As we approach the 2025 fantasy football season, dynasty managers are already deep into roster evaluation. Tough decisions are being made on whether to keep trade cut. Whether you’re rebuilding, reloading, or making a championship push, this keep trade cut article will help you make strategic roster moves as you prepare for the upcoming season.
Trade Advice | Waiver Wire Moves
Baltimore Ravens | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | WR | ZAY FLOWERS
Since joining the Ravens, Zay Flowers has led the team in all major receiving categories. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken stated “We’ve just got to get him the ball more. He’s an unbelievable football player. He’s not only an outside receiver that has elite route-running skills, but he’s unbelievable with the ball in his hands. So you have a guy that really plays two spots.” The future looks bright for Zay Flowers.
TRADE | WR | RASHOD BATEMAN
Rashod Bateman is coming off career highs for receiving yards (756) and touchdowns (9). Capitalize on these numbers to “trade away high,” as Bateman is a prime candidate for regression
CUT | RB | RASHEEN ALI
The touches behind Derrick Henry are limited. Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell offer a skill set that is more complementary to Derrick Henry. Rasheen Ali appears to be the odd man out in this backfield, and Garret Price could not be more sad.
Buffalo Bills
KEEP | RB | RAY DAVIS
Buffalo was a top-10 team in rushing last season, finishing 9th overall with 2,230 yards on the ground. Currently, James Cook is in a contract dispute, and this situation could get messy with Cook missing voluntary OTAs and may not attend mandatory minicamp. If Cook were to miss time, Ray Davis has the frame to handle a significant workload.
TRADE | WR | ELIJAH MOORE
Elijah Moore arrived in the NFL with a lot of hype. Unfortunately, his production hasn’t matched the expectations. Now with his 3rd team in 5 years, Moore looks to revive his career. I would attempt to package Moore and a later draft pick and try to move up in your rookie drafts.
CUT | WR | LAVISKA SHENAULT
I was not even aware Laviska Shenault signed with the Buffalo Bills. Shockingly, he is still 3% owned among dynasty leagues. It is disappointing that Shenault never evolved into the offensive weapon that many envisioned and will likely be a roster cut.
Cincinnati Bengals | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | RB | CHASE BROWN
Many were shocked when the Bengals did not invest in the running back position during the offseason. Cincinnati is showing its trust in Chase Brown, and he is primed to be the workhorse back in the Bengals’ offense. I expect Brown to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards and possibly double-digit touchdowns.
TRADE | WR | TEE HIGGINS
As long as Tee Higgins is in Cincinnati, he will also be the second fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase. He is a solid WR2 option, but some fantasy managers are willing to pay low-end WR1 value for him.
CUT | WR | CHARLIE JONES
I understand the appeal of wanting a piece of the Bengals offense. Unfortunately, Charlie Jones is the 7th option in the Bengals passing game at best. At 5% ownership, that roster spot could be used on better options.
Denver Broncos
KEEP | RB | RJ HARVEY
It is hard to find a player that had a higher draft trajectory than RJ Harvey. Harvey is expected to be a key part of the offense, especially with coach Sean Payton’s history of heavily utilizing running backs in the receiving game.
TRADE | WR | COURTLAND SUTTON
Courtland Sutton had his best fantasy season of his career in 2024, finishing as the WR15 overall. Sutton will be 31 and is in the final year of his deal. He is a prime candidate for regression.
CUT | RB | AUDRIC ESTIME
The Broncos’ offseason was not kind to Audric Estime. After Denver drafted RJ Harvey and signed J.K. Dobbins, Estime is now battling with Jaleel McLaughlin. Unfortunately, Estime does not offer the receiving ability or special teams usage that McLaughlin does.
Houston Texans | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | RB | WOODY MARKS
I am always intrigued when a team trades up for a player in the NFL Draft, and that is exactly what the Texans did to acquire Woody Marks. Houston sent significant draft capital to obtain the services of Marks, which makes me believe they have a specific plan to utilize him in their offense. Marks has tremendous PPR value.
TRADE | RB | NICK CHUBB
The best days of Nick Chubb are behind him. Chubb has had several leg injuries throughout his career and will be 30 during the 2025 NFL season. Use this opportunity to trade away Chubb while there is still some appeal.
CUT | RB | DAMEON PIERCE
Dameon Pierce is still rostered in 14% of Sleeper leagues. Pierce has declined in every significant statistical rushing category since joining the league in 2022. With his limited usage on special teams, Pierce may be a roster cut candidate.
Kansas City Chiefs
KEEP | WR | RASHEE RICE
Before being lost to a season-ending injury in Week 4 of the 2024 season, Rashee Rice was the WR11 in fppg. While a suspension is still possible for Rice, he is poised to take over as Patrick Mahomes’ top receiving target.
TRADE | RB | ISIAH PACHECO
After returning from injury, Isiah Pacheco did not look like the same runner. Pacheco’s highest finish was RB31. Pacheco will also battle for touches with Kansas City re-signing Kareem Hunt and the additions of Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell.
CUT | WR | SKYY MOORE
I was shocked to see that Skyy Moore still had a 10% ownership throughout Sleeper’s dynasty platforms. The fourth-year wideout’s chances in Kansas City are over, and he is on the outside looking in at a very crowded receiver room.
Los Angeles Chargers | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | TE | ORONDE GADSDEN II
I will be the first to admit that I was not a fan of Oronde Gadsen’s tape. Some of my concerns with Gadsen included his run blocking and smaller frame. However, Gadsden was the breakout star during the Chargers OTAs. If he can continue to impress coaches, he could become a viable option in TE premium leagues.
TRADE | RB | NAJEE HARRIS
Najee Harris has not had the optimal start to his Chargers career. Harris is expected to miss the start of training camp after being involved in a fireworks incident during the Fourth of July. Los Angeles also added rookie running back Omarion Hampton, which does not bode well for the production of the 27-year-old Harris.
CUT | WR | BRENDEN RICE
I was amazed to see that Brenden Rice has 30% ownership in Sleeper leagues. After failing to record a reception in his rookie year, Rice is competing for a roster spot.
Pittsburgh Steelers
KEEP | RB | KALEB JOHNSON
Kaleb Johnson landed in the perfect system for his skill set. Johnson’s run style is the ideal replacement for Najee Harris, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in the offseason. I expect at least 200 touches for Johnson and a high-end RB2 finish.
TRADE | QB | AARON RODGERS
Aaron Rodgers finished his 2024 NFL season strong totaling 3 QB1 finishes over his final six games. Use this information during your negotiation process and acquire a 2026 2nd round pick.
CUT | TE | DARNELL WASHINGTON
Darnell Washington was once viewed as an exciting prospect due to his athleticism and receiving ability. Washington has spent most of his time in a backup role to Pat Freiermuth. Now, with the recent acquisition of Jonnu Smith, Washington is the odd man out.
Be On The Lookout!
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next article where I will discuss the rest of the AFC teams and who to Keep Trade Cut.
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