When it comes to dynasty fantasy football, knowing who not to invest in is just as important as finding the next breakout star. That’s especially true in Superflex formats, where value can shift quickly based on age, opportunity, and long-term outlook. In this article, our collection of Featured Pros experts tackles a critical question for dynasty fantasy football managers: Which running backs and wide receivers ranked inside the top 50 of our Dynasty Consensus Superflex Rankings are they avoiding or looking to trade away, and why?
Whether you’re building for the future or trying to win now, identifying potential dynasty busts can help you make smarter trades, avoid long-term roster cloggers, and capitalize on peak market value. Read on for expert insights into which big-name players may not live up to their current dynasty fantasy football price tag.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings
Dynasty Fantasy Football Busts to Avoid
James Cook (RB – BUF)
“James Cook (RB10 in the rankings and 48th overall) finished last season as the RB8, averaging 15.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, the former Georgia star won’t be on any of my dynasty rosters in 2025. He had four rushing touchdowns and five receiving scores over his first two years in the NFL. By comparison, Cook had 16 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores last season, leading the league in rushing touchdowns. More importantly, he saw 30 fewer rushing attempts than the season before and had 43.1% of his fantasy production come from reaching the end zone. Cook’s a clear-cut touchdown regression candidate. Furthermore, the star running back and the Bills are in the middle of messy contract talks, which could lead to a holdout. I would rather have TreVeyon Henderson (RB14 in the rankings) and Kenneth Walker III (RB15) over Cook.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“James Cook, ranked as RB10 in FantasyPros’ 2025 Dynasty Superflex Rankings, is a player to avoid in superflex dynasty leagues due to his inconsistent role in Buffalo’s offense. Despite his athleticism, Cook’s limited goal-line work, which is often ceded to Josh Allen or Ray Davis, caps his touchdown upside, a critical factor in his fantasy production. His receiving role, while solid, hasn’t translated to elite PPR numbers, and the Bills’ offense may shift with personnel changes in 2025. At 25, he has youth, but his lack of a dominant workload and competition in a quarterback-driven offense make him a risky long-term hold. In superflex formats, where quarterback and youth are premium assets, trading Cook for a more secure or versatile option could be prudent.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI)
“Of the 50 overall Dynasty Consensus Superflex Rankings players, just 10 are RBs, and of those 10 RBs, just 1 is older than 26: Saquon Barkley (28). While Barkley is liable to defy the odds and maintain elite production like Derrick Henry, the reality is that most RBs decline after 28. The key to Dynasty success lies in anticipating trends and maximizing asset value, and Barkley’s current market value after his monster season presents a chance to acquire a haul of long-term assets that will outlast his remaining prime. Trading him isn’t just about immediate gain; it’s about positioning your roster for sustained contention by acquiring younger talent, draft capital, and/or undervalued assets that will appreciate over time. Exploit the market’s myopia to build a more resilient and valuable team for years to come.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)
“The consensus dynasty RB4 is Saquon Barkley after arguably the greatest season we have ever seen from the position. He went over 2,000 rushing yards as the only skill player to average more than 20 points per game in half-PPR. The Eagles’ rusher led the NFL in touches with nearly 500…running effectively behind the league’s best OL. But as was the case with Christian McCaffrey in 2023 and many RBs before him, leading the NFL in touches by such a vast margin is essentially the kiss of death for RBs the following year. Only two RBs finished as RB1s the following year after leading the NFL in touches since 2013. Ezekiel Elliott is the only one over that period to finish inside the top 5. There’s no better time now than to sell high on Barkley, considering his age (28) and injury history.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
“The Golden Rule in dynasty: Managers would rather be a year early than a year late. Why is this? Capitalizing on value while it exists. Jonathan Taylor, 26, is a great example of a player who still has tons of value after his first double-digit touchdown season since 2021, but has massive risk. Taylor has not played a full season since 2021, with the recurring theme of those injuries being related to his ankles. These injuries do not go away as one gets older. If a package comes in relating to anything close to a first-round pick for Taylor managers, it is wise to consider it. For those in start-ups, it is best to simply stay away and avoid the potential headache if Taylor cannot stay healthy in 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
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