This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
By: Jay Pounds (@JayPoundsNFL)
Football is back! At the time this article releases we will have seen NFL action between the greatest team in the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the team that wishes they were the Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys. I know it is only a preseason game, but to me, it is a sign that better times are ahead for us as fans. As strange as things were in the NFL last year with zero preseason, it is great to get back to the point where things almost feel normal again. The preseason can be a great tool for rebuilding owners to use because it is the only time when you will see a lot of future NFL starters on the field before they are fully in that starter role. I feel like rebuilding owners should be the busiest owners at this time of the year, taking chances on players who perform well but have veterans blocking their path to the field. The more diamonds in the rough you have on your rebuilding roster, the quicker you will turn things around. The other route you can go is to try and buy players cheap after a bad preseason game or two.
In this article, we will be breaking down the players from the NFC North into three separate categories called Buy, Sell, and Hold through the eyes of a rebuilding owner, and will be no different than the past few articles. If you are not familiar with the past articles allow me to explain. The players placed into the Buy category are usually young talented players that you can build your Dynasty Owner team around, they are also almost always cheap players. The players in the Hold category are players with a questionable outlook, or a player who has too many roadblocks in the way of playing time. I like to place these players in the hold category because trading them will net less value than the talent calls for because of situation. The players in the Sell category are almost always older players who are on bigger deals. The position the player plays will also have a major impact on what category they fall into as well. If you have any players in a different category than I do please feel free to let me know on Twitter (@JayPoundsNFL)
BUY
Packers
- Jordan Love (3 years, $3,095,863)
Jordan Love was close to making a lot of Dynasty Owners happy this season, but old Aaron Rodgers ruined any chance at that happening. Come 2022, it looks like Love will be the man moving forward in Green Bay. It will be interesting to see if Love can keep the Packers out of quarterback Hell, somewhere they have not been since before Brett Favre. Buy Love now and see what happens next year.
- A.J. Dillon (3 years, $1,321,458)
I had A.J. Dillon as a massive Buy back when it seemed Aaron Jones would be leaving Green Bay. The thoughts of Dillon in a workhorse role are gone but he is still a player that can be bought. The Packers have used two running backs often in recent memory, and he would have a huge workload if Jones were to go down.
- Amari Rodgers (4 years, $1,224,974)
I love the talent of Amari Rodgers coming out of Clemson. I recommend buying him now while he is still cheap. I can easily see a scenario where he comes in and beats out Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard becoming the go-to-guy behind Davante Adams in the process. He may also end up the number 1 guy at his position for the Packers come 2022.
- Robert Tonyan (1 year, $3,384,000)
I know Aaron Rodgers will likely be gone next season, but Robert Tonyan is one of the better young tight ends in the game. I do not think he quite has Travis Kelce or Darren Waller upside, but he can be a Top 7 guy throughout his career.
Vikings
- Kellen Mond (4 years, $1,305,854)
Captain Kirk’s time with the Vikings may be nearing the end. I am not a huge fan of Kellen Mond, but he will come cheap and be worth a ton if he hits. If you have a roster space or an extra 3rd round pick, Mond is a solid Buy.
- Kene Nwangwu (4 years, $1,058,200)
Kene Nwangwu had one of the toughest college careers in recent memory. The kid has immense talent but was stuck behind David Montgomery and Breece Hall his entire college career with the Iowa State Cyclones. I do not know the future outlook with the Dalvin Cook extension, but I am buying the talent.
- Justin Jefferson (3 years, $3,280,701)
Justin Jefferson’s play last year speaks for itself. It will cost a ton to get him but if you manage to get your hands on him, you will have one of the best building blocks in the game.
- Dede Westbrook (1 year, $769,039)
I bet you have not heard this name in quite a while. Dede Westbrook was a star at Oklahoma and had some rough injury luck in Jacksonville. If the talent is still there, Westbrook could be a steal. The best part is, he is basically free to pick up.
