Top 5 Risky Dynasty Fantasy Football Buys - Players Worth Targeting and Gambling On in Drafts (2025)

Dave Ventresca's top five risky dynasty fantasy football buys to draft in 2025. Dynasty league managers should target these risky players: Justin Fields, Rashee Rice, Breece Hall, Rome Odunze, and J.J. McCarthy.

For many managers, dynasty football is seen as the Dom Pérignon of all fantasy football leagues. There is a lot of strategy, nuance, and skill that goes into being a successful dynasty football player.

As with all other aspects of life, timing is everything in dynasty football. This is especially true when it comes to acquiring high-risk players. These are some of the toughest decisions a dynasty manager can face. Acquiring a high-risk asset could launch your team into an extended championship window or plunge it into a rebuild. So, who are some high-risk players potentially worth acquiring in 2025 dynasty football leagues? Let's take a few minutes and find out.

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Justin Fields - QB, New York Jets

Fields posted a 4-2 record in six games as the Steelers' starter last year before being benched in favor of Russell Wilson. Despite the benching, Fields still managed to provide results for fantasy managers, thanks in large part to his legs. He scored five rushing touchdowns in his six starts and finished as a QB1 three times.

Justin Fields scores his first rushing TD with the @Steelers!

📺: #LACvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/mHjDNMx55Y

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

Fields eventually opted not to re-sign with Pittsburgh this offseason and instead signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets.

BREAKING: Jets signing QB Justin Fields to two-year, $40M deal with $30M guaranteed. (via @rapsheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/YJVKoikwuM

— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2025

Now that Fields has landed a starting job, he is an immediate QB1 option for fantasy owners. However, it's worth noting that the 2026 quarterback class is supposedly very strong. If the Jets wind up with a top-10 pick next year, they could very well take a quarterback. Fields may be just a placeholder.

While all that might be true, he is set to begin the 2025 season as the Jets' undisputed QB1. If Fields performs well enough and New York wins just enough games, there is a chance the team bypasses a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft and Fields remains QB1.

There's certainly a lot of risk here, but Fields is a good target for managers in trades or startup drafts. He offers managers a safe floor and is a great fantasy option whenever he’s on the field.

Rome Odunze - WR, Chicago Bears

Many analysts are ready to write Odunze off as a bust due to poor advanced metrics and per-route data as a rookie last year. However, Chicago’s offense was so bad in 2024 that it’s not fair to judge anyone based on what we saw.

Odunze’s rookie year is a case where we must take all that data and flush it down the toilet, as it’s not a fair representation of his play. This is still a highly talented receiver who knows how to get open against NFL defenders.

Caleb Williams' AND Rome Odunze's first career TD!

📺: #CHIvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/u0ICGLXCz7

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

While Odunze got a massive upgrade in the form of new Bears' head coach Ben Johnson, his target competition also increased. The team selected tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While the Loveland selection doesn't necessarily hurt Odunze, the team also selected wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second round of the NFL Draft.

The selection of Burden has thrown a monkey wrench into the team's receiver room. Burden profiles as a slot-heavy player who is excellent with the ball in his hands. Johnson utilized Amon-Ra St. Brown in such a role during his time with the Detroit Lions. This has led many to speculate that Johnson is lower on Odunze and may wish to utilize Burden in a similar way to how he used St. Brown.

That is certainly within the range of outcomes, but it's also worth pointing out that Burden fell to the second round of the NFL Draft for a reason. His college tape was littered with poor effort plays where he routinely quit on routes when he was not the play's primary target. Johnson will look to correct this issue, but it's no guarantee.

Odunze has top-10 draft capital to his name, and Johnson has had good things to say about him so far this offseason.

Look. It is impossible to predict how this situation will play out. But there are a lot of people panicking about Odunze since the NFL Draft. It's understandable, given that he's coming off a mediocre rookie year, but it all feels a bit reactionary. Odunze is a good player, and last season was just an awful situation for the entire Bears' offense.

If anyone in your league is panicking on Odunze, now is the time to act. There's definitely a lot of risk in acquiring him since we won't know Johnson's plans for these receivers until Week 1, but for all we know, Odunze could emerge as their top option. He's cheaper to acquire via trade now than he was a few months ago.

So if you're feeling a little frisky, go get Odunze on your team.

