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By Jay Pounds (@JayPoundsNFL)
At last, we have our final division to break down in the Buy, Sell, and Hold series and it happens to be what I consider the worst division in football, the NFC East. As a rebuilding owner, this is a division you should pay close attention to with all four teams likely to churn out roster spots. The final week of the pre-season is nearing which means the start of the NFL season is close to being upon us and the news is starting to become extremely important.
Before we jump into the article let’s highlight a few notable happenings around the league. The Rams acquired New England Patriots running back Sony Michel via trade, further complicating things in the Los Angeles backfield. Rams coach Sean McVay came out and said Michel is just a depth piece, but I am not buying it with the price they paid to get the former Georgia Bulldog product. The very well-liked undrafted running back, Javian Hawkins has signed a deal with the Tennessee Titans and is still worth a roster spot even behind Derrick Henry. A few players recovering from injury are on the right track to start the season and those players are Dak Prescott, Odell Beckham Jr., and Saquon Barkley. All three players are expected to contribute heavily for their teams and the fact they are all seeing action is welcoming news for their owners. Quarterback Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers has been alternating 1st team reps with Jimmy Garoppolo which tells me he will be the starter sooner rather than later in the Bay Area. Finally, we have rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase who has struggled mightily this preseason finally turning in what reporters are calling a great week in practice. Owners need to show patience with Chase after he missed the entire 2020 NCAA football season because of Covid-19. I do not know of many players who took a year off football and did not miss a beat, especially one coming into his rookie season
In this article I will break down all Dynasty Owner relevant players from the NFC East through the perspective of a rebuilding owner. Each player will be placed into one of three separate categories called Buy, Sell, or Hold. The players in the Buy category are going to usually be younger players with massive upside and a clear path to playing time, making them a great building block for your team. The players in the Sell category are going to be older players in most cases who are on the backend of their career with a significant contract. They are also players that will not be around when it is time for your rebuilding team to compete for championships. The players in the Hold category are players buried on their team’s depth chart or players with a lot of talent who are not getting the trade value they should receive. If there are any players on the list you disagree with feel free to let me know on Twitter @JayPoundsNFL.
BUY
Washington Football Team
- Jaret Patterson (3 years, $820,000)
Jaret Patterson is someone I have talked about more than a few times this off-season. Patterson had a storied career with the University of Buffalo where he put-up eye-popping numbers. The Football Team’s coaching staff seems to be intrigued with Patterson which is a great sign towards him making the 53-man roster and in turn an impact on your Dynasty Owner team.
- Terry McLaurin (2 years, $961,918)
Terry McLaurin and James Robinson are my favorite values in Dynasty Owner for the 2021 season. McLaurin has a criminally low salary for the production he is going to put up with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm. McLaurin will come with a high price tag to acquire, but he is a fantastic building block over the next two seasons.
- Dyami Brown (4 years, $1,236,000)
Looking at Washington’s depth chart, it is easy to see Dyami Brown seeing the field often throughout his rookie season. The only competition Brown faces at this point are names like Cam Sims and Adam Humphries. I recommend buying Brown before the season starts as he should be a lock to be the number 3 guy in Washington.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Jalen Hurts (3 years, $1,506,292)
The fantasy community has mixed feelings on the long-term outlook of Jalen Hurts. Hurts did well in terms of fantasy scoring last season but unfortunately that does not count towards a player’s future in the NFL. If Hurts is able to get his completion percentage to at least the low 60s the questions should go away. If the Hurts owner in your league is a little low in how they value him then you should be doing what is needed to get a deal done.
- Kenneth Gainwell (4 years, $953,882)
I am not expecting Kenneth Gainwell to become a full-time starter in the NFL simply because of his small frame. While he may not turn into every down starter, he will bring production to your fantasy lineup the same ways Darren Sproles used too. If Gainwell can beat out Boston Scott, he will have a solid rookie campaign.
