Jaxson Dart INJURY: What It Means for Nabers, Likely & Skattebo (09/22 Fantasy Football Podcast)
The FFT crew react to Jaxson Dart's significant knee injury (reportedly headed to season-ending surgery) and break down what it means for Jameis Winston, Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely, and Cam Skattebo going forward. They debate Winston's boom-bust fantasy profile, whether the Giants offense downgrades much with him under center, and how it shifts redraft/dynasty values.
This bonus episode is a rapid-response reaction to news that Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending injury reportedly requiring surgery, forcing Jameis Winston into the Giants' starting job. The hosts' central argument: this is a real fantasy blow, but Winston's boom-or-bust style, plus a soft near-term schedule, could actually keep Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely fantasy-relevant, even as they disagree on how much volume Winston will actually get.
The arguments
Dart is a near-certain drop in redraft leagues. Jamie and Adam agreed the injury sounds season-ending even without official confirmation, and while stashing him on IR is reasonable in deeper formats, most managers should move on and grab Winston instead. Dave noted Winston becomes a must-add in Superflex/two-QB leagues immediately, and given Caleb Williams, Daniels, and Tyson Bagent injuries around the league, he could even be relevant in one-QB formats.
Winston's history suggests this isn't as big a receiving downgrade as it looks. Jamie pulled Winston's 2024 Cleveland stint (a 5,000-yard, 29-touchdown pace) and his historic 2019 Buccaneers season (5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns) to argue he consistently inflates receiver production, citing Jerry Jeudy's and Cedric Tillman's per-game paces in Cleveland as a comp for what Nabers and Likely could see. Adam was more skeptical, worried Harbaugh will script a conservative game plan (as he did for Dart in Week 1) that limits Winston's attempts, especially against tougher defenses later in the schedule.
The hosts disagreed on Winston's near-term pass-attempt outlook by opponent. Debating an over/under of 30 attempts, they split on Tennessee this week but leaned over for Arizona, under at Washington, and generally expect him to top 30 most weeks given the state of the Giants' secondary and offensive line. They flagged a manageable stretch (Tennessee, Arizona, Washington, New Orleans, at Houston) before the bye, with tougher matchups (Dallas, Detroit) waiting in the fantasy playoffs.
Redraft valuations have shifted but not collapsed. Asked where they'd draft these players today, Jamie set Nabers at late third/early fourth round (a slight downgrade), Skattebo unchanged at round five, and Likely around round eight, or roughly TE10 — still enough that Jamie would take Likely over Colston Loveland right now given Loveland's poor form and Chicago's own quarterback uncertainty.
Andrew Thomas' groin injury compounds the Giants' offensive line concerns. The hosts flagged this almost in passing but treated it as a real problem given Thomas is the team's star left tackle, adding more uncertainty to how much Winston will be protected in his starts.
Darnell Mooney is a deep-league watch as a potential beneficiary of Winston's aggressive style. Adam pointed to an early rapport between Mooney and Winston and suggested Mooney, not Malachi Field, is currently ahead in line for волume if Winston leans on him the way he leaned on Cedric Tillman in Cleveland.
Winston's turnover risk remains the swing factor for the Giants' season and his own job security. The crew noted Winston threw seven pick-sixes in his 30-interception 2019 season, and warned that quarterbacks who turn the ball over lose jobs — Harbaugh could pivot to a veteran like Joe Flacco or Gardner Minshew if Winston struggles, though a trade for J.J. McCarthy was dismissed as unlikely.
What it means for your roster
- Drop Jaxson Dart in most redraft formats; only stash on IR if your league allows and you have bench space to spare.
- Add Jameis Winston immediately in Superflex/2-QB leagues; consider him a streaming option even in 1-QB formats given the leaguewide QB injury wave.
- Hold Malik Nabers — he's still a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 (late Round 3 value), but temper expectations given a true shadow corner (Trent McDuffie) limited him even against Dart.
- Keep Isaiah Likely as a top-six TE trade chip — the hosts still favor him over Colston Loveland, Sam LaPorta, and Dallas Goedert-tier options for the rest of season.
- Reject the Nabers + Kincaid for Javonte Williams trade offer floated on air — the hosts called it far too much to give up for RB2 help.
- Speculatively add Darnell Mooney in deep leagues as Winston's potential go-to option, ahead of Malachi Field on the depth chart.
“This kid cannot catch a stinking break.” — Unidentified host
Players in this episode
→ Hosts worry a true CB shadow (Trent McDuffie) limited him Monday night, but expect big weekly upside with Winston slinging it; one host still ranks him in the third round if redrafting today, calling it only a slight downgrade.
→ Hosts express some concern about his outlook but still value him around a 5th-round redraft pick.
↓ Suffered a significant knee injury and is reportedly headed to season-ending surgery, likely out for the rest of the season; hosts suggest stashing on IR in redraft but likely dropping, while dynasty managers should be cautious given his injury history.
↑ Coming off a strong week with 10-11 targets, hosts still view him as a top-6/8 dynasty tight end and would rather have him than Colston Loveland right now given Chicago's QB situation.
↑ Flagged as a deep-league add given a connection with Winston Monday night; could be a Cedric Tillman-type beneficiary if Winston leans on receivers.
→ Currently seen as behind Mooney in the pecking order but also in play for a bump in target share with Winston starting.
→ A New York media columnist suggested the Giants trade for him, but hosts are skeptical Minnesota would deal him and think the Giants would rather stick with Winston given his contract.
↓ Giants' star left tackle is also injured (groin, plus prior ankle/knee issues), which is described as a big concern for the offensive line.
→ Floated as a possible pickup for Harbaugh if Winston struggles, given familiarity.
↑ Takes over as Giants starter for the foreseeable future; hosts note his history of big passing volume and touchdowns but also heavy interception risk, and call him a must-add in Superflex/2QB leagues and a viable streamer even in 1QB formats given other QB injuries around the league.
→ Mentioned as a name to consider ahead of Jameis Winston in some formats due to rushing upside (four 40-plus rushing yard games in his last eight starts).
→ Mentioned as a potential target for the Giants' offensive coordinator (Nagy) due to prior familiarity if Winston falters.