NFL Rookie Busts To Buy in Fantasy Football Dynasty Leagues

January 26, 2025

Which 2024 rookie busts should fantasy football managers go after in dynasty leagues in 2025? Craig Rondinone looks at three 2024 rookies who you should be buying in the 2025 offseason in dynasty.

The 2024 NFL regular season is over, and so are all the fantasy football seasons tied to it, but that does not mean the fun stops if you are in a dynasty league.

The way to win dynasty fantasy leagues is to build around a core of players you can hold onto for several seasons. Finding young players at cheap prices/values and rostering them as they improve and turn into superstars is how your dynasty team turns into an actual dynasty.

A great way to retool your roster is to go after youngsters with tons of upside that did not have good rookie campaigns. While fantasy footballers enjoyed amazing rookie seasons out of Washington QB Jayden Daniels and Las Vegas TE Brock Bowers, most rookies were fantasy busts. So, which busts should you try and buy heading into next season? Here is a look:

Three 2024 Rookie Busts To Buy in Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (WR)

While it might be harsh to label Coleman as a bust, the kid was not the second coming of Stefon Diggs in 2024. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen spread the ball around between all of his pass catchers, so Coleman was only able to muster 29 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns in the 13 games he played in.

Coleman’s role was as a field stretcher since the Bills did not have any other deep threats. His 19.2 yards per catch were impressive and ranked him third in the NFL among players who had at least 25 receptions. The good news is he has the skills to be more than just a complimentary player, though.

The combo of Keon Coleman and Josh Allen is going to be fun to watch for years to come. pic.twitter.com/LhUckiO5u9

— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) January 12, 2025

Coleman will become infinitely better in the coming years. The former second-rounder has a big body (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and the legs of a greyhound. Coleman will also have Allen as his quarterback for many years to come and could be Buffalo’s WR1 as quickly as next season because of the lack of depth at the position on the team’s roster.

Coleman has everything working in his favor to be a perennial 1,000-yard receiver, so make a move on him now while the cost is not prohibitive.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (RB)

Benson was the second running back off the board at the 2024 draft. While most assumed Arizona’s plan was for Benson to be top tailback James Conner’s heir apparent, many fantasy players and pundits thought Benson would waste no time having a breakout season.

Trey Benson 💨💨💨🔥🔥🔥

His Combine 40 Time is nearly identical to:

Ken Walker (4.38)
Breece Hall (4.39)
Jonathan Taylor (4.39)

All went on to be 2nd Round NFL Picks.

Terrific size speed combination.

Benson is going to be a Day Two selection. 🔐🔐pic.twitter.com/pfWHXj4qd9

— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) March 2, 2024

Conner threw a 225-pound wrench into those plans, though. The veteran remained injury-free and never let Benson near his starting spot, so the quick-footed rookie was held to 63 carries for 291 yards and one lone touchdown. Benson’s fantasy value in most leagues was nil.

Conner is signed through 2025, but after logging a career-high 236 rushes in 2024 and touching the ball almost 1000 times over the past four years, you would think the longtime workhorse would need more breathers this season and that the Benson Era is right around the corner. It is never a bad idea to get a good young running back and stash him on your dynasty roster, and this is another example.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers (TE)

Being a rookie tight end in the NFL is not easy. It is not made easier when you are part of a Bryce Young-led offense. Sanders found that out during his inaugural NFL season. While his 33-342-1 stat line this year was respectable given the circumstances, Sanders did not do anybody any fantasy favors with those numbers.

Sanders should take a step forward in his second season, however. He showed flashes of brilliance during a six-game stretch in the middle of this past season, where he had 49 receiving yards or more in four of the contests. He has receiver-like skills despite having the bulky body of a tight end.

Young matured as a quarterback by year’s end and seems to still have a promising future, and Carolina is not exactly loaded with premium pass catchers. I would not be surprised to see Sanders get into the 600-yard range with four touchdowns in 2025 and then get better and better in the seasons that follow.

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