We are on the cusp of the fantasy playoffs and Dynasty managers have long ago decided if they have a contending roster. With some eyes to the future, we looked ahead at pending 2025 free agents and the values their departures could create. 

Who is a player you want to stash based on the contract status of the starter in front of him? 

RB Audric Estime, Denver

Matthew Montgomery: Javonte Williams has been a disappointment in Denver, and they will move on from him and invest the time and effort into developing Estime into the every-down back, with Jaleel McLaughlin being a change of pace. Sean Payton typically uses two running backs, and the two mentioned will have lower salaries and fewer injury concerns to boot. We are beginning to see Estime become a more significant part of this offense, and that is no coincidence as the games become more critical and the margin for error decreases.

WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati

Ryan Weisse: While he's been hit or miss this season, I'll buy Iosivas based on Tee Higgins likely leaving Cincinnati in 2025. In four games without Higgins, Iosivas has scored three touchdowns, including a two-touchdown game back in Week 2. The volume and efficiency could be better, but he's also just in his second season and first year as a starter. In 2025, he'll be in his third year, a notorious breakout year for receivers, and will likely enter the season as the starter. He's already shown the capability for big games, just not with any consistency; another year of experience should help. You can land for him next to nothing right now, and that could pay off big time next season.

WR John Metchie III, Houston

Zareh Kantzabedian: Metchie's professional career has only known turbulence until recently. Metchie was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and was an early selection in Dynasty league rookie drafts. Unfortunately, he succumbed to a form of leukemia before his rookie season began, halting his development and forcing him to catch up quickly once healthy.

Fast-forward to mid-season 2024, and Metchie has finally arrived. He recently had his NFL break-out game against the Detroit Lions, catching six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs is 30 years old and coming off of an ACL injury, and Robert Woods is a free agent after the 2024 season. Xavier Hutchinson has shown little outside of being a fringe contributor. Metchie may stick as the Texans' WR3 going into the 2025 regular season.

RB Trey Benson, Arizona

Corey Spala: I have been trying to acquire Benson in leagues. He was drafted with the 66th overall selection, and there was an assumption he would leapfrog James Conner as Arizona's RB1. Conner is a veteran the team and coaching staff admire; he retained his role. This opened up an opportunity to acquire Benson. Recently, he has seen his workload increase by 21 opportunities over the last two weeks, while Conner's workload has not decreased. It seems Arizona had a plan regarding Benson and his development.  

Conner is due to a new contract and may be departing Arizona. I would not be surprised if he re-signed, as he is a veteran and provides leadership for the team.  He has durability issues but has played every game this season. Benson and Conner can be a dynamic duo, assuming Conner re-signs for 2025. Benson would alleviate Conner's workload and allow him to provide meaningful services for the offense and locker room. This would not take away from Benson delivering meaningful points for our dynasty teams.

Andy Hicks: If this question concerns who from the list I would like to stash, Nick Chubb would be the answer. If it concerns which player benefits from a player on the list leaving, Benson would be the answer.

Let us talk about Nick Chubb first. As long as he looks functional down the stretch on a Browns team looking to implode, Chubb will be an asset wherever he goes next. Fans have not seen the best this guy can offer, and it is too late now. But his quality is transcendent, and he may have another two good seasons in the right place. Or none. Depends on his perceived value by other NFL franchises. I would take that risk. In the right offense, he is a fantasy starter. At a low price right now. I am biased in my assessment of him, but I am cognisant of him potentially having no value. 

Regarding Benson. It's been a long season. He has struggled to gain footing, and James Conner has finally had a healthy season. Conner will be 30 next season; if he holds any value, it will be in Arizona. His veteran leadership, locker room presence, and on-field production may see him return, negating Benson's value. It will be telling if the team lets Conner go. It is the job of Benson during the remainder of the season to make that an easier choice for the Cardinals.

Hutchinson Brown: Looking at the free agent class at running back, it's reasonable to expect the opposite of what occurred last offseason. We should not expect teams to hand out contracts to running backs left and right like we saw last year. The 2024 NFL Draft was noticeably weak at running back; the top prospect who went off the board was coming off an ACL tear. In the 2025 class, we have multiple backs that could very well be selected in the first round, and there are plenty of great day-two picks after that. Teams will not have as much urgency to sign a free-agent running back, knowing they could get a great one in the draft who's younger and will not cost as much.

It will be difficult for these running backs to get a starting job, but I would put James Connor as a player who could get there. He is a very serviceable veteran running back with an intelligent but physical running style and an excellent asset in short-yardage situations. He leads all running backs in missed tackles forced this season and has kept the Cardinals' offense moving. With Trey Benson likely to be the future for Arizona, if he gets more volume in as the season goes along, Conner's dynasty value will likely plummet and potentially too far due to the hype Benson will receive. You'd likely be able to get Connor for next to nothing, and it may be worth it. The 29-year-old will likely have to move on. He has been good enough this season to the point where he could get a solid one or two-year deal with a team that needs his services at running back.