Dynasty Trending Observations: Run, Run, Run – James Cook, Kyler Murray, Jaylen Warren
We’re so close! The new dynasty season may technically start when the clock hits zero in the Super Bowl but the good stuff, the real good stuff, happens at the NFL Draft. We’re just two weeks away and there are plenty of developments on social media to keep an eye on when it comes to your dynasty teams.
Cooked
Bills running back James Cook has listed his Orchard Park house for sale, coming just days after GM Brandon Beane indicated they weren’t close on a contract extension and said he didn’t foresee “doing any deals anytime soon.” https://t.co/4hOQJLm8P5
— Nick Veronica (@NickVeronica) April 2, 2025
Bills running back James Cook (and his dynasty managers) are in a weird spot. The now-fourth-year pro has been one of the most productive running backs the last two seasons while playing for one of the more successful teams in the league. If he were playing almost any other position, Cook would be in line for an extension now that his rookie deal will expire soon. But he’s a running back and extending running backs is not exactly en vogue. Case in point are examples like Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs who did not re-sign with the team that drafted them and instead signed on somewhere else.
For Cook, it probably doesn’t matter who shows him the money as long as he gets it. He’s certainly earned a raise after 1,000-yard seasons in each of the last two seasons and his resume was also boosted when he tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns last season with 16. The 2022 second-round pick heads into the final year of his rookie deal hoping to cash in.
Dynasty Impact: For Cook, if he does move on, he’ll hope to emulate the Barkleys and Jacobs of the world and not only sign a (relatively) big deal but also make a Pro Bowl in his first season with a new team. Logically, a team spending money on the position will want to utilize their new player and, in Cook’s case, his nearly five-yard-per-carry average. He also has something that Barkley and Jacobs had which was some experience in the passing game, totaling over 700 receiving yards over the last two seasons.
But even if Cook stays, he’ll be in the same place that he’s turned in RB1 fantasy seasons in each of the last two seasons. It’s possible the Bills add pieces to the passing game to surround Josh Allen but, even so, Cook would be the lead rusher for the foreseeable future.
Plus, when you look at the running backs ranked right behind Cook in our DLF Rankings, there’s no one to be too worried about, especially when you consider their age.
Now, this rookie class is expected to have several running backs enter the rankings which would make Cook an even better value. If you’re a current Cook manager, hold on to him. And if you’re not, you might be able to get him at a lower cost than before.
Run, Kyler, Run
“I do feel like I have to run MORE next year…I’m open to running more next year…it’s such a weapon.”
Could Kyler Murray have a CAREER HIGH in rushing yards in 2025? pic.twitter.com/fCxJM39MJ3
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) April 9, 2025
It may not seem like it but Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been one of the better fantasy quarterbacks over his seven-year career. He’s finished in the top 10 of fantasy scoring for quarterbacks in four of his six professional seasons. The other two seasons were both shortened because of an ACL injury suffered in 2022.
Yet for all his success in fantasy leagues, he hasn’t exactly been a success in the real league. The Cardinals have made just one playoff appearance with Murray at quarterback and that was more than three seasons ago and two Head Coaches ago.
So when Murray himself expressed an interest, nay a desire, to run more, it could be a positive sign for both Murray’s NFL and dynasty teams. To be fair, Murray was already a good runner. In his best season, he totaled 819 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. And while he hasn’t come close to duplicating those numbers in any season since then, he still totaled 572 rushing yards in 2024, his first full season back from the torn ACL.
Dynasty Impact: Should Murray run more this season, it would boost his already high dynasty ADP and could mirror his peak value.
The Cardinals offensive line finished towards the top of various offensive line rankings and they’ve added depth in free agency. And while very mock drafts have the Cardinals drafting an offensive lineman in the first round of this year’s draft, they could add more pieces in later rounds.
Using our DLF Trade Analyzer, Murray would be approximately worth the top pick in Superflex Leagues’ Rookie Drafts. There’s certainly no quarterback in this class worth that and while Ashton Jeanty might be the next Saquon Barkley, Murray would fill an important hole on your Superflex roster.
Running Back Steal(er)
The Steelers have used 8 of their 30 pre-draft visits on running backs.
Hampton, Harvey, Gordon, Giddens, Sampson, Tuten, Blue, Kaleb
Jaylen Warren sweat on draft day will be for real
— Mike Wright (@FFHitman) April 9, 2025
Jaylen Warren was well on his way to seeing more action in Pittsburgh. He had outlasted fellow running back Najee Harris was cemented at the top of the depth chart and was primed to convert his career 4.8 yards-per-carry into more yards and more touchdowns. After all, he’s had only 346 career carries or, roughly, one full Derrick Henry season. So it wasn’t the best news to hear that the Steelers are seeing so many running backs ahead of the draft and appear to be set on taking one if not more. But what impact, if any, will this have on Warren’s current dynasty value?
Dynasty Impact: The Steelers have plenty of holes yet to fill, namely at quarterback and possibly edge if they keep poking TJ Watt, so running back would seemingly not be a priority. But even if the Steelers use a high pick or multiple picks on the position, Warren’s status in the Pittsburgh rotation should be secured and, with it, his current dynasty value. Right now, he’s valued as a top-35 running back, according to our DLF app.
This would fall in line with where he’s finