That doesn't mean there's nothing to do or look forward to. If you're rebuilding, there are still plenty of moves to make and value to gain. Now is the time to acquire players whose dynasty stock is still rising while moving veterans whose value could decline over the next six months.

Buy

RB Travis Etienne, NO

I don't think there's a player I'm trying to buy more this year than Saints running back Travis Etienne.

I touched on the new offense in the Big Easy in my July Contenders Digest when I covered Devin Neal, but this offense is on the upswing. Tyler Shough looks legitimate after starting just nine games as a rookie. The passing attack got another boost with rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, and now the running game has been reinforced with Etienne.

Etienne has an outside shot at finishing as the overall RB1 this season, yet he isn't being valued anywhere close to that. You might think I'm crazy, but let's look at his recent production.

Last season, he finished as the RB10 after rushing 260 times for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 36 receptions for 292 yards and six receiving touchdowns on 52 targets.

In 2023, he finished as the RB3 with 267 carries for 1,008 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns while catching 58 passes for 476 yards and another score.

We've already seen Etienne handle a heavy workload efficiently. Last season he averaged 4.26 yards per carry and owns a career average of 4.20.

The biggest question is what he'll do behind the Saints' offensive line. It's one of the most divisive units in football, with rankings ranging from ninth to 27th depending on the outlet, averaging around 18th overall. That's very similar to where Jacksonville's line was viewed entering last season, so I don't expect a dramatic drop in efficiency.

With an improved passing game creating lighter boxes and extending drives, the rushing volume should be there. Even with Devin Neal and Kendre Miller on the roster, both project more as complementary backs than players capable of seriously cutting into Etienne's workload.

I also love Etienne's receiving upside. He finished with the 10th-most targets among running backs last season. Even with Alvin Kamara still on the roster, I expect Etienne to become the primary receiving back. We've seen multiple fantasy RB1 seasons from Kamara fueled largely by his receiving work, and this coaching staff still targeted an aging, banged-up Kamara four times per game last season.

Right now, Etienne is valued around RB18. He's grouped with aging veterans like Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry or uncertain options like Bucky Irving and Cam Skattebo.

Yet you're getting a player with legitimate top-five upside who is under contract for at least the next two seasons before the team even has a favorable option to move on. He's 27 years old, which gives some dynasty managers pause, but Jonathan Taylor (27), Kenneth Walker (26), and Chase Brown (26) are all valued at least 10 spots higher.

You're getting a true bell-cow back with proven top-five production and a top-12 floor at nearly half the price. I'd happily trade either Josh Jacobs or Derrick Henry for Etienne and expect to get a late-round rookie pick back. You could also package a 2027 second-round pick with someone like Blake Corum and probably get a deal done.

Sell

WR Nico Collins, HOU

When you're rebuilding, you need to identify players you can sell at or near their peak value before that value begins to decline. Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is exactly that player.

I like Collins, but I struggle to justify having him on my rebuilding dynasty roster. He's been very consistent since C.J. Stroud became Houston's starting quarterback, but that doesn't guarantee the trend continues. I think Collins can still produce this season, but I'm much less confident about his long-term outlook.

The Texans drafted two wide receivers last year who flashed their potential despite inconsistent rookie seasons. Stroud has also settled in as more of a good NFL quarterback than an elite fantasy one. Constant offensive coordinator turnover hasn't helped, but he has yet to throw more than 23 touchdowns in a season or pace for more than 26 over 17 games. If Stroud continues hovering around 25 passing touchdowns annually, Collins' ceiling remains limited.

Despite that, Collins has finished as the WR12, WR2, WR3, and WR8 during the Stroud era while averaging just under eight targets per game. That's outstanding consistency, but if the quarterback doesn't take another step, how does Collins significantly improve from here?

Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel will continue earning larger roles, while Tank Dell returns from injury. Dalton Schultz is still involved at tight end as well. The only real positive is the lack of a pass-catching running back, but there are still a lot of mouths to feed in an offense that may not score enough touchdowns to support everyone.

Collins is currently valued as the WR11, which feels close to his ceiling.

Selling him now could hurt your lineup this season, but it's the type of move that pays off long term. I'd look for a 2027 first-round pick plus a young player like Christian Watson or one of this year's rookie receivers not named Lemon, Tate, or Tyson.

The future only becomes murkier beyond that. Collins is under contract through next season before potentially hitting free agency at age 29.

Could he land in a better situation? Maybe, but it's unlikely. His contract carries a massive dead-cap hit, making a trade difficult, and I don't see Houston receiving a return comparable to what Philadelphia got for A.J. Brown.

That likely leaves Collins either negotiating another contract with Houston or entering free agency at an age when dynasty managers typically begin discounting wide receivers.

I don't like aging receivers who are already priced near their ceiling. Add in Collins' lengthy injury history -- he has yet to play a full season through five NFL campaigns -- and now feels like the perfect time to cash out before his dynasty value begins to slip.

Deep Sleeper

WR Luke McCaffrey, WAS

I mentioned the Saints earlier as an up-and-coming offense, but Washington deserves mention as well.

After a surprising 2024 season led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders took a step back in 2025, largely because Daniels missed significant time. Heading into 2026, they look poised to rebound.

Daniels is healthy again. Washington upgraded tight end by adding Chigoziem Okonkwo to pair with Terry McLaurin. The biggest question now is who starts opposite McLaurin.

Last season, that role belonged to Deebo Samuel, who finished as the WR25 with 72 receptions, 727 yards, and five touchdowns.

Now it's wide open.

Brandon Aiyuk once looked like the favorite to sign, but a recent social media outburst has made that seem less likely. Samuel could always return, while free agent Stefon Diggs also remains an option. Washington could simply move forward with rookie Antonio Williams, disappointing veteran Treylon Burks, Jaylin Lane, and my favorite deep sleeper, Luke McCaffrey.

Why McCaffrey over Lane?

Since both are essentially free and often sitting on waiver wires, it comes down to projected role.

Lane lined up outside on 62% of his routes last season. McCaffrey was much more versatile, lining up outside on only 56.3% of his routes. That more flexible alignment mirrors the role Samuel filled last season, which tends to be more heavily featured in this offensive scheme.

The outside receiver spot is also easier to replace. Burks spent 78.6% of his snaps there last year, making him the more natural fit if Washington simply wants another perimeter receiver.

If the Commanders sign either Samuel or Diggs, McCaffrey's opportunities this season would certainly take a hit. However, Samuel is 30 and Diggs is 32, meaning either would likely sign only a one-year deal.

McCaffrey's college production wasn't particularly impressive, but after two NFL seasons -- even with one shortened -- he appears to be developing. Learning to play outside after spending most of his early career in the slot has expanded his game. He's also added strength to his 6-foot-2 frame and now plays bigger than his listed 195 pounds.

Right now, the opportunity is there for him to win the WR2 job and become a productive fantasy asset.

If Washington signs another veteran, you've lost almost nothing by taking a chance on a player who is likely sitting on your waiver wire anyway.