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
Dallas Cowboys
KEEP | TE | JAKE FERGUSON
The Dallas Cowboys’ tight end Jake Ferguson signed a four-year extension. In 2024, in games Dak Prescott was healthy, Jake Ferguson had 38 receptions for 334 receiving yards on 52 targets. In games without Prescott, Ferguson dropped to 21 receptions and 160 receiving yards on 34 targets. Over his career with Prescott, Ferguson has posted over 121 receptions, 1200 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns in 35 career games. In 23 games without Prescott, Ferguson has 63 receptions, 555 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns.
TRADE | WR | GEORGE PICKENS
George Pickens‘ personality and attitude were not well-received in Pittsburgh, which is why he is now with the Dallas Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb is the unquestioned WR1 in Dallas. I will be very interested to see how George Pickens handles a game where he is not being highlighted. It is easy to say all the right things to the media, but when the bright lights hit, which George Pickens will we see? Trade away at high value and cash out now.
CUT | WR | PARRIS CAMPBELL
During training camp, Parris Campbell suffered an MCL sprain, and he is expected to miss significant time. This does not bode well for his chances to carve out a role in the Dallas offense. The Parris Campbell experiment can finally be cut from your dynasty roster.
Detroit Lions | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | TE | SAM LAPORTA
Many fantasy analysts are ready to move on from Sam Laporta after a slight drop in his production in his second season. However, he still finished as the TE9 with 10.9 FPPG. The tight end position is always a dart throw, and LaPorta has proven to be a solid tight end. LaPorta is still my TE3 in dynasty ranks.
TRADE | QB | JARED GOFF
Jared Goff has been extremely successful during his tenure with the Lions. However, now is the time to part ways with him. Goff has lost Ben Johnson, who was an offensive-minded genius. Another key component of Goff’s success was Detroit’s offensive line. The line is undergoing changes with the retirement of Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free agency. These losses potentially impact his protection and ability to execute play-action passes.
CUT | RB | SIONE VAKI
I was shocked to see that Sione Vaki was at 11% ownership in Sleeper leagues. Vaki is a valuable contributor on special teams, but does not have the same value in fantasy football. Vaki was is dealing with a leg injury with a severity that has yet to be disclosed.
Green Bay Packers
KEEP | TE | TUCKER KRAFT
Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Tucker Kraft ranks second among tight ends in yards per route run, yards per target, and yards per reception. In 2024, Kraft finished 4th in total touchdowns among tight ends. Kraft is poised to take on an even more significant role in the Green Bay Packers offense.
TRADE | WR | CHRISTIAN WATSON
Christian Watson was very close to being my cut for the Green Bay Packers. Watson’s 2025 season is uncertain due to a torn ACL late in the 2024 season. The Packers are deep at wide receiver, and I would not be surprised to see them move on from Watson. Get what little value Watson has left before it’s too late.
CUT | WR | BO MELTON
With an abundance of wide receiver options, Bo Melton appears to be switching to cornerback. Unless you play in an IDP league, Melton can be safely removed from your roster.
Los Angeles Rams | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | TE TERRANCE FERGUSON
While other dynasty players are using 1st round picks of Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, I love the value of Terrance Ferguson. Ferguson is a mid to late 2nd round draft pick in rookie drafts. Ferguson is a highly athletic tight end, excelling in yards after the catch. He has the chance to be a true sleeper tight end.
TRADE | QB MATTHEW STAFFORD
The injuries are starting to pile up on Matthew Stafford. The Rams are taking things extremely slow with Stafford during training camp. The Rams haven’t given a specific diagnosis of what Stafford’s dealing with, but at 37-years old, the door is closing on Stafford’s potential Hall-of-Fame career.
CUT | RB | RONNIE RIVERS
With the drafting of Jarquez Hunter, Ronnie Rivers becomes the expendable rusher in the Rams running back room. Rivers is a core special teams contributor, but as far as a fantasy contributor, you can cut him from your roster.
