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Don't forget 2016's injured players in your fantasy prep

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the game at Sun Life Stadium on November 22, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Dallas defeated Miami 24-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

I am one of those people who has already done a mock draft for the 2017 fantasy football season. If I’m being totally, honest, I’ve done more than one, but who’s counting?

Anyway, in each mock, it was clear to me that if you’re someone who drafts early, or who likes to partake in early MFL10s, the players that offer some of the biggest bargains are the players who were injured in 2016. And then there are players that were injured in 2016 that are going off the board rather high when you take into consideration the level of risk.

One could argue that the some of the bargains are because we don’t know whether they will come back at the same level, or even come back at all. Fair, but after witnessing Jordy Nelson’s big return this year, I’m will to put my neck out there for some of these players and so should you.

Here are some injured players you can get as a bargain in early drafts and some injured players who are going rather early despite the concerns. All ADP calculations are based on Fantasy Football Calculator.

Quarterback

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Current ADP: after 15th round

If Romo remains with the Dallas Cowboys, he will be rendered fantasy irrelevant. That is obvious. Dak Prescott won Offensive Rookie of the Year, which only solidified the reality that he’s the Cowboys starting quarterback. Adam Schefter reported that Romo has no plans to retire and seemingly every day we hear about a team ready to trade for his veteran services. Romo is one of the craziest wild cards on this list before the open of free agency (March 9), but he could be the most beneficial late-rounder you’ll have on your team. He barely played at all in 2015 and 2016, but from 2011 to 2014, he averaged 4,155 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns per year. This season those numbers would have landed him 12th in yardage and sixth in touchdowns. Romo’s eventual landing spot is paramount, of course, but there’s also the injury scare. Even though I’m starting with him on my list, I’m also suggesting that you wait until the last possible minute to take a chance on him. Romo missed much of the 2016 season with a compression fracture in his back. In 2015 he broke his left collarbone twice, something he also did in 2010. In 2014 he sustained two transverse process fractures. He ruptured a disk in 2013 and then in 2008 he broke his pinkie finger. Risk is definitely a factor.

Other injured players to consider: Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans (12th QB); Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (sixth QB)

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