Say it with me, “It’s time to give in and rebuild. My current team is not a competitor.”
Congratulations, acknowledgment is the first step in the right direction. Now, you’re entering that productive struggle period and wondering, what players should I begin looking to pivot off to? Part two of this series will highlight a player at each position that rebuilding owners should be looking to acquire this off-season.
Trades were found from the DynastyGM feature on DynastyNerds.com
Zach Wilson, QB NYJ
He may not have started the season off hot, but Wilson showed promise when he returned from his injury towards the end of the 2021 season. He enters the 2022 season with two exciting young weapons in Elijah Moore and Michael Carter. The Jets also find themselves in a prime position, cap-wise, to add more to their offense to take that next step as a franchise longing for success.
If the current Wilson owner in your league is a box score watcher, you may be able to swoop in and take advantage. Finishing as QB30 on the year, Wilson is a prime example of a young QB with high draft capital that you should look to add to your rebuilding team in the future.
Recent Trades for Wilson:
- Wilson for a 2023 1st
- Wilson for a 2022 1st and 2022 4th
- Wilson for Jalen Hurts and a 2022 1st
Michael Carter, RB NYJ
Staying in the same organization with this rebuilding running back, Carter falls into the same category as Wilson. Carter finished as the RB29 overall and was RB35 in fantasy PPG during his rookie season. Even though the season totals weren’t eye-opening, Carter averaged 15.59 PPG on 16.3 touches per game from Week 4 through 11. He averaged 85.9 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns during that same time.
After Week 11, Carter suffered a high ankle sprain that kept him out a few games. However, when he was on the field, his 0.27 missed tackles forced per attempt was sixth-best in the league by a running back with at least 100 touches. It is time to go out and buy the Jets RB before the start of 2022.
Recent Trades for Carter:
- Michael Carter for Aaron Jones
- Michael Carter for a 2023 1st
- Michael Carter for Miles Sanders and a 2022 2nd
Devonta Smith, WR PHI
Smith had a pretty “quiet” rookie reason, only putting up 64 receptions for 916 yards and five touchdowns on 104 targets. Keep in mind that the Eagles ranked dead last in total pass attempts (494).
Hauling in a 21% target share, Smith finished as WR30 and left a sour taste in the mouth of his owners. Especially when comparing his season to his fellow rookie classmates of Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle. As Philadelphia incorporates more of a passing game into their offense, Smith will be a big benefactor from now on.
Swoop in and take him at a discount now before he has a chance of blowing up in his sophomore season in the NFL.
Recent Trades for Smith:
- DeVonta Smith and a 2022 1st for DeAndre Hopkins and a 2022 2nd
- DeVonta Smith for Elijah Mitchell and a 2023 2nd
- DeVonta Smith and a 2023 2nd for JuJu Smith-Schuster and a 2022 1st
Dan Arnold, TE JAX
Arnold arrived in Jacksonville in a trade with Carolina for CB C.J. Henderson in 2021. In an injury-shortened season with JAX, Arnold totaled 28 catches and 324 yards on 41 targets over six weeks, one of those being his first week, where he only played in 53% of snaps.
During a five-game stretch from Weeks 5 to 10 (JAX had their bye week in Week 7), he garnered a 21% target share and had at least four catches for 60 yards in four of those games. Doug Pederson is now taking over as Head Coach for the Jaguars, and he has shown an affinity for TEs during his time in Philly.
As Trevor Lawrence continues to develop, look for Pederson to incorporate Arnold in that game plan for the 2022 season.
Recent Trades for Arnold:
- Dan Arnold for a 2022 3rd and a 2024 4th
- Dan Arnold for Justin Jackson and Jonnu Smith
- Dan Arnold for a 2022 3rd
Honorable Mentions
QB: Trevor Lawrence JAX
RB: AJ Dillon GBP
WR: Chase Claypool PIT
TE: David Njoku CLE
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