- DeVonta Smith (4 years, $5,035,348)
The slim reaper DeVonta Smith is my second favorite receiving prospect of the 2021 class behind Ja’Marr Chase. Smith started slowly because of an injury but has looked impressive as of late. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni compared Smith to Keenan Allen, and I am expecting similar numbers sooner rather than later.
- Jalen Reagor (3 years, $3,317,669)
The Eagles drafted Jalen Reagor in the first round of the NFL draft and will give him multiple opportunities to succeed in this offense. The addition of DeVonta Smith is not great news but it will help Reagor see less double coverage when he is on the field. I am buying Reagor because he will come cheap and will be on the field a ton.
- Quez Watkins (3 years, $866,166)
Quez Watkins is one of the more popular sleeper names in the fantasy community right now. I mention this because I want to remind you not to overpay because people are talking about him. Watkins is a Buy but is still considered a lottery ticket at this point.
- Dallas Goedert (1 year, $1,406,068)
I feel that right now Dallas Goedert is at the lowest value he will be in many years. The Eagles confused everyone when they decided to keep Zach Ertz around. Ertz remaining an Eagle hurts Goedert but is not something that should stop a rebuilding owner from buying him. Ertz will be gone soon, so buy Goedert before it happens.
New York Giants
- Darius Slayton (2 years, $688,497)
Darius Slayton was a hot name heading into last season and he let fantasy owners down. The Giants offense as a whole was a mess last season and Slayton surely is not to blame. It seems Slayton is buried on the Giants depth chart, but I believe he has the talent to beat everyone out, aside from Kenny Golladay. I recommend buying Slayton before anything happens that causes his value to rise.
- John Ross (1 year, $2,250,000)
I remember staying up late just to watch John Ross burn Pac 12 defenses during his time at the University of Washington. Ross was a Top 10 pick who flamed out for the Cincinnati Bengals which means he is still extremely talented. If the Giants can unlock Ross’s potential and he can stay healthy, he will become a great piece to play with during your rebuild.
- Kadarius Toney (4 years, $3,429,877)
I get most of the hate around Kadarius Toney and I do feel he will be a bust, but he still has 1st round draft capital, and is still extremely cheap to acquire. The Giants will give Toney every chance under the sun to show why they took him so early in the draft and that makes him a player rebuilding owners should be high on. When rebuilding you can never have enough cheap guys with massive potential. The first-round capital also makes him much more likely to hit than the lottery tickets I am always talking about.
Dallas Cowboys
- Tony Pollard (2 years, $796,945)
As I mentioned with Javonte Williams a few weeks back, Tony Pollard is a perfect running back to roster during a rebuild. Pollard sees enough work each week that you know the talent is there and you can feel safe holding him knowing he will be a starter in this league soon. Pollard has two years left on his current deal which gives you time to complete your rebuild before he is a full-time starter.
- CeeDee Lamb (3 years, $3,502,503)
I was close to making CeeDee Lamb a Sell because of how high he is being valued in the community right now, but his salary keeps him in the Buy category. Lamb is a fantastic talent who will be one of the premier receivers in the league for many years. If you can afford it, buy Lamb. If you have Lamb and get blown away by an offer, it is worth thinking about trading him.
- Michael Gallup (1 year, $880,995)
I love the thought of buying Michael Gallup on a rebuilding roster. Gallup will come cheap because of the presence of Amari Cooper and Lamb and has already shown he can be an exceptionally good NFL wide receiver with a 1,000-yard season already under his belt. The second Cooper, or Lamb gets hurt or if Gallup gets traded from Dallas, the price to acquire him will skyrocket.
- Blake Jarwin (3 years, $5,500,000)
Blake Jarwin should come cheap after coming off a season ending injury in 2020. I would shoot your shot on Jarwin before the season starts as his value should only increase with playing time. The only scenario where his value decreases involve Dalton Schultz beating him out for the starting job.
SELL
Washington Football Team
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (1 year, $10,000,000)
Meet the guy who thinks his beard is better than mine (it is not) – Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzmagic seems to be a fan favorite regardless of where he plays, and the beard has a lot to do with it. Sell Fitzmagic before he shaves his beard and forgets how to play football.