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette (4 years, $949,740)
I do not think he will be much of a play this season, but that is ok because you are rebuilding. Adam Thielen started to show his age last season and I feel it’s only a matter of time before someone like Ihmir Smith-Marsette is the better choice on the roster.
Lions
- D’Andre Swift (3 years, $2,134,728)
I feel like there is one of these running backs each week that rebuilding owners are ok to target, even though they are already starting. Swift was lightly used during his rookie season, and I do not expect him to get a huge workload this year either. Swift being used lightly is a great thing for rebuilding owners, meaning he should have plenty of gas in the tank when it comes time for your team to win.
- Jermar Jefferson (4 years, $889,581)
Players like Jermar Jefferson are complete fliers and you can never have enough of them on your rebuilding roster. The only things I look for in these “lotto ticket” type players are a cheap salary, talent, and a young player with room to grow. Jefferson checks every one of those things.
- Quintez Cephus (3 years, $899,822)
Cephus is one of my favorite long-shot players this season. He only must beat out a few journeymen to see significant playing time. One thing I love about Cephus is you will know if he is worth keeping on your roster by the end of this season. If you are hopping aboard the Cephus train, now is the time to do it.
- Javon McKinley (3 years, $813,333)
The next two guys on the list are dart throws on a wide-open roster. If Javon McKinley shows out during the preseason, the Lions will play him over journeymen vets like Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams. The Lions are rebuilding just like you, which means a lot of young guys getting chances.
- Sage Surratt (3 years, $808,333)
As I just said with Javon McKinley, Sage Surratt is a great dart throw for rebuilding owners. Someone will emerge on this roster, you just need the right piece.
- T.J. Hockenson (2 years, $4,955,306)
I love where T.J. Hockenson is at in his career, especially from a rebuilding standpoint. He is heading into his 3rd year, which is when tight ends start to really grasp things at the NFL level, oh, and he should be the focal point of the Lions passing game this season and next. Before the start of the 2021 NFL season will be the last time you can get Hockenson for cheap.
Bears
- Justin Fields (4 years, $4,717,989)
My favorite Bear ever, Justin Fields (Craig Krenzel is second). Fields is a former Ohio State Buckeye and had a tremendous college career. Fields has tremendous athleticism and excels throwing the deep ball. Hello Darnell Mooney! Fields should be starting by Week 4 at the absolute latest but personally, I feel he will shine enough in camp and preseason leaving no choice but to start him Week 1. All aboard the Fields hype train!
- Darnell Mooney (3 years, $894,263)
As I just mentioned, Darnell Mooney will have an excellent deep ball quarterback throwing him the ball at some point this season. The Bears showed great trust in Mooney when they traded away Anthony Miller last week. I see Mooney becoming one of the better number 2 receivers in the NFL in the next couple of years. Buy him now, he will not be cheap long!
- Dazz Newsome (4 years, $902,677)
With the Bears moving on from Anthony Miller, it opens a slot role in this offense. Newsome was a solid slot option at North Carolina and the Bears are hoping for more of the same. Newsome is what I like to call a high-end lottery ticket, where he is someone who will see the field but does not have a high chance of becoming a fantasy stud.
- Cole Kmet (3 years, $1,894,444)
Cole Kmet is one of the great up-and-coming tight ends in football. If I am going after Kmet, I would prefer to do it before owners see his upside with Justin Fields under center. I highly recommend going after one of these young tight ends with high upside early in your rebuild.
HOLD
Packers
- Jace Sternberger (2 years, $966,382)
It’s often funny how things work out in the NFL. Jace Sternberger was drafted much higher than Robert Tonyan (undrafted) and was expected to be a solid tight end in Green Bay. As we all know it did not go as planned for Sternberger. Hold him for now and see if he can finally turn into a productive player.
