Rookie drafts aren’t just about picking the right players—they’re about knowing what to do with them once they’re on your roster. Some are long-term building blocks, others are trade bait disguised as hype, and a few… well, a few are clogging up space you’ll regret by midseason. This Keep Trade Cut breakdown isn’t here to coddle rookie crushes—it’s to help you make sharp, strategic decisions that turn draft picks into dynasty leverage.

Quarterback | Keep Trade Cut

Cam Ward | KEEP

Cam Ward was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while he didn’t land in a fantasy-friendly offense, he did land a guaranteed runway. He’s set up to start for the next 2–3 years minimum, and in SuperFlex formats, that kind of job security is worth its weight in gold. This class didn’t offer many safe quarterback bets, but Ward gives you a locked-in value floor with just enough ceiling to make things interesting. Remember—Bryce Young is still worth a late-1st round rookie pick in many leagues despite struggling early in his career. That’s how sticky rookie QBs—with good draft capital—are in dynasty.

The best part? I’ve seen Ward go in the mid-1st round of some rookie drafts. That’s an absolute steal for the first-overall NFL pick and three years of value insulation. This isn’t a player I’m flipping or overthinking. I’m keeping Ward on every roster I can manage and letting the value build organically.

Tyler Shough | TRADE AWAY

If you’ve been holding Tyler Shough, congrats—you’re riding a wave of perfect narrative momentum. A surprise 2nd Round pick and a clear path to start with Derek Carr retiring, Shough has just enough physical tools to sell a breakout dream. There’s no denying the opportunity in front of him, and that alone has propped up his dynasty value. But let’s be honest—this hype is built on circumstance, not substance… so far.

The offense he’s stepping into is far from loaded, and we’ve seen this story before: A second-day rookie QB with a shaky supporting cast leads to early struggles that tank the buzz. It doesn’t take much for this entire situation to sour. Right now, you can flip Shough for a future 2nd, plus a player. The other option is to or use a pick to upgrade from Shough to a player with depressed value like Dak Prescott (see below). There’s a clear value window open now—but once the season kicks off, it could slam shut just as fast.

Dillon Gabriel | CUT

Yes, Dillon Gabriel was drafted ahead of Shedeur Sanders—by the same team, no less—but don’t let that fool you into thinking there’s any long-term value here. Gabriel doesn’t project as anything more than a backup, and not even the fun kind who can spike fantasy weeks like Jameis Winston or Gardner Minshew. He’s more clipboard-holder than emergency breakout, and I’m not chasing that in rookie drafts.

I’m not spending a pick on him or rushing to stash him on waivers. Let someone else burn a roster spot. Gabriel’s profile screams “camp body,” not a future fantasy contributor. Feel free to cut him loose and move on to players with fantasy upside.

Running Back | Keep Trade Cut

TreVeyon Henderson | KEEP

I can’t stop, won’t stop my TreVeyon Henderson love. He’s been the biggest surprise of this rookie draft cycle for me—not because of his talent, but because I’m fully comfortable pushing the draft button in the 1.04–1.05 range. He’s not Jahmyr Gibbs, but he’s going to be deployed in a very similar role. Henderson lands in an offense that’s being retooled around rookie QB Drake Maye, and he’s walking into high-value touches from the jump: passing-down work and the chance to be the guy on the field when it matters most.

Yes, Rhamondre Stevenson is still there—and that’s a good thing. It takes pressure off of Henderson early and lets him operate as the efficient, explosive weapon he is. This isn’t about 20+ carries per game; it’s about impact plays and fantasy-friendly usage. Henderson is an elite efficiency back in a system that will highlight his strengths. He’s tied to a legit QB with a role that could make him a fantasy RB1. I’m not moving him, I’m not selling high—I’m building around him.

Quinshon Judkins | TRADE AWAY

After crushing the Combine, Quinshon Judkins shot up rookie boards—even leapfrogging his college teammate TreVeyon Henderson in the NFL Draft. The Browns gave him strong draft capital, and the early opportunity looks great on paper. But the market is already pricing him like a future RB1. Cleveland quietly drafted another runningback in the 4th Round (Dylan Sampson), and while Judkins might lead the backfield in touches, that doesn’t mean those touches will be valuable.

