The Green Bay Packers released veteran kicker Brandon McManus on Friday after drafting University of Florida kicker Trey Smack in the sixth round last month, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. McManus' run in Green Bay comes to an end after two seasons with the Packers, in which he made 44 of his 51 field-goal attempts (6-for-8 from 50-plus yards) and 62 of his 63 extra-point attempts in 25 regular-season games. The 34-year-old, 12-year veteran and former Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos is nearing the end of the line in the NFL after a solid career that has seen him make 82% of his field-goal attempts in 186 regular-season games. With McManus gone, the Packers figure to have a kicking competition this summer between Smack and Lucas Havrisik. McManus wasn't 100% healthy last year in Green Bay and was successful on 24 of his 30 field-goal tries and 32 of his 33 extra-point attempts in his 14 regular-season games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues will want to avoid the Packers' kicking situation in 2026.

After a down year in 2024, New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. bounced back in a big way while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. Across 17 games, Etienne Jr. recorded 1,399 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns on 296 touches. His resurgence earned him a significant commitment from the Saints, who signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract in March. While legendary Saints running back Alvin Kamara currently remains on the team's roster, the organization's financial ties to Etienne Jr. signify a changing of the guard. Etienne Jr. offers a three-down skill set and should dominate touches and playing time in the Saints' backfield. The offense around him in New Orleans should also be an improved unit in the team's second year with Tyler Shough at quarterback and head coach Kellen Moore calling plays. As he enters his age-27 season, Etienne Jr. profiles as a reliable starting running back option for dynasty managers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell put together the most productive season of his career while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, recording 1,023 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games. Gainwell emerged as a security blanket for Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the passing game, finishing the year with 73 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns on 85 targets. The Bucs rewarded Gainwell with a two-year contract in free agency, and he now projects as the 1B option in the Tampa Bay backfield behind Bucky Irving. Gainwell may not see as many targets from Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield as he did from Rodgers, which would hurt his fantasy production. However, Gainwell should still play a role in the Tampa Bay passing game and could emerge as the team's go-to option in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Irving also has to be considered an injury risk after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries in 2025. Gainwell's dynasty value would have benefited more had he signed somewhere as a clear starter, but his stock is still up following his breakout 2025 season in Pittsburgh.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones showed he still carries some starting potential in 2025, completing 69.6% of his pass attempts for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 11 games (eight starts). Jones stepped into the 49ers QB1 role when Brock Purdy went down early in the year with toe and shoulder injuries and performed admirably. While Purdy's presence blocks Jones from fantasy-relevant playing time in San Francisco, 2026 is his final year under contract with the 49ers. At just 27 years old, Jones could land with a team that views him as a starter when he hits free agency next spring. San Francisco could also look to trade him at some point before the 2026 trade deadline, which would be another path to a potential starting role. Either way, deeper-league dynasty managers may want to consider stashing Jones for his long-term upside.