Vikings
- Chad Beebe (1 year, $920,000)
I am not a huge fan of Chad Beebe but if you have him on your roster, he is a hold, or cut. At this point in his career if Beebe does not have a strong preseason, he will have zero trade value. I like to move on from players like Beebe for someone like Dazz Newsome. Capitalizing on young upside is a great way to help end a rebuild quickly.
- Irv Smith (2 years, $1,449,609)
While there are some owners who are high on Irv Smith heading into 2021, I would continue to hold him. At this point Smith will not net much in a trade but has a chance to explode this season in a bigger role. Someone will see a ton of work for the Vikings outside of Jefferson and I am not so sure it’s Adam Thielen the entire season. If Smith starts the year strong, there will be no better time to trade him.
Lions
- Darren Fells (1 year, $1,212,500)
Players like Darren Fells make me wish I had included a cut list in this series. If you are rebuilding, you have no business rostering someone like Darren Fells. If you must, hold him and hope a massive opportunity presents itself for Fells.
- Breshad Perriman (1 year, $2,500,000)
I initially had the next two guys as a Sell but after thinking about it I have moved them to a Hold. The Lions have little talent at receiver and if Breshad Perriman proves to be a stable contributor I can see contending owners buying him. Hold Perriman for a month or two and see what happens.
- Tyrell Williams (1 year, $4,000,000)
Tyrell Williams is no different than Breshad Perriman. If Williams turns out to be a stable presence in this offense, contenders should be all over him. Hold Williams and see if he can regain his old form. Williams and Perriman are both cheap and will be easy to trade if they are producing.
- Jamaal Williams (2 years, $3,000,000)
The Lions brought Jamaal Williams in and gave him solid money to backup D’Andre Swift. If something were to happen to Swift, or we see somewhat of a committee approach, Williams should net a decent return in a trade as ugly as running back looks right now.
Bears
- Tarik Cohen (3 years, $5,750,000)
Tarik Cohen is coming off a major injury, but the Bears still rewarded him with a massive deal for a backup running back. Trading Cohen now will not get you much in return when trading him, but if he returns to the Cohen of old, he will net you decent value in return for his services.
- Damien Williams (1 year, $1,125,000)
I like Damien Williams the player, but I feel him taking the year off will end up hurting his overall outlook. Running backs do not last all that long in the NFL and Williams just missed an entire year of his prime voluntarily. If you have Williams, hold and hope for an injury, so he sees the field.
- Damiere Byrd (1 year, $1,127,500)
Damiere Byrd was quietly a solid deep threat for the Patriots last season. While Byrd being a great deep threat with Cam Newton and moving to play with a quarterback like Justin Fields would usually mean Buy, he has Darnell Mooney in front of him. As I have said with the last few guys, Byrd will need a massive opportunity if he is going to net any type of trade value.
SELL
Packers
- Aaron Jones (4 years, $12,000,000)
The part I absolutely hate about this series is telling you guys to sell players like Aaron Jones. Jones is a phenomenal running back who excels at catching the ball. The only issue is he will be on his way out of the league after a few year rebuild. Trade Jones now and let the owner who is ready to win have him while you collect extra draft picks. Imagine blowing your team up at the end of the year in 2017 and you decided to keep Le’Veon Bell (who is going into his second contract) as a building block. Option 2 would have been to trade Bell for, say, the 1.6 and 1.7 picks where you take D.J. Moore, and Nick Chubb. One outcome greatly outweighs the other. I know this was an exaggeration, but you get the point.
- Aaron Rodgers (3 years, $33,500,000)
The 2020 NFL M.V.P. is on the trading block. While Rodgers contract is starting to become a value, his last year’s performance will be hard to live up to. Rodgers is starting to get older and does not offer much in terms of mobility, which we all know is a huge advantage in fantasy. Trade Rodgers now for whatever you can get in return, for all we know he will walk away after this season.
- Davante Adams (1 year, $14,500,000)
Guys, this one hurts. I am as big of a Davante Adams guy as you will find but for owners just going into a rebuild the smart move is to move on from Adams. Adams will play out the final year of his deal and he will get rewarded with a contract north of what DeAndre Hopkins is making. I am trading Adams now while his contract is still a value among the top names.
