Fantasy Do-Not-Draft List Flags 3 Giants, Josh Allen and Christian McCaffrey

Q: With conflicting reports on Malik Nabers' knee, are fantasy managers walking into a massive trap by drafting the Giants' receiver?

No, but Nabers is clearly a high-risk pick unless his draft price reflects the uncertainty. The key facts cut both ways. On the positive side, the Giants did not place Nabers on the PUP list, team officials have said he is trending in the right direction, and he has begun doing individual work in camp without an obvious limp. That supports the team’s hope that he can be ready for Week 1. The concern is that his recovery has not been straightforward. Nabers tore his ACL and required a full meniscus repair, then underwent a second procedure to remove scar tissue after stiffness slowed his rehab. The Giants have repeatedly avoided promising a Week 1 return, stressing that his workload will be determined day to day based on how the knee responds. Some outside reports have suggested he could still miss the opening month. That makes Nabers volatile, not undraftable. When healthy, he has already shown true WR1 production, including his 109-catch, 1,204-yard rookie breakout, and the Giants still view him as the centerpiece of the passing game. But fantasy managers drafting him as if that role is guaranteed from Week 1 are taking on real downside. The smarter read is that Nabers is only a trap if he is priced like a fully healthy elite receiver. If he falls into the tier where managers can absorb missed games or slower early usage, the upside still justifies the gamble.

2 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 6

Three Giants—Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo—top the fade list because all carry lofty ADPs despite major durability questions on an offense that had them together for only 18 snaps last season.
Nabers is the biggest concern: after 109 catches for 1,204 yards as a rookie, he played four games last year, tore his ACL and meniscus, needed a spring scar-tissue procedure and still has an uncertain September outlook.
Dart and Skattebo bring similar boom-or-bust risk after injury-shortened 2025 campaigns—Dart missed time with a concussion, while Skattebo's seven-touchdown breakout ended in Week 8 with a dislocated ankle.
Josh Allen is faded less for performance than price, with the case against him centered on spending a second-round pick at a deep quarterback position rather than waiting for cheaper options.
Christian McCaffrey also makes the avoid list after a 17-game, 400-plus-point comeback season, with concern focused on his 400-touch, 900-snap workload and the poor track record for 30-year-old backs repeating that volume.