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
Arizona Cardinals | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | RB | TREY BENSON
If you have read any of my articles, you know that I am a Trey Benson truther. Benson was my top-rated running back coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft. In Benson’s limited number of touches, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and showed flashes of the explosive player he was at Florida State. During the NFL Draft Combine, Head Coach Johnathan Gannon stated “That’s how I kind of view those guys. You see certain teams out there that have two No. 1s, I would say. I think we should have two No. 1s next year.”
TRADE | RB | JAMES CONNER
James Conner is now 30-years old and is coming off a career high in carries. Over his career, Conner has missed 18 games due to various injuries. Arizona seems more comfortable leaning into a timeshare approach, rather than running Conner as the bellcow back he was in 2024. As far as trade-wise, I would look at a running back-needy team and get their 2026 2nd round pick. I would also look at some 2nd-year wide receivers such as Keon Coleman or Xavier Legette.
CUT | QB | CLAYTON TUNE
With the signing of journeyman Jacoby Brissett, Clayton Tune appears to be the odd man out. While not a reliable starter, Brissett has shown to be a dependable backup. Tune’s sole start for the Cardinals was in 2023, where he threw for 58 yards and 2 interceptions.
Atlanta Falcons
KEEP | WR | DRAKE LONDON
Drake London is set to command a massive target share in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. targeted Drake London on 39% of his pass attempts directed toward wide receivers, which is significantly above London’s full-season target share of 28.3% in 2024. London is set to emerge as an elite fantasy wide receiver option.
TRADE | TE | KYLE PITTS
Stop me if you heard this before, this is the Kyle Pitts breakout season. The hype train is back in service for Pitts with the recent comments from quarterback Michael Penix. “See, we got KP the ball today,” Penix said unprompted, referencing the involvement of tight end Kyle Pitts in the offense Thursday. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I would look to trade Pttts away for Mason Taylor and future draft assets.
CUT | QB | EASTON STICK
After 6 years with the Los Angeles Chargers, Easton Stick signed a 1 year, $1,337,500 contract with the Atlanta Falcons. With Kirk Cousins still on the roster, Stick’s role will be the emergency 3rd quarterback, which currently has no fantasy value. Stick’s 3% ownership can be used elsewhere.
Carolina Panthers | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | QB | BRYCE YOUNG
Bryce Young took a major step in his development under Head Coach Dave Canales. Over his final 10 games of the season, Young threw for 15 touchdown passes to just 6 interceptions. Under Canales, Young displayed improvement in decision-making, confidence, and deep‑ball capability, while cutting down significantly on his mistakes.
TRADE | WR | ADAM THIELEN
Adam Thielen contemplated retiring in the offseason but decided to come back for a 12th NFL season. At 34-years old, Thielen has acknowledged this could be his final season. There have been rumors that Thielen may be on the trade block with a possible reunion in Minnesota. I would love to trade Thielen straight up for current teammate Jalen Coker. Other options include Calvin Austin, Troy Franklin, or Roman Wilson.
CUT | RB | RAHEEM BLACKSHEAR
Somehow, Raheem Blackshear is still rostered in 4% of Sleeper leagues. Blackshear resigned in the offseason with the Panthers on a one-year deal. If Blackshear can make the team, he will be primarily used on special teams.
Chicago Bears
KEEP | RB | KYLE MONANGAI
The Chicago Bears’ offense has been one of the biggest offseason buzzes with Ben Johnson taking over as head coach. Training Camp reports indicate that Kyle Monangai is maximizing the opportunities provided to him. Ben Johnson is quoted as saying, “I’m very pleased with where he’s at,” Johnson said after Family Fest. “I think he’s a guy we’re gonna be able to trust this fall.”
TRADE | RB | D’ANDRE SWIFT
Ben Johnson loves to utilize a committee backfield. D’Andre Swift knows all about that after being with Ben Johnson in Detroit (as his offensive coordinator). When Johnson became OC in Detroit, Swift’s carries decreased by nearly 35% from 151 to 99. In looking at trade value for Swift, I would look to package Swift with a late pick or a fringe player for a 2026 1st or Ricky Pearsall.
CUT | WR | OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS
Olamide Zaccheaus is the victim of being in one of the most talented wide receiver rooms in the NFL. Zaccheaus is buried behind Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Luther Burden, as well as tight end receiving options Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland.
