Navigating the Vikings’ fantasy football situation post-J.J. McCarthy injury

The rash of quarterback injuries heading into Week 3 has caused quite a stir on the fantasy football trade market. 

Most eyes are focused on the Bengals’ loss of Joe Burrow, with managers getting ready to abandon ship on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

But offering those players for trade right now reveals a weakness in your managerial skills.

The phrase is “buy low, sell high,” and those looking to sell off their Cincinnati assets are making a mistake by doing the opposite. 

If you are looking to capitalize on an opportunity to sell high, or learn how to avoid paying too much for the wrong player, you should be looking at the Vikings. 

This should be a very interesting week for the Vikings after having lost starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy for 2-4 weeks with an ankle injury.

It also happens to coincide with the team’s loss of their starting running back Aaron Jones, who landed on IR with a hamstring injury and is now out for the next four weeks. 

While removing two key components to the offense will make most fantasy managers cringe, you can take advantage of certain changes we expect to see. 

As for the rushing attack, we’ve actually been preparing for a Jordan Mason takeover. It was only a matter of time.

But remember that coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense is still pass-heavy, so if Mason was a depth-pick for you and you have other strong running back assets, one or two good games from him could be an immediate sell-high opportunity. 

But the real edge you could be looking at is in the passing game.

Don’t think about trading Justin Jefferson.

He will be just fine even with Wentz under center.

And it will be tough to sell high on any of the other Vikings wide receivers, as everyone knows Jalen Nailor is headed back to the fringe after next week, with the return of Jordan Addison. 

No matter what we see from Adam Thielen, who Wentz could lean on, everyone believes he is playing on borrowed time.

But the real sell-high opportunity should come with tight end T.J. Hockenson. 

When he was with the Eagles, Wentz leaned heavily on his tight ends once inside the green zone.

Zach Ertz, Brent Celek and Dallas Goedert all saw stronger touchdown opportunities with Wentz under center. 

When he went to the Colts in 2021, Jack Doyle and Mo Allie-Cox combined for over 600 yards and seven touchdowns.

Even in Washington in 2022, Logan Thomas saw an increase in targets for the eight games Wentz played. 

A lean on Hockenson right now and over the next few games could put him in a spot where, once McCarthy returns, you can sell him for more than just some magic beans.

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There are just too many receiving weapons to worry about targets for Hockenson down the road. 

Selling high in fantasy football is a skill, and having a strong understanding for how teams react to injuries only enhances it.

Watch the Vikings for the next few weeks and start taking notes.

By the time McCarthy returns, you could be staring at trade offers for people seeking out a better tight end.

Fortunately, you know Hockenson is only better with Wentz. 

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Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.