- Antonio Gibson (3 years, $1,233,159)
Antonio Gibson is one of my favorite young players and one I own on my personal rebuilding team. I know you are wondering why I bought him and am telling you to sell him, and it is because I acquired him cheap before he blew up in Washington last season. Gibson has climbed all the way to a first round draft pick here on Dynasty Owner and will net too much in a trade not to move on from him as a rebuilding owner.
- J.D. McKissic (1 year, $1,635,000)
McKissic had a fantastic season in 2020, but I am expecting him to take more of a backseat to Antonio Gibson in 2021. I recommend moving on from him before the season starts. If you like to gamble, he may be worth a Hold in case an injury happens to occur in Washington.
- Logan Thomas (1 year, $3,072,500)
Tim Tebow tried to follow in Logan Thomas’s footsteps and failed miserably. Thomas is a former quarterback turned tight end who played very well in 2020. I am not so sure he can keep this up long enough to help your roster out when it comes time to win, which means you must get what you can out of him now via trade.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Miles Sanders (2 years, $1,337,544)
The Eagles drafting Kenneth Gainwell this off-season does not exactly put my mind at ease when thinking about Sanders. I am a huge Sanders guy and want to see him do well for a long time, but Philly may not be the place for him. Sanders is still a lock for the starting job with the Eagles, but I am moving him before it turns to more of a committee approach. Let us not forget Jalen Hurts will cut into his carries quite a bit as well.
- Jordan Howard (1 year, $990,000)
If you can sell Jordan Howard, I have a job opportunity for you. It seems Howard is going to make the Eagles roster but should not make any of your rebuilding rosters. Sell Howard for one Dynasty Dollar if needed.
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley (1 year, $7,798,688)
Saquon Barkley is a premier talent at the running back position, but he is a lose-lose for rebuilding owners. If Barkley plays this season and has a great year, he will get a contract north of the $12 million that Aaron Jones got this past off-season and will hurt your cap on top of being a running back on his second deal. If Barkley does not play well or gets hurt, he will lose a significant amount of his trade value and will be on the downside of his career. After thinking about these two situations, Barkley became an easy sell for me during a rebuild.
- Kenny Golladay (4 years, $18,000,000)
Kenny Golladay is one of the most talented receivers in all of football, yet I could not sell him for anything more than a middle of the road 2nd round pick this past offseason (turned into Rashod Bateman). At this point there is so much doubt around Golladay with the Giants and him being hurt all 2020 that I am holding him until he starts playing like the Golladay of 2019.
- Sterling Shepard (3 years, $10,250,000)
Sterling Shepard will be tough to trade at his contract on top of the addition of Kenny Golladay. If you are trying to move Shepard, be sure to mention how consistent he is when he is on the field. Do not be surprised if you are unable to trade him.
- Evan Engram (1 year, $6,013,000)
Evan Engram is still an extremely talented football player who just needs to find a way to stay healthy. The tight end position is just as ugly as the running back position this season so capitalize on Engram while you can. This could also be Engram’s last season as a starter so get what you can out of him.
Dallas Cowboys
- Dak Prescott (4 years, $40,000,000)
If you can trade this contract, please message me your ways. At $40 million, it will be impossible to trade Prescott but with him due another raise in four years I am moving on from him if I am just starting a rebuild.
- Amari Cooper (4 years, $20,000,000)
Amari Cooper will be another player who is extremely tough to trade. Cooper is built more for a contending roster, so I suggest getting what you can and moving on from his massive salary.
HOLD
Washington Football Team
- Taylor Heinicke (2 years, $2,375,000)
As much as I love Ryan Fitzpatrick, he has had an up and down career up to this point. Taylor Heinicke is a must Hold if you are already his owner as there is a solid chance, he starts at some point this season. If Heinicke does end up starting, trade him immediately to get the best value possible.
