 30.

If you aren’t contending, consider giving that type of asset to get Kirk -- whose past two years might have current managers valuing him even lower.

Continue Building with These Dynasty Tools

We have highlighted just a few of the tools available to help you maintain your perennial contender. Learn more on how to dominate your dynasty leagues and improve your value with the video below:

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.