Minnesota Vikings | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | QB | J.J. MCCARTHY
Some may believe that J.J. McCarthy missing his entire rookie season due to injury hurt his progression as an NFL quarterback. I would disagree as I felt McCarthy should have stayed another year in college, so not being thrown immediately to the wolves and to learn from offensive genius Kevin O’Connell only helped his development. O’Connell has shown his ability to produce fantasy relevant quarterbacks, and McCarthy should be no different.
TRADE | RB | AARON JONES SR.
Aaron Jones is coming off a career high in carries (255) and will be a 31-year old running back this season. Minnesota traded for Jordan Mason then signed him to a two-year, $10.5 million deal with over $7 million guaranteed. This is leaning towards a 50/50 split so I would be looking to move Jones. I would love to be able to get a younger promising player such as Isaiah Likely or Mason Taylor.
CUT | TE | JOSH OLIVER
With T.J. Hockenson fully healthy, Josh Oliver can go back to waiver wires. In 2024, Oliver was thrust into starting role while Hockenson was injured. Oliver was considered a meaningful addition to the running game and can now revert back to that role as he was graded as the sixth-best run-blocking tight end by Pro Football Focus (PFF) during the 2022 season.
New Orleans Saints | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | WR | RASHID SHAHEED
There are not many pieces of the Saints offense that I would want to keep, but this is a KTC article. Shaheed got off to a hot start with at least 15.7 PPR points in 4 of his first 6 games before getting injured in Week 6 that ultimately ended his 2024 season. Shaheed stands out as one of the few Saints worth keeping.
TRADE | RB | ALVIN KAMARA
If you are not competing, consider trading away Alvin Kamara. Now at 30-years old, Kamara still holds value because of his PPR value. In terms of trading away Kamara, I would try to trade straight up for Cam Skattebo or a Trey Benson plus type deal. If you are a team competing, I would also look to acquire Kamara. Start your negotiations off with a couple 2nd round picks and see where that takes you.
CUT | TE | TAYSOM HILL
The Taysom Hill experience may be over in New Orleans. Hill continues to rehab from a torn ACL he suffered in December. New Orleans can cut the soon-to-be 35-year-old Hill and save $10 million toward the 2025 salary cap.
New York Giants
KEEP | TE | THEO JOHNSON
Theo Johnson missed significant time as a rookie with a foot injury, but over his final 5 games in 2024, he posted an intriguing 18-216-1 line on 27 targets. Johnson is also a freak athlete. Theo Johnson has a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.93 out of a possible 10.00–a performance that ranked 9th among the top tight ends in NFL history. There is room in this offense for another receiving option outside of Malik Nabers, so why not Theo Johnson?
TRADE | QB | RUSSELL WILSON
Russell Wilson will turn 37 this fall. His potential successor is also on the Giants roster in Jaxson Dart. Wilson has already shown signs of physical decline in scrambling ability and less consistent deep ball accuracy. If you are out of championship contention, consider trading Wilson for a future 2nd-round pick or, if possible, Shedeur Sanders.
CUT | QB | TOMMY DEVITO
The quaterback room in New York is extermely crowded. Even with a strong preseason, Tommy Devito is the odd man out and is safe to cut from your dynasty rosters. Devito could still land on the Giants practice squad.
Seattle Seahwks | Keep Trade Cut
KEEP | WR | TORY HORTON
Rookie Tory Horton continues to have an impressive training camp and preseason. Horton has been getting first-team reps over Marquez Valdes-Scantling since the beginning of August. In Horton’s preseason game against the Raiders, he had a team-high 3 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. Horton has all the potential to be a 2025 “sleeper.”
TRADE | QB | SAM DARNOLD
During free agency, Sam Darnold signed a 3-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. However, Seattle can potentially cut him after the first year, with only $37.5 million in dead cap. I don’t view Darnold as anything more than a bridge quarterback. I would love to swap Sam Darnold for Bryce Young or Josh Downs.
CUT | QB | DREW LOCK
Drew Lock has shown he is only a serviceable backup quarterback. Lock is also competing with rookie Jalen Milroe who offers a greater upside than Lock due to his versatility as a runner.
As this series comes to a close, I just want to take a moment to say thank you. I hope you enjoyed reading this keep trade cut article as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you Nerds for all your support and God Bless!
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