Larry Fitzgerald's Fantasy Trade Value, Season Stat Projections and More

A quiet Week 1 from Larry Fitzgerald places the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver's fantasy value in peril. Although he's no longer the star wideout who can carry a squad to glory, owners would be remiss to panic after one game.

In Monday night's victory over the San Diego Chargers, the 31-year-old caught just one pass: a 22-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Through three quarters, Carson Palmer never threw the ball Fitzgerald's way, the first time in 157 games that he entered the final period with zero targets, per NFL on ESPN's Twitter page.

That's a big deal for the 11-year pro, who has tallied 847 receptions over his incredible career. Regardless of who took snaps under center, the quarterback has always made Fitzgerald the apple of his eye. According to Numbers Never Lie, passers have looked his way more than anybody else over the past decade.

To locate the last time he caught just one pass, one must travel back to Dec. 9, 2012, when Arizona suffered a 58-0 massacre to the Seattle Seahawks during the John Skelton-Ryan Lindley debacle. Week 1's four targets represents the lowest amount since Sept. 16 from that same year.

Coach Bruce Arians had a simple answer for why Fitzgerald didn't get more looks Monday: He refuses to construct plays tailored to individual players, according to ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss.

"That's interceptions waiting to happen," Arians said. "You have guys go out and then whatever coverage dictates, you get it. The coverage dictated he wasn't getting many."

The overwhelming talking point is that Michael Floyd is the new sheriff in a town—a spot that's not big enough for the two of them. Half of that sentiment is true, as the third-year wideout is primed for a breakout campaign after opening the season with a 119-yard performance.

Even if he supplants Fitzgerald as Arizona's top fantasy receiver, that hardly makes the veteran irrelevant. Double-teams are no longer a major concern for a man who dealt with them frequently without a dangerous pair of hands flanking the other side of the field.

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Besides, Floyd became a focal part of the Cardinals' passing game last season, but Fitzgerald's production did not suffer. During the final seven games of 2013, beginning with Floyd's 193-yard breakout outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fitzgerald amassed 43 receptions for 461 yards and five touchdowns.

Floyd thrived during the same time frame, collecting 577 yards and three touchdowns. But the two coexisted, if anything benefiting from each other's presence.

Heck, Fitzgerald came inches away from scoring a touchdown earlier this week, which would have quieted all the worry warts out there.

Don't freak out after one lackluster week. Now, of course, is the worst time to trade him. If anything, wait for a bounce-back Week 2 before exploring his market value.

Trading someone at his low point is a rookie mistake, and most savvy fantasy managers will pounce on those inexperienced players looking to cash out at the most inopportune time.

On the other end of the spectrum, the window to explore a buy-low exchange is just about expired, as he'll have a better day at the office Sunday.

Hours before his disappearing act, the New York Giants surrendered 346 passing yards to Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions. Calvin Johnson ate up New York's secondary, compiling seven catches, 164 yards and two touchdowns. Once the Giants realized a half too late that they should pay more attention to the world's greatest receiver, Golden Tate took center stage.

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The new addition caught six passes for 93 yards, proving it's rarely ever one or the other with a star receiver in the fold. Now that Arizona has two, the G-Men will crumble while trying to contain both in single-man coverage.

It's possible drafters overpaid for Fitzgerald, who is no longer in top-10 consideration and is far from a guarantee to finish inside the top 20. Wide receiver is that deep, but don't compound an error with a bigger one by trading him below his stock price.

If he goes off against New York, then ponder trading the big-name veteran. If not, it'll be difficult to find someone not fostering your same fears.

Before the season started, I valued him in a tier among Floyd, Michael Crabtree, Roddy White and Cordarrelle Patterson just outside the top 15. That hasn't changed just because of one game.

He will still push 1,000 yards and eight to 10 touchdowns, making him a solid No. 2 or high-end No. 3 fantasy wideout. Wait a little longer before drastically adapting those preseason perceptions.

Season Projections: 80 catches, 975 receiving yards, nine touchdowns