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (1 year, $669,388)
I am not particularly high on Marquez Valdes-Scantling and never really have been. He is mainly a product of Aaron Rodgers being his quarterback. I would sell him before Rodgers is not his quarterback and he has no type of trade value.
- Allen Lazard (1 year, $675,000)
I am in the same boat with Allen Lazard as I am with Marquez Valdez-Scantling, where I just do not honestly believe in the talent. If Lazard were guaranteed to play with Aaron Rodgers a few more years, I would have him on the Buy list, but for now I am selling him while last year’s M.V.P. is still under center.
Vikings
- Kirk Cousins (2 years, $33,000,000)
Kirk Cousins would be another player I would have on the cut list as I do not feel anyone will give you much in return for him. Cousins is in a good offense with solid weapons but at this stage of his career, his upside is nothing but a middle-of-the-road quarterback who is pricey.
- Dalvin Cook (5 years, $12,600,000)
As I do with Aaron Jones, I have Dalvin Cook as a Sell. Cook is some analysts’ number 1 player heading into 2021 and I feel rebuilding owners should capitalize on that. While Cook won’t net you as much as he would in regular dynasty leagues because of his contract, he will still bring in a significant haul.
- Alexander Mattison (2 years, $867,793)
After the contract extension of Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison offers little value to rebuilding owners. I am finding the Cook owner and getting one of his draft picks for Mattison. You could also gamble he will start at some point in 2021 and try to move him then.
- Adam Thielen (4 years, $16,050,000)
I have mentioned a few times in this article how I feel about Adam Thielen moving forward. I feel if you are rebuilding you need to move on from him now if you are able to.
Lions
- Jared Goff (4 years, $33,500,000)
Jared Goff is another player I feel should be on the Free Agent Auction, but you may be able to get someone to take on his contract with the rising salary cap. If someone offers even a 3rd round pick for Goff, I will take it and run.
- David Blough (1 year, $762,500)
While I do not care much for Jared Goff, I do not see Blough having much value as a backup for the Lions. I don’t think he will get you anything in return, but it never hurts to try.
Bears
- Andy Dalton (1 year, $10,000,000)
As of right now, Andy Dalton is the starter for the Chicago Bears. If you are rebuilding and you have him on your roster you need to trade him before the statement reads, Justin Fields is the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
- David Montgomery (2 years, $1,003,845)
David Montgomery had a terrific 2020 season. As a rebuilding owner, I am capitalizing on that today instead of tomorrow. I do not expect Montgomery to fall off the face of the earth, but Chicago does have a much deeper backfield this season than last and that worries me enough to move on in a rebuild.
- Allen Robinson (1 year, $17,880,000)
Allen Robinson has been one of the most consistent top-end receivers in all of football over the past few seasons. He is set to play on the franchise tag this season and will likely sign a massive deal next year. I recommend trading Robinson before thoughts of his new contract are deep in owners’ heads.
- Jimmy Graham (1 year, $8,000,000)
The glory days have come and gone for Jimmy Graham. I do not know that there is much of a market left for Graham, but I am taking whatever is offered. As I said earlier, Cole Kmet is the future in Chicago.
Conclusion
I have been enjoying this series quite a bit and I hope all of you are enjoying reading along. If we have a difference in opinion, please feel free to let me know. I love the feedback. I want to give everyone a quick reminder of the writer’s league I will be starting here in a few weeks. The league is a $50 buy-in and still has 5 spots available. The only requirement to join the writer’s league is that you create some type of fantasy content. Be sure to check out Steve Van Tassell’s and Matt “The Jerk’s” articles and videos every Monday and Wednesday, as well as the Dynasty Owner livestream every Wednesday at 2 pm EST. I hope everyone enjoyed the first NFL game of the year and as always good luck on your 2021 Chase for the Ring!