Philadelphia Eagles
KEEP | RB | WIL SHIPLEY
Wil Shipley has an excellent opportunity to earn the Eagles’ backup running back role behind Saquon Barkley. Given how much Philadelphia leans on its run game, Shipley has the chance to become one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy football.
TRADE | TE | DALLAS GOEDERT
Many would expect A.J. Brown to be my trade candidate, but I still view Brown as a top 12 dynasty wide receiver and expect him to produce at a high level for several more years. There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Eagles’ offense and Goedert seems to be the fourth option in the Eagles passing attack.
CUT | WR | TERRACE MARSHALL JR.
Terrace Marshall is on his third NFL team after signing a one-year prove-it deal with Philadelphia. The Eagles’ passing attack is heavily concentrated on their main weapons, and Marshall has never shown the promise he displayed in college.
San Francisco 49ers | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | QB | BROCK PURDY
Brock Purdy signed a 5-year $265 million contract extension with the 49ers. Purdy thrives in Kyle Shanahan’s system, which emphasizes timing, quick reads, and yards after the catch. Purdy lingers around a low-end QB1, high-end QB2, making him one of the safest dynasty fantasy football quarterbacks.
TRADE | WR | BRANDON AIYUK
It is widely expected that Brandon Aiyuk will begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Aiyuk injured his knee in a Week 7 contest against the Chiefs, where it was discovered that he tore his ACL and MCL. Once Aiyuk returns, he will be competing with Ricky Pearsall, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings for targets.
CUT | QB | KURTIS ROURKE
Kurtis Rourke was selected by the 49ers in the 7th Round of the 2025 NFL Draft after suffering a torn ACL in his final season at Indiana. Rourke begins his NFL career on the active/non-football injured list. I was not high on Rourke coming into the NFL Draft, and this does not help his chances of making a fantasy impact in 2025.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KEEP | RB | BUCKY IRVING
Bucky Irving was one of the biggest fantasy surprises in 2024 after eclipsing 1,100 rushing yards. Irving should thrive in his sophomore season and is one of my favorite second-tier running backs to draft.
TRADE | WR | MIKE EVANS
Mike Evans will go down as one of the greatest receivers of all time, but Father Time eventually will catch up. Evans turns 32 in August, and it is better to be a year early than a year late.
CUT | WR | TREY PALMER
Unfortunately, Trey Palmer is a victim of a very talented wide receiver room. Palmer’s roster availability will largely depend on his special teams usage; however, Tampa Bay selected Tez Johnson in the draft, and I believe he offers a more dynamic ability on special teams, making Palmer a potential roster cut.
Washington Commanders | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | TE | BEN SINNOTT
Don’t give up on Ben Sinnott. We cannot forget the significant draft capital that the Washington Commanders used to draft him. I look for Sinnott to build on his rookie season with 2026 being the year Sinnott is thrust in to a more reliable role.
TRADE | WR | DEEBO SAMUEL SR.
Talent has never been the issue with Deebo Samuel Sr.‘s production. Samuel’s problem has been health, as he has failed to play a full season, missing 19 games over 6 seasons. Reception Perception‘s Matt Harmon also noted that Deebo’s 39.7% success rate against man coverage is the third lowest rate that he has ever charted. Sell Deebo while there is still value.
CUT | WR | MICHAEL GALLUP
Michael Gallup signed with the Commanders after stepping away from the NFL for a year. Unfortunately, Gallup’s injury history has resurfaced in minicamp with a reported hamstring strain. Gallup has an uphill battle to make the Commanders roster and he should be back on the waiver wire and not clogging your roster.
Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for the following article, where I will move on to the NFC Hopefuls and discuss who to keep, trade, or cut.
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ICYMI: AFC Hopefuls Keep Trade Cut
If you missed Mychal’s second installment of his league-wide Keep Trade Cut series, be sure to check it out for advice on 24 more players:
