Dynasty Fantasy Football Keep Or Cut: Hold Darius Slayton, Cut Ryan Flournoy
Jake Trowbridge and Sam Wallace break down who they are willing to keep versus who they are willing to cut in their latest dynasty fantasy football update.
It’s time to do some roster trimming over at the Fantasy Life dynasty fantasy football staff league. Sam and Jake have combed through each other’s rosters to suggest a few cut candidates, but it's up to them to decide whether to take the advice and keep or cut the players.
Note: This is a 12-team Superflex league with DEEP benches and a few taxi squad spots. So please don’t judge them for discussing these more … ahem … fringe players.
Players To Keep Or Cut In Dynasty Fantasy Football
DeMario Douglas | WR | NE
Jake’s Case for Cutting: In a year when New England ranked sixth in passing yards per game and the receiving corps was led by a declining Stefon Diggs, it’s troubling that this dime-sized receiver was held under 450 yards (though based on his height, that’s a rate of 6.6 receiving yards per inch, which, admittedly, sounds impressive). This came on the heels of back-to-back seasons as the No. 1 or No. 2 target earner, in which Douglas still somehow failed to crack a top-40 fantasy finish.
The truth is, I want good things for you, Sam. Not so good that you win our league's championship … but still. And I know you can do better than a receiver whose production has been as meager as his stature. Even with a low fantasy ceiling, he’ll need a ladder to reach it.
Sam’s Case for Holding: I have to admit, Jake led off with a strong argument. Was it mentioned that, altogether, these rosters have 30 spots to fill (between starters, bench and taxi slots)? I know, I know, size jokes aside, what's keeping me riding the DeMario Douglas train is the complete lack of talent in front of him. A pair of 32-year-olds (including one who doesn't believe in shoes) in Diggs and Mack Hollins don't particularly scare me. In fact, Douglas had as many 20-plus-point games as Kayshon Boutte and Hollins combined. Doesn't anyone believe in fourth-year breakouts anymore?
Darius Slayton | WR | NYG
Jake’s Case for Cutting: Does part of me want you to hold Slayton simply because he’s marrying world champion heptathlete Anna Hall this Spring? Yes. Did I know what a heptathlete was before I saw their engagement video? Definitely not.
Anyways, with Malik Nabers sidelined and thus unable to steal targets, I hoped to see more out of the 28-year-old who’d just signed a massive contract. Instead, it was a bit more of the same:
- A high yards per reception mark (23rd among all pass catchers).
- A few solid games to get stressed managers through bye weeks.
- And a bummer result to look back on at the end of the year.
With Nabers returning and a QB who’d rather run headfirst into a brick wall than throw a pass inside the 10-yard line, I’m not sure even a bloated contract can save Slayton’s fantasy value.
Sam’s Case for Holding: I'm glad Jake finished talking about his contract because there's almost zero reason the Giants let him walk this offseason. Yes, he's in his late-twenties and has remained a prototypical deep threat for much of his career, but he carries a dead-cap hit of nearly $15.8 million if the Giants let him go.
Next offseason? Different story.
For now, he's the ideal field-stretching option for Jaxson Dart. As for Nabers, we'll see what his offseason recovery looks like, and there isn't much wideout depth behind Nabers, Slayton and Wan'Dale Robinson. Speaking of Robinson, there are rumors he'll follow Brian Daboll to Tennessee. For now, Slayton carries more than enough intrigue to remain a hold.
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Rachaad White | RB | TB
Sam’s Case for Cutting: The Tampa Bay backfield belongs to Bucky Irving; there's no debating that. However, in a season that gave fourth-year option Rachaad White all the opportunity in the world to solidify himself as a viable option … he lost meaningful touches to Sean Tucker.
I remember when White was going to be the next big thing, but it just hasn't happened. He's all but a lock to be wearing a new jersey next season, but it's not a guarantee that he'll even be in a position to fight for starting reps. He's a free agent and clearly the third option between Irving and a younger, cheaper Tucker.
Jake’s Case for Holding: Our boss was among the first to predict Tucker’s ascension to the Bucs’ RB2 spot, so I was prepared for White’s diminished role. But I’m pretty sure Tampa Bay has already moved on from him in spirit, and they’re just waiting to officially cross those t’s. Which is great news for White’s fantasy value!
Rather than being handcuffed to a handcuff, White could thrive on any number of teams that would more frequently utilize his pass-catching talent. Picture this man in a Commanders uniform. He’d be a natural successor to Austin Ekeler and could easily reclaim his status as a fringe fantasy RB2 in PPR formats. I at least want to hold on until we find out what logo will be on his helmet next year.
Ryan Flournoy | WR | DAL
Sam’s Case for Cutting: Normally, I love chasing small sample sizes of maximum efficiency, but I just can't do it with Ryan Flournoy. Unless you either had him on your roster or randomly faced him when he went off that one time, you probably don't even know who this guy is, which automatically makes him the ideal drop candidate.
What even is a Flournoy, anyway?
Flournoy is a distant third to both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens at the wideout position, and he was also significantly out-targeted by Jake Ferguson. I love Dak Prescott for fantasy as much as anyone, but even he's not supporting that many options.
Jake’s Case for Holding: Fluornoy is actually a portmanteau. It means “he who flourishes when given the opportunity and annoys Sam because he secretly wants him on his roster but won’t admit it.” I think it’s Latin.
This guy had more 100-yard games in 2025 than Davante Adams and scored more touchdowns than Lamb, yet you besmirch his name, Sam?? In all seriousness, I’m not fully convinced that Pickens is a Cowboy for the long haul, and Flournoy has already acclimated himself to the team better than his depth piece predecessors (yes, I’m looking at you, Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks). I believe in his talent and just have to hope he gets more opportunities to shine in the near future.
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