- Adam Humphries (1 year, $1,190,000)
I initially had Humphries as a Sell, but I feel putting him in the Hold category is more appropriate. Washington brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick who has been known to put up solid passing numbers when given a chance to start in his career. If Humphries develops a connection with Fitzpatrick, he will be much more valuable than he currently is.
- Curtis Samuel (3 years, $11,500,000)
Curtis Samuel came on in a big way last season in Carolina. Had Samuel stayed in Carolina, he would be a Sell with the amount of talent they have on offense. With Washington, Samuel should be a featured guy. I am holding Curtis Samuel until we see him play for his new team.
- Cam Sims (1 year, $2,133,000)
Cam Sims was a great Buy and stash last season, and he is a solid Hold. Sims may be buried on the Washington depth chart, but he still has talent to play in the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Joe Flacco (1 year, $3,500,000
Jalen Hurts has quite a bit of doubt surrounding him right now and it makes Flacco a good Hold. If Hurts does not play well, Flacco will become an excellent trade chip for rebuilding owners. (Editor’s Note: Jay wrote this article prior to the trade of Gardner Minshew to the Eagles).
- Boston Scott (1 year, $920,000)
With the Eagles drafting Kenneth Gainwell, it hurts the outlook of Boston Scott quite a bit. I am holding onto him to see how the Eagles utilize both Scott and Gainwell. If Scott is clearly ahead of Gainwell to start, you need to move on from him quickly.
- Greg Ward (1 year, $850,000)
Philadelphia loves Greg Ward and wants to give him every chance in the world to succeed. If you have Ward, I suggest holding him until we see if he gets a starting job in the Eagles’ offense.
- Travis Fulgham (1 year, $762,500)
Travis Fulgham is a bigger one hit wonder than the Hanson brothers at this point in his career. I did love the way Fulgham dominated a few games stretch against quality opponents in 2020 but he was benched shortly after. As thin as the Eagles are at receiver, Fulgham will get his chance.
- Zach Ertz (1 year, $8,500,000)
Just two years ago, Zach Ertz was one of the premier tight ends in the NFL. As talented as Ertz is he is worth a Hold on your rebuilding roster. If he is traded and has a solid stretch, he will bring back great trade value.
New York Giants
- Devontae Booker (2 years, $2,750,000)
Devontae Booker is an excellent stash as a handcuff to oft-injured Saquon Barkley. Barkley has not exactly been durable throughout his career and if he happens to go down again you will be sitting on an excellent trade chip in Booker.
- Daniel Jones (2 years, $6,416,014)
I happen to be too high on Daniel Jones and will never give up on him. I am holding Jones to see if the addition of Golladay improves his game at all. Either way he will still net excellent value in a trade because of his rookie contract.
- Kaden Smith (2 years, $680,002)
Kaden Smith is no more than a lottery ticket but a good lottery ticket, nonetheless. Evan Engram has one year left on his deal and it is no lock that they bring him back on another contract. Kaden Smith could be the Giants starting tight end come 2021.
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott (6 years, $15,000,000)
Ezekiel Elliott is still one of the best backs in all of football. Zeke is coming off a rough year and the overall value on him is down. I am holding Zeke until he gets back to the Zeke we all know, and his contract becomes tradeable again.
- Noah Brown (1 year, $1,127,500)
The next two guys are buried behind extremely talented guys named CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Amari Cooper. Noah Brown has shown flashes on the field and that makes him a great stash for rebuilding owners.
- Cedrick Wilson (1 year, $2,183,000)
As I just mentioned with Noah Brown, Cedrick Wilson has shown excellent flashes on an NFL field. Hold Cedrick Wilson until the depth chart clears up and we see what he can do.
Conclusion
Well Dynasty Owners, there you have it for the 2021 Buy, Sell, and Hold series. I hope everyone can use all this information heading into the season and capitalize on it by making moves to set your rebuilding roster up for the future. Always remember when rebuilding to make moves for the sake of tomorrow instead of today. I hope everyone enjoyed this series as much as I did and as always good luck on your 2021 Chase for the Ring!