This Browns offense could be one of the least efficient in the league, with a quarterback room that’s generously described as uninspiring. Judkins is likely looking at low-value touches between the 20s, minimal passing-game usage, and few scoring opportunities. Right now, managers are drafting him in the mid-1st range of rookie drafts. I’d flip him for a safer wide receiver in that range, like Tee Higgins, or move back a few picks and scoop a similar-tier fantasy RB like Kaleb Johnson or RJ Harvey with added capital. Don’t take on the risk and be left squinting at the box scores.

I would take a pick from next year and upgrade to Henderson:

Brashard Smith | TRADE FOR

Kansas City has a long history of turning overlooked backs into fantasy gold, and Brashard Smith might be the next name to add to the list. A former 3-star wide receiver recruit turned running back, Smith brings a unique hybrid skill set to an offense that thrives on creativity and pass-catching versatility out of the backfield. This is the same system that made Jerick McKinnon a late-season league-winner in 2022, and Smith offers a similar profile with fresher legs and far less competition for touches.

The best part? He’s basically free. You can acquire Smith for a 4th round rookie pick or stash him off waivers in many leagues. His name value is still low, but the opportunity is real, and in an offense like this, one injury or hot camp report is all it takes to send his stock flying. Don’t wait until everyone catches on. Trade for him now while the cost is dirt cheap and the upside is Chiefs-tier nuclear.

LeQuint Allen | CUT

I was genuinely intrigued by LeQuint Allen heading into the draft. He fit the archetype of the modern pass-catching back—explosive and capable of creating mismatches in space. That profile has translated well in recent years when opportunity meets talent. But unfortunately, Allen didn’t get the draft capital needed to secure that path, and his landing spot is now buried behind a cluttered depth chart.

There’s been some positive coachspeak—sure, Liam Coen says he sees something in him—but right now, Allen looks more like a gadget player than a future fantasy contributor. He’s not following the Tyrone Tracy path; he’s fading into the “fun preseason story” category. I’m not using a rookie pick on him, and I’m not stashing him “just in case.”

Wide Receiver | Keep Trade Cut

Kyle Williams | KEEP

There was real buzz building around Kyle Williams before the draft, and once the capital and landing spot were locked in, it was clear this wasn’t just smoke. Some managers were lucky enough to scoop him early before the hype machine caught up, but now that rookie drafts are fully underway, he’s commanding legit mid-2nd round value. Williams steps into a wide-open receiver room and could easily emerge as Drake Maye’s go-to weapon in year one.

This is the type of ascending rookie talent I’m not moving. The hype isn’t inflated—it’s foundational. Williams has a real shot to be a weekly contributor as a rookie and a long-term WR2 with upside. I’d rather build around him than flip for a pick or a safer vet. Keep Kyle Williams locked in. Because once he flashes, his price only goes up.

Let’s say my chips are already down on the right side of this deal:

Matthew Golden | TRADE AWAY

Green Bay finally took a wide receiver in the 1st Round—and for a minute, it felt like liftoff for Matthew Golden. But once the dust settled, questions started stacking up. Jayden Reed is already locked in, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson haven’t gone anywhere, and the tight ends (Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft) still have significant roles. Oh, and Josh Jacobs says, “hello,” too. Suddenly, Golden doesn’t look like a guaranteed star—he looks like another piece in a deep rotation. Spending a late-1st or early-2nd on Golden in rookie drafts? That’s not the bet I want to make.

There’s still enough shine on his name and landing spot to get out clean. If I hear a glowing camp report, I’m immediately floating him in trade offers. I’d look to flip him for a future 1st or use him as a sweetener in a deal for a win-now asset like Jonathan Taylor or D.K. Metcalf. His perceived value is outpacing his projected role, so now’s the time to capitalize. Allow the biggest Cheesehead in your league to chase the “Packers WR1” narrative.

I would flip Matthew Golden in either of these trades:

Emeka Egbuka | TRADE FOR

There’s some serious name fatigue surrounding Emeka Egbuka. He’s been on dynasty radars since he was a freshman sharing a locker room with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, and by now, some managers are over it. But here’s the thing—he got excellent draft capital and landed in a situation that’s far more intriguing than it’s getting credit for. Tampa Bay is quietly building around Baker Mayfield, and Egbuka slots in perfectly as a polished route technician who can feast while defenses key in on Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving.

