In this continued offseason series, we will break down one player from each NFL team who is currently being overlooked. At the same time, that player could provide great depth/potential to a deep dynasty league roster. These players are worth picking up if they are in your free agency. They are also players you may want to reconsider keeping if they are fringe roster cut options. I will try to convince you why they are worth a roster spot for now. Of course, the NFL Draft and free agency period could diminish each player’s value, but we need to be making sure we bolster our roster(s) as much as we can. One division will be broken down, and today is all about the NFC East. 

COMMANDERS

SAM HOWELL

Sam Howell has earned the presumed QB1 spot for Washington after the release of Carson Wentz and the anticipated departure of Taylor Heinicke. “For now.” They could turn to free agency for a veteran this offseason, but recent reports indicate they are out on Lamar Jackson. Sure, they could target Jimmy Garoppolo or a lesser name like Jameis Winston. But that doesn’t make much sense if this team is rebuilding its offense. The other option is to draft a highly coveted player with an immense amount of potential. The problem there is that they have to wait until pick 16 to grab one of those guys. Unless they trade up of course. But even that will be tough with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis expected to go somewhere in the top-12. 

Commanders GM Martin Mayhew came out and stated that Howell will have every opportunity to win the QB1 spot this offseason. It makes for Washington to give their 2022 Week 18 starting quarterback a shot after drafting him in the fifth round a year ago. The 22-year-old has a tremendous college production background, and he faired well in his lone start last season (see above). I’m not saying he’s someone you should be aggressive in trading for this offseason, but if you have any current shares, there’s no reason to sell (unless someone is willing to overpay). And if he is in your free agency, he could serve as a decent QB3/QB4 option right now. He’s not much of a risk, and he could produce a solid reward for your dynasty club. 

COWBOYS

JAKE FERGUSON

Dalton Schultz is likely going to receive the 2020 off-season Austin Hooper award. That means some team is going to OVERPAY him and force his exit from Dallas. Reports from a few days ago indicate that Dallas didn’t even conduct a contract meeting with the 26-year-old pass-catcher. So what does that mean for the tight end room in Dallas? The only two tight ends under guaranteed contracts for next season are Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. Based on last year’s production and the “eyeball test,” Ferguson would be the easy choice to serve as the team’s TE1 next season. Of course, Dallas could go out and sign a replacement, but in limited action last season, Ferguson performed well. 

Schultz hauled in 19 of his 22 receptions for 174 yards, averaging 9.2 yards per catch, and he found the endzone twice. He did that on a run-first offense that relied heavily on Schultz, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Noah Brown, and Tony Pollard when they did air it out. He lined up on 480 of the team’s 1,291 offensive snaps, resulting in a measly 37 percent snap count on the season. Imagine what he could do if he replaced Schultz’s 938 snaps. Until Dallas addresses the tight end position, Ferguson’s value will likely increase throughout the offseason. Dak Prescott has ALWAYS relied on his tight ends. Since entering the league, the TE1 for Dallas has finished as the TE11 or better, in PPR leagues, in six of his seven seasons played. 

EAGLES

KENNETH GAINWELL

There’s uncertainty surrounding Miles Sanders and his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 25-year-old is set to hit the open market, and Philly could look to move on from the talented back. In relief of Sanders last season, Kenneth Gainwell stood out as someone who could potentially take up some of his snaps on offense. Surely, Gainwell has been more of a pass-catching back since entering the league two years ago, but what he did down the stretch this past season cannot be overlooked. In Philadelphia’s three-game postseason run, Gainwell turned 33 carries into 181 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also hauled in seven of his nine targets for 55 yards. He did so while sharing snaps with Sanders and Boston Scott.

In an offseason where the Eagles are going to desperately try to re-sign a lot of their own players, they might have to move on from Sanders and possibly Scott as well. Only Gainwell and Trey Sermon are under guaranteed contracts next season, with Kennedy Brooks under a reserve/future rights contract as well. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles bring in a veteran or bring back a familiar face in Scott. As of now, Gainwell is a “must-keep” back for your dynasty roster. Especially those of you who play in deep leagues. Although he doesn’t have the prototypical size and frame of a true RB1, he can be a serviceable and dynamic back in this league for a long time. 

GIANTS

ISAIAH HODGINS

Isaiah Hodgins came out of nowhere last season. After spending a little over a season with the Buffalo Bills, he found himself quickly implemented in Brian Daboll’s offense in New York. Things sort of lucked out for Hodgins to find the field, but once he did, it was all uphill from there. The Giants opened the 2022-23 season with Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Kadarius Toney, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton expected to lead the wide receiver group. Both Shepard and Robinson suffered season-ending ACL tears, and Golladay found himself in the doghouse with Daboll early. Toney was also shipped out to Kansas City midway through the season. That left Slayton, a subpar Richie James, and the electric emergence of Hodgins. In Weeks 10-17, Hodgins collected 33 receptions and turned them into 351 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Keep in mind, Daniel Jones only threw for 15 touchdowns on the season. Hodgins was also dominant in the Giants’ first-round win over the Vikings, as he hauled in eight of his nine targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. 

New York is desperately going to do whatever they can to improve their wide receiver room this offseason, but they obviously found something in Hodgins. During that stretch in Weeks 10-17, he served as the WR21. In the fantasy playoffs (Weeks 15-17), he was the WR16. His value is lower than it should be right now. Even if New York goes out and trades for a bonafide star or drafts a high-caliber rookie, Hodgins will see plenty of the field. He’s a solid WR3, who should be held onto in dynasty. He’s only 24 years old, and he may have the best chemistry with Jones, who’s sticking around after signing a four-year $160M contract. 

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