With the NFL trade deadline approaching, an underrated strategy, particularly for rebuilding teams, is to target players who will see major increases in opportunity in the offseason as players retire or leave in free agency.
In just a couple of weeks, it will be many owners’ last chance to acquire players on the cheap before the league year rolls over and major changes in situation get rapidly priced in.
To that end, today we’re reviewing all the pending dynasty-relevant free agents in the NFC, as well as notable cut candidates, to get a sense of which players we should be targeting for spikes in value going into the summer of 2026.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Notable Free Agents: Javonte Williams, George Pickens
Despite the Cowboys having some extremely interesting free agent decisions, there isn’t a great way to prepare for their upcoming offseason. Javonte Williams and George Pickens have most likely played well enough to justify new contracts, or maybe a franchise tag in George Pickens’ case, but at this point it’s unclear whether these players are leaving or whom the Cowboys might bring in to replace them.
Naturally, we should be extremely excited if significant draft capital is spent to fill either the RB1 or WR2 role in Dallas, should either player leave.
As far as how to prepare right now, I would argue that Pickens owners can feel confident he’ll get a big contract from *somebody*, and it’s a bit of a wash whether that’s as Dak Prescott’s WR2 or as a random team’s WR1. Both rebuilders and contenders can feel good about Pickens’ age and future contract insulation. If you don’t believe in him as a person, particularly once he’s no longer in a contract year, you could look to sell him.
Rebuilders should be quite willing to trade Williams, whom I still don’t quite believe in as a talent. On the other hand, Williams is an outstanding contender trade target, as he has obvious value currently, but is also most likely not one-and-done providing value to your starting lineup.
Verdict: Rebuilders should sell Javonte Williams, and contenders should target him
Philadelphia Eagles
Notable Free Agents: Dallas Goedert
Very similarly to the Cowboys’ situation, it’s not at all clear to me what the Eagles will do with Goedert this year, or how to prepare for his potential exit.
While Goedert has been huge in the red zone this year, and he’s had big games on occasion, the Eagles already have a lot of money tied up in A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. When you consider Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, Goedert is the Eagles’ fifth most important skill position player.
On the other hand, the Eagles tend to take care of their own, and they may find a way to keep Goedert around for his fit on the team and experience in the system.
In his absence, Grant Calcaterra may get the first crack at the starting tight end job, but he isn’t exactly the most exciting option.
Verdict: Stash Grant Calcaterra in deep leagues. Drop him if the Eagles sign a more talented veteran or retain Goedert.
New York Giants
Notable Free Agents: Wan’Dale Robinson
In a trend that has continued for all the other NFC East teams, we have a potentially departing free agent without a clear beneficiary. Malik Nabers is already a huge target hog, and I don’t think his target share depends on the presence of Wan’Dale Robinson. Meanwhile, the WR2 spot behind Robinson would be wide open if he left.
Overall, I would argue that Robinson is much more likely to find stretches of fantasy relevance on the Giants than he is on other teams, given my doubts about his true talent level. Considering he’s standing in as a de facto WR1 while Malik Nabers is out for the season with a torn ACL, my one takeaway is that rebuilders need to get whatever they can for Robinson right now.
As for what return to ask for, I would target a late second, but settle for a third rounder and a prospect. Target competing teams in your league who may be short on wide receiver depth.
I’ll note that Daniel Bellinger is a pending free agent, but I don’t think this will meaningfully affect Theo Johnson’s playing time. Johnson is already the starter, and he controls his own destiny regarding whether he truly breaks out in the coming weeks and years.
Verdict: Rebuilders should sell Wan’Dale Robinson
Washington Commanders
Notable Free Agents: Deebo Samuel, Zach Ertz, Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Commanders might see a lot of movement in their skill positions this offseason. Let’s tackle this room one player at a time.
First off, Deebo Samuel is a better fit as the Commanders’ WR2 than he would be coming in as a depth option on a different roster that doesn’t suit him as well. Considering he might well go to a worse situation next year, and that Terry McLaurin is slated to miss time with a quad injury, Samuel’s value is at a sell-high point for rebuilders, and he’s a great target for contenders.
Rebuilders should get a second-round pick for Samuel, maybe with a prospect thrown in too. It would be a little aggressive to ask for a first.
With Zach Ertz leaving, and being approximately 76 years old, it might finally be Ben Sinnot time in Washington. While it is concerning that Sinnot hasn’t been able to challenge a geriatric Ertz for playing time in the last two years, he should be rostered through the offseason. In the first four weeks of 2026, we’re going to get significantly more information on Sinnot than in the last two years combined. After that point, he’s no longer a clogger. He’s in or he’s out, but at least you’ll know what to do with him.
