Potential NFL Cut Candidates To Buy In Dynasty

Chew highlights a few players to buy ahead of NFL Free Agency that could be on the chopping block.

If you haven’t noticed I love the NFL offseason! There are some offseason happenings that are predictable. Such as when free agency starts and who even is a free agent. But there are other offseason details that have a bit more uncertainty. I am of course talking about players released during or prior to free agency.

Before we dig in, if you find this even remotely intriguing please consider subscribing. Stay calm! We’re getting to the cut candidates.

The First Cut Is The Deepest

These players are sourced from the Over The Cap article highlighting the top 100 possible cut candidates. I have selected one buy in dynasty at each position that I agree could be cut based on cap relief or rumors. And with each buy I have three trades sourced from Dynasty Daddy’s trade database (Superflex leagues).

Aaron Rodgers

2024 Stats (15.7 fantasy points per game)

Passing: 368 completions / 584 attempts - 3,897 yards - 28 TD’s - 11 INT’s

Rushing: 22 attempts - 107 yards

Rodgers enters his 21st NFL season where he turns 42 by December. His 2024 stats were on par with his last full season (2022), despite coming back from an Achilles injury in the first game of 2023. Regardless of his recovery, Rodgers has been informed by the Jets that they are going in a different direction at quarterback in 2025. So as long as Rodgers doesn’t retire, he is set for his third and possibly final team.

I could eat my words but I sincerely do not think Rodgers is done playing football. And given the shallow free agent and rookie quarterback markets it could not be a better time for Rodgers to don a new jersey. Rodgers’ MVP-level seasons are behind him, but he is likely to be a starting quarterback in 2025 and that will always have value in superflex dynasty leagues. So if you can buy Rodgers now, make it happen!

Trades to Buy Rodgers:

1. Aaron Rodgers ←→ Brian Robinson

2. Aaron Rodgers + Malik Nabers + ‘25 4.07 pick ←→ J.J. McCarthy + ‘25 1.02 pick + ‘25 3.10 pick

3. Aaron Rodgers + ‘25 1.07 pick + ‘26 2nd round pick ←→ Jared Goff

Miles Sanders

2024 Stats (7.0 fantasy points per game)

Rushing: 55 attempts - 205 yards - 2 TD’s

Receiving: 24 receptions / 30 targets - 148 yards - 1 TD

We are yet another year removed from Sanders’ 2022 season that earned him a four-year deal with the Panthers. The current regime did not sign Sanders and it simply makes fiscal sense to gain cap savings by releasing him. Despite his falloff since the 2022 season, Sanders is still a capable rotational back. And with the stacked rookie running back class he would be a cheap signing for any team.

These are the kinds of moves in dynasty that will not give you heartburn if you miss. You can likely get Sanders as a throw in to any trade in dynasty, assuming he is rostered. Taking a low-cost flier on Sanders, and running backs like him, gives you the chance to make further roster moves as the season approaches. Remember, there are no rosters to set until September so chase value wherever you can find it!

Trades to Buy Sanders:

1. Miles Sanders ←→ ‘25 4.11 pick

2. Miles Sanders + ‘25 3.08 pick ←→ Isaac Guerendo

3. Miles Sanders + Isiah Pacheco ←→ Travis Etienne

Davante Adams

2024 Stats (17.2 fantasy points per game)

Receiving: 85 receptions / 141 targets - 1,063 yards - 8 TD’s

Another Jet, really? Well yes, much like their anticipated releases Rodgers and Adams are paired together in this “buy” article. I do however have much more optimism about the ceiling of Adams’ fantasy production for the next year or two.

Since 2016 Adams has not had a single season with fewer than 15 fantasy points per game. And while he’s not firmly in his prime, Adams is still incredibly productive finishing 2024 as the WR-9 in fantasy points per game after splitting time on the Raiders and Jets.

While at this point Adams’ roster situation is less clear than Rodgers’, the former is still a safe investment in dynasty for the next season or two with a stable fantasy production floor.

Trades to Buy Adams:

1. Davante Adams + ‘26 3rd round pick ←→ Keon Coleman ‘26 2nd round pick

2. Davante Adams + ‘25 1.06 pick ←→ Rome Odunze

3. Davante Adams ←→ ‘25 2.10 pick

Evan Engram

2024 Stats (9.9 fantasy points per game)

Receiving: 47 receptions / 64 targets - 365 yards - 1 TD

Engram found a home in Jacksonville in 2022 after up and down seasons on the Giants. Engram finished top-12 in fantasy points per game in each of his three years on the Jaguars. However, after an injury-riddled 2024 season and a new coach and front office entering the fold in 2025 there is much uncertainty in Engram’s future.

As noted in a prior article, I pegged Brenton Strange as the heir apparent if/when Engram is released. But there is still value if Engram enters the 2025 season with a clean bill of health. What is working most in Engram’s favor, is the tight end group being among the weakest position group in free agency. While there will always be the allure of the rookie tight ends, Engram is immediately vaulted to the top of the free agent tight ends upon his release.

Based on the trades below, Engram is simply too cheap to pass up on in dynasty no matter the format as easily a top-10 fantasy tight end when healthy.

Trades to Buy Engram:

1. Evan Engram ←→ ‘25 3.06 pick

2. Evan Engram + Dak Prescott + Jerry Jeudy + ‘25 2.02 pick ←→ Brock Purdy + Pat Freiermuth + Elijah Moore

3. Evan Engram + ‘25 3.11 pick ←→ Darnell Mooney

There will undoubtedly be cuts that we collectively did not see coming. But for those that we can foresee, it’s best to get ahead of it in dynasty. So get out there and buy!

So you made it this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!