Jimmy Graham's Fantasy Trade Value, Updated Outlook Heading into Week 8

A shoulder injury has Jimmy Graham's fantasy football owners fearing the worst, but now is not the time to abandon the superstar tight end.

Following a 16-touchdown 2013 campaign, Graham vaulted into the first round of virtually all fantasy drafts. How long can managers pass up a tight end who puts up massive numbers befitting a wide receiver?

After a rampant start to 2014, the New Orleans Saints star has slowed down, accumulating 176 receiving yards and one touchdown over the past four games. That includes last weekend, where he essentially suited up for decorative purposes, not seeing one ball thrown his way in a game he was questionable to play due to a shoulder ailment he suffered two weeks prior.

Category	Number	TE Rank
Receptions	34	3
Targets	48	6
Receiving YDs	376	6
TDs	3	T-8
YAC	141	8

Due to a convenient bye week, Graham did not technically miss any action. Yet he generated the exact stat line he would have from the sideline while all his owners grimaced.

Once again, the 27-year-old is listed as questionable going into Week 8's showdown against the Green Bay Packers. According to ESPN.com's Mike Triplett, he was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

Making matters worse, they play on Sunday night, so a late scratch can toss lineups into disarray without planning a plan B ahead of time. Someone of his talent is nearly impossible to bench when active, especially since the 6'7" red-zone monster needs just one grab in the end zone to appease his owners.

During a conference call earlier this week, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein, Drew Brees expressed confidence in his top target.

"

He looks better this week than he did last week. The shoulder will continue to get better. I'm not worried or concerned in that regard. Jimmy is a tough guy. He's had to play through a lot in just his short career. He's battled multiple injuries over the course of many seasons. I know he's going to give us whatever he can. We'll see what that is.

"

For Week 8, monitor Graham's status and don't use an alternative in the afternoon. Do, however, prepare for the possibility that he doesn't play, even it's unlikely after participating briefly last weekend. Adding New Orleans backup Benjamin Watson is the best choice, unless players can somehow get their hands on Jordan Reed or Jason Witten for the Monday night game.

Now what about his long-term value? Graham has lost his grip as the No. 1 tight end to Julius Thomas, and a healthy Rob Gronkowski is making a move on the second spot. Will Graham maintain his status among the top tier, or will his shoulder injury make him just another guy?

Here's a fact that should calm some Graham owners down. This isn't the first time he fired blanks during a game, during the team's sixth slate. Last season, he caught zero passes during the sixth game of the season. He wasn't just playing a decoy either, as the New England Patriots shut down all six of his targets.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

After getting completely erased by the Patriots, he posted a pair of two-touchdown performances. 

Let's take the time machine back another year, where Graham corralled one four-yard grab in Week 5 against the San Diego Chargers. In the ensuing four games, he recorded five touchdowns. Bad days happen, even to the best of them.

Simple trade economics dictate not to move Graham's now, as his value has taken a hit with the shoulder injury and zero-catch game. For a team with a Reed or Travis Kelce riding the bench, only explore options for Graham if he's treated as an outlier stud at tight end.

If Graham can fetch a top-notch player elsewhere, then it all depends on the team's specific needs. Just don't panic and sell low.

During Weeks 14-16, where most playoffs take place, Graham faces three defenses ranked No. 20 or worse in passing defense. For those who play to the very end, the Saints get the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL's worst passing defense, in Week 17. 

As long as Graham stays healthy, the schedule foreshadows a strong finish. Stay patient and Graham will help realize those title aspirations.