Any roster type should try to re-roll one or two of their failed projects for Sinnot.
The Commanders' running back room is slated to totally clear out aside from Jacory Croskey-Merritt. While that looks like a great opportunity for him, we have to worry about his lack of production with a similar runway over the last couple of weeks, and about the tendency of teams to replace their late-round running back picks, even high-performing ones, with early selections in the following draft.
It’s very possible the Commanders might invest a Day 2 pick, or a free agent signing, into a running back to continue helping Jayden Daniels on the offensive side. For this reason, I would hesitate to tell people to throw draft picks at Croskey-Merritt.
One trade that might make sense, though, is for a rebuilder to flip a performing veteran piece to a contender for Croskey-Merritt in order to buy youth and upside variance at the position. Croskey-Merritt has looked explosive and efficient in spurts this season, but hasn’t put together the kind of season to demand a clear RB1 role next year, at least not yet.
Verdict: Try to re-roll failed projects for Ben Sinnot, Deebo Samuel is a great sell for rebuilders and buy for contenders, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt is an interesting pivot for rebuilders with solid but unspectacular veterans still on the roster.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
Notable Free Agents: Olamide Zaccheaus
While a Zaccheaus departure may appear to usher in the Luther Burden era, in practice Zaccheaus is what I like to call “illusory competition”. He appears to block a young player when that player isn’t excelling, but in reality he’s not good enough to block a prospect who “gets it” and is earning responsibility from his coaches.
All this is to say that Luther Burden controls his destiny right now, and he won’t get targets by default even once the competition clears out. For this and other reasons, I would argue Burden’s situation won’t materially change this offseason, despite illusions to the contrary. If you like him now, you should like him in six months, and vice versa.
I’ll note that Cole Kmet’s contract is technically cuttable next offseason, as it was this offseason, but he’s reasonably priced with a coach who would love to use two good tight ends. At an $11.6 million cap hit, Kmet makes as much as far inferior blocking tight ends do.
I would also argue that Colston Loveland’s playing time doesn’t depend on Kmet’s as much as some might think, since they project to different roles in the offense. In reality, it’s totally up to Loveland whether he earns the kind of playing time that the elite pass catchers do, or if he fades into a Dalton Kincaid or Kyle Pitts type of rotation.
At the running back position, D’Andre Swift’s contract is cuttable next offseason, and I think it’s more likely than not that the Bears bring in new blood at the position. Whoever the Bears draft or sign should be a huge riser as a handpicked weapon in the Ben Johnson offense.
I wouldn’t buy Kyle Monangai based on that signal, as I think he’s more of a speed bump for whoever becomes the next RB1 on the Bears. I need to see more this year to give him the benefit of the doubt as more than the nominal week 1 starter and long-term speed bump.
Verdict: There are arguments to be made for investing in Luther Burden and Colston Loveland, but free agency isn’t one of them
Detroit Lions
Notable Free Agents: None
David Montgomery’s contract is technically cuttable next offseason, but I doubt he’s going anywhere. He’s reasonably priced, a great complement to Jahmyr Gibbs, and embodies everything about how Dan Campbell wants to play football.
Green Bay Packers
Notable Free Agents: Malik Willis, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath
Malik Willis is an extremely underrated stash in dynasty leagues. He’s a gifted athlete, he’s had a couple of years under Matt LeFleur to develop, and he’s won some games when called into action (albeit leaning heavily on the run game).
I think it's likely some quarterback-needy team takes a flier on Willis as part of a training camp battle. If Willis does start some games, it won’t take much for him to skyrocket in value, as he’s so physically gifted that owners will dream on the rushing upside and pure arm strength.
At wide receiver, there is some hope the Packers’ wide receiver clusterf— might finally clear up. Wicks is a pure roster clogger at this point. Doubs is usable but won’t develop into a consistent starter. I think there is some chance the Packers keep him somewhat cheaply, as he seems to be the only receiver on this roster that LaFleur plays in a full-time role.
With Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, and Jayden Reed remaining on this roster as the pass-catching rotation, I’d argue to sell if Watson collects any hype, and then to hold on Golden and buy Reed.
In Reed’s case, he seriously needs to get onto the field in two-receiver sets to become a standout fantasy asset, something the Packers have been extremely unwilling to do. However, he’s currently injured an his owner might be sick of him, so this feels like a classic buy-low.
Golden is struggling to earn a role outside of designed shot plays, but I think he controls his own destiny more than Reed does.