Breece Hall - RB, New York Jets

Hall is coming off a disappointing 2024 season. He failed to crack 900 rushing yards, averaged a career low 4.19 yards per carry, and finished the season as the PPR RB16. Among 46 qualifying backs, Hall also finished 28th in Next Gen Stats rush yards over expected and rush yards over expected per attempt. Suffice it to say, 2024 was not Hall’s best year.

However, we should keep in mind that he’s still a talented back with big-play ability.

BREECE HALL 62 YARDS IN A FLASH ⚡

(via @nyjets)pic.twitter.com/H3tp0X0YcD

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 23, 2022

Aaron Glenn will take over as the Jets' new head coach in 2025. However, he has been noncommittal about making Hall his featured back. This has led to speculation that Hall could be part of a running back committee with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. While that is certainly a possibility, it’s also possible the new staff eventually recognizes Hall is their best back and utilizes him as such.

This situation bears a resemblance to the one surrounding Josh Jacobs entering the 2022 season. Josh McDaniels took over as the Raiders' head coach that year, and there was immediate speculation he would not use Jacobs as a bellcow due to his previous history with running backs.

Things reached a crescendo when Jacobs started the opening series during the team’s first preseason game (The 2022 Hall of Fame Game), and fantasy managers and pundits alike took it as a sign that McDaniels didn’t see Jacobs as a feature back.

Fast forward to the regular season, and Jacobs finished with a career high 1,653 rushing yards on 340 carries and won the rushing title that year.

None of this means Hall will follow the same trajectory, but it is a cautionary tale for managers who are quick to write him off. There is certainly risk in acquiring Hall right now, but it might also be an opportunity to buy low.

If he is still New York’s undisputed RB1, Hall could be in line for a big season, as playing alongside a rushing quarterback like Fields should lead to an efficiency spike in Hall’s rushing numbers. This could be a good chance to acquire a potential RB1 for a very affordable cost.

Rashee Rice - WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Rice was a popular breakout pick last season. It looked like things were on the right track, but then disaster struck. Rice suffered a serious knee injury in a Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was later revealed he tore his LCL and was ruled out for the season.

Chiefs place WR Rashee Rice on injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/TuZ9sSaklw

— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2024

He only played in three games last year, but Rice’s advanced metrics will leave you salivating. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Rice posted an elite 35 percent targets per route run (TPRR) as well as a remarkable 3.47 yards per route run (YPRR). These are very high marks, and scores like these indicate a high likelihood for fantasy football success.

A monster season could be coming for Rice.

Mahomes ➡️ Rice, what a connection!

📺: #CINvsKC on CBS/Paramount
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/5jkq5qhePc

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Rice is expected to make a full recovery from his injury, but is seen as a risky buy as he awaits word from the NFL on a possible suspension due to an off-field incident last spring. Should he be hit with a significant suspension, that could impact his dynasty value since the team also has receivers Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, and Jalen Royals in the mix.

However, we have not received any updates in the legal case against Rice. Even if he is eventually suspended, there's no guarantee it will be for a significant number of games. As things stand now, Rice is healthy entering the 2025 season and is once again in line to emerge as Patrick Mahomes' top receiver.

If Rice plays the full season, a 100+ reception campaign is a real possibility, and he will be a PPR cheat code. There are many reasons to be excited about Rice’s 2025 season and beyond.

J.J. McCarthy - QB, Minnesota Vikings

McCarthy missed his entire rookie year in 2024 after tearing his meniscus in training camp.

BREAKING: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is out for the 2024 season after undergoing a full meniscus repair this morning. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/GgpgfiNYRX

— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2024

Following McCarthy’s injury, Sam Darnold became Minnesota’s de facto QB1 and had an incredible 2024. He threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 passing touchdowns but came crashing down to earth in the season’s final two games.

Minnesota subsequently decided not to re-sign Darnold, allowing him to walk into free agency. The Vikings have confirmed they are committed to McCarthy for the 2025 season.

J.J. McCarthy to Trishton Jackson for the 45 yard TD!

And @JJettas2 LOVES it!

📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QmEKsnabMz

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

McCarthy is a bit of a wildcard since he missed his entire rookie season. However, he is a quarterback with top-10 draft capital, backed by a strong offensive coach and surrounded by an abundance of talent. It's hard to find a better situation for a first-time starting quarterback.

Yes, we don't know McCarthy's true floor, and he could hurt your team if he's truly awful. But he might also have a higher ceiling than some people think. Head coach Kevin O'Connell worked wonders for Darnold's career last year. Considering McCarthy is O'Connell's handpicked young quarterback, it shouldn't be that surprising if he has similar production.

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