The hesitation around Egbuka’s opportunity is the trade-for window. He’s often going right around the same range as Matthew Golden in rookie drafts, and that’s an easy decision for me—I’ll take Egbuka every time. He’s not a developmental dart throw—he’s ready now, and he’s stepping into an offense that’s signaling long-term trust. This is the kind of sneaky buy-low move that pays off. Go get him.

Here are 2 deals from the DynastyNerdsGM that I would approve:

Tai Felton | CUT

This was one of the bigger surprises of the draft—yes, even more than Isaac TesLaa (okay, that was the actual biggest). Minnesota grabbed Tai Felton in the 3rd round, and I guess the idea is he’ll replace Jalen Nailor? The Vikings offense should be fun, explosive, and full of fantasy production—but I don’t see Felton being a meaningful part of that equation. He’s a straight-line burner dropped into an already crowded WR room with much more established names.

The red flag for me: when a player gets Day 2 NFL draft capital and I still can’t pull the trigger in the 4th round of a rookie draft. That’s Felton. There’s buzz, there’s speed, but there’s no realistic fantasy path without injuries and development. I get it—passing on Day 2 capital feels risky. But with this many runningbacks I’d rather bet on, I’m okay being wrong about Felton.

Tight End | Keep Trade Cut

Colston Loveland | KEEP

Truth be told, I’m a Bears fan—so yes, this comes with a little homer seasoning. But the excitement around Colston Loveland isn’t just fan fiction. Dynasty managers spend years chasing tight end stability, and Loveland offers a rare shot at locking it in early. The draft capital was real, the situation is promising, and Ben Johnson personally pounded the table for him. That matters.

Despite all the weapons in Chicago, Loveland feels like a long-term chess piece in this evolving offense. He’s stepping into a retooled scheme with Caleb Williams at the helm, and the runway is clear for his role to grow as chemistry and trust build. If he hits, you’re looking at the kind of tight end who gives opposing managers instant anxiety when they see him in a lineup. Hold Loveland and let him simmer into something special.

Oronde Gadsden | TRADE FOR

Oronde Gadsden comes with NFL bloodlines, a hybrid skill set, and a clear path to relevance. After being drafted in the 5th round by the Chargers—they traded up to get him—he enters a wide-open tight end room searching for a weapon. He’s more big-bodied wide receiver than traditional tight end, and that’s a feature, not a bug. Jim Harbaugh doesn’t waste picks, and when he targets a player like this, it signals a real role in mind.

You won’t see fireworks early—he’ll be eased in—but Gadsden’s long-term ceiling is quietly massive. His athleticism and versatility could make him a matchup nightmare in the years ahead, and you can still acquire him for cheap. An early-4th round rookie pick for his potential is an easy pick to make. This is the kind of speculative swing that pays off when others aren’t watching. Go get him now—before he becomes the guy everyone’s trying to overpay for next summer.

Harold Fannin Jr. | CUT

Fannin Jr. was a pre-draft darling—big production and fun athletic profile. He even got solid draft capital in Round 3, but unfortunately, it came from the Browns. He lands in Cleveland, where the QB situation is a rotating cast of mid-tier backups, and the target competition includes David Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, and Cedric Tillman. That’s not exactly a fantasy goldmine for a rookie tight end trying to carve out a role.

This feels less like the next big thing and more like the next Chig Okonkwo—flash potential, frustrating usage, and a ceiling that rarely breaks your starting lineup. If you’ve got Fannin, now’s the time to get out. Pass at his ADP, or move him to a believer who’s still clinging to the pre-draft hype. His value will only decline as the reality of the situation sets in.

Build Your Dynasty, Your Way!

This Keep Trade Cut guide gives you my take, but the real power comes from making those calls your way. The DynastyNerds GM Tool gives you everything you need to customize player values, map out trades, and build a strategy that fits your league and style. Use the GM and the Dynasty Nerds app to back your instincts and take full control of your dynasty future.

Read Our Latest Rookie Mock Draft!

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