In reality, the Packers’ pass catcher you really want is Tucker Kraft. I hope you managed to snag him while I was pounding the table for him during the offseason.
Josh Jacobs’ contract is technically cuttable, but I don’t see him going anywhere.
Verdict: Stash Malik Willis, hold Golden, and buy Reed, but manage expectations as a slot-only player. Sell the other receivers if you see the chance.
Minnesota Vikings
Notable Free Agents: None
T.J. Hockensen’s contract is somewhat cuttable, though it would incur a large dead cap hit. I think he’s a clear sell for teams that don’t actively need the depth to compete right now. This includes both contenders with deep tight end rooms and any rebuilder.
He’s turned into a bit of a compiler over the years, more of a safety valve than an explosive option, and he’s clearly the third most important pass catcher in that offense.
Aaron Jones is in a similar boat, but he might stick around one more year, considering he and Jordan Mason complement each other well. I would argue that Jordan Mason’s role is different enough from Jones that he only gets a slight bump if Jones is cut.
Verdict: Jordan Mason is a very low-priority buy. He’s a good depth option now and in the future for competing teams. Aaron Jones is an urgent sell for rebuilders.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Notable Free Agents: Tyler Allgeier, Kyle Pitts
After putting together the occasional good game, Pitts is a screaming sell to any team that doesn’t need him as a key depth piece or starter. I think he’s more likely to go somewhere as part of a training camp battle and reclamation project than as a clear starter, and I simply don’t believe in the player at this point.
On the other hand, Allgeier is an extremely intriguing stash. He probably can’t be pried away from an owner who has both him and Bijan Robinson, considering his context as one of the best handcuffs in fantasy football, but other teams may be willing to sell him for veteran depth.
Allgeier feels extremely unlikely to walk into a starting role, so we can’t offer more than a third-round pick and a re-roll type player, but if he walks into an ambiguous running back room, I like his chances of winning the job. He’s just a really solid football player.
Verdict: Sell Pitts, Stash Allgeier
Carolina Panthers
Notable Free Agents: Jalen Coker (ERFA), Rico Dowdle
Coker is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, which means he’ll be staying with the Panthers. He’s a hold while he comes back from his early-season IR stint and tries to find some half-decent quarterback play to support him.
Rico Dowdle has made the Panthers’ backfield into the most confusing in the league. He’s been clearly better than Chuba Hubbard this year, but Hubbard is well-respected by the franchise and earned a contract extension just last year.
To make this room even more complex in 2026, who knows if Jonathan Brooks comes back strong from a torn ACL?
I would argue that similar to the Jaguars’ backfield in last week’s article, you should hold any piece of this backfield and let the chips fall where they may.
If you don’t currently own any shares of this backfield, the only one I’m interested in buying is Dowdle. I would argue that of the three players in this backfield, Dowdle is the most likely to run away with the job, as he’s already put two outstanding games on tape and outperformed his current competition.
Of everybody in this room, Dowdle is the most likely to be signed as a starter on a different team. While his most likely free agent outcome is that he gets signed into an ambiguous backfield, at which point I wouldn’t hate his chances of winning the job, there is also some chance he’s done enough in two straight years to get a coach somewhere to target him as the starter.
This is a long-winded way of saying that the current 50/50 split is about as bad as it can get for Dowdle, and while I think the most likely outcome is some form of a rotation, either in Carolina or elsewhere, there are outcomes where Dowdle becomes a locked-in starter. He also has some choice over his next team and can get out of dodge if the winds are blowing more towards Hubbard and Brooks.
Any roster type should consider offering a mid-end veteran or prospect for Dowdle, depending on the state of their roster.
Verdict: Buy Rico Dowdle
New Orleans Saints
Notable Free Agents: Rashid Shaheed, Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau
If Shaheed leaves, there isn’t a clear beneficiary on the roster, and I think a new free agent destination might hurt Shaheed, who has been given the freedom to develop into more than a shot play guy during his time in New Orleans.
I would argue that Shaheed is a medium-priority sell for rebuilders, considering he isn’t the kind of talent to turn around a rebuilding roster, he’s sneakily not that young anymore, and his next situation could well pigeonhole him much more than in New Orleans. However, I don’t consider Shaheed a priority buy for contenders as he’s been a below-average option this season, and it’s incredibly unclear how a deadline trade might affect his role and opportunity.
The Saints tight end room might be clearing up for Juwan Johnson, who in turn gets a slight bump. But, after cooling off from a strong early season, I’d argue he’s purely a hold for most teams. A rebuilder should sell him in the offseason, as he’ll play next season at 30 years old.
Verdict: The 2026 offseason will create a sell window for rebuilding Juwan Johnson owners, but he’s great depth for competing/contending owners.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Notable Free Agents: Rachaad White, Mike Evans, Cade Otton
Rachaad White and Cade Otton are urgent sells for rebuilders, as they’re currently mediocre assets whose situations will not get any better on new teams.
I would argue that a White free agency does not affect Bucky Irving much, as he’s already pretty much dusted White for playing time when healthy, including in the 2024-25 postseason. Sean Tucker could be a sneaky stash, but I don’t see much benefit in stashing a player just to maybe have a handcuff in one year.
Aside from telling you to buy Emeka Egbuka, which is pretty much impossible right now, a Mike Evans departure doesn’t change much.
As far as what to do with Mike Evans, he’s a pretty urgent rebuilder sell, but his current injury complicates things. However, I would argue that anybody inclined towards selling Evans should bite the bullet and do it before the deadline anyways. At 32 years old, yes Evans might increase a little in value by getting healthy after the deadline, but his total value is capped by his age and health. I don’t think owners are gaining that much by waiting an additional 6 months for the peak of the offseason just to get back a vacuous amount of additional value.
Evans could be a sneaky buy for deep contenders who don’t strictly need Evans to do anything. He could just be a free option for them.
Verdict: Sell Rachaad White and Cade Otton. Rebuilders should just sell Evans, even if it’s a “sell low”.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Notable Free Agents: Emari Demercado, Bam Knight
The Cardinals’ running back room could go through some major changes next year. Not only are the depth options slated to leave, but more importantly, James Conner’s contract is very cuttable next season.
If the Cardinals do release Conner, Trey Benson gets the first crack at being the RB1 next year. However, I’m not bought in enough on Benson as a talent to call him a buy. He’s a good pivot for rebuilding or retooling teams that have aging, productive veterans and want to take a shot on a currently injured player.
While Benson feels extremely likely to start next year as the Cardinals’ RB1, he may not be good enough to avoid a committee. It’s also not quite clear to me how high the Cardinals really are on Benson internally.
Verdict: Benson is an interesting pivot for rebuilders and retoolers, but not a priority buy.
Los Angeles Rams
Notable Free Agents: Tyler Higbee
Terrance Ferguson is an excellent buy if he’s currently collecting dust on a contending team’s bench. Sean McVay really, really liked Ferguson in the draft. So much so that when the Rams traded back out of their first pick, general manager Les Snead had to assure McVay that Ferguson would still be available at their new draft slot.
Already in training camp, the Rams’ beat was reporting that Ferguson was viewed internally as the long-term successor to Tyler Higbee.
While Higbee’s role hasn’t been particularly exciting for fantasy, Ferguson can forge his own role simply by being better and more explosive than Higbee. When Ferguson gets a chance, he will control his own destiny in terms of creating a fantasy-friendly tight end role in Los Angeles.
Verdict: All owner types should buy Terrance Ferguson
San Francisco 49ers
Notable Free Agents: Jauan Jennings
I honestly don’t think a Jennings free agency decision, one way or the other, drastically changes the fortunes of any of the wide receivers who would be affected, despite appearing to open up opportunity.
In terms of the Niners’ receiver room, this remains an ambiguous position group with lots of opportunity and uncertainty regardless of whether Jennings is on the roster or not. This room is begging for somebody to take over, and whether it’s a two-horse race or a three-horse race, the most important variables remain the development of Ricky Pearsall and the health of Brandon Aiyuk.
In Jennings’ case, if he leaves he’s not going to be an undisputed WR1 anywhere, so he’ll likewise remain in an ambiguous group.
Verdict: Weirdly nothing. They’re all just holds.
Seattle Seahawks
Notable Free Agents: Kenneth Walker
The Seahawks are an extremely confusing situation, as it’s not entirely clear to me how much they’ll prioritize extending Kenneth Walker. I think they’d like to, but I’m not positive they will once numbers get thrown around.
To make the Seahawks even more confusing, Cooper Kupp’s contract is technically cuttable next year, but would leave the Seahawks with $8 million in dead cap.
Based on these situations, Zach Charbonnet and Tory Horton might be interesting rebuilder buys, but in both cases I think they’re most likely to remain blocked in 2026. It would depend a ton on cost, and on a team-by-team basis.
Verdict: Can look to add Charbonnet and Horton as pieces in more important packages, but wouldn’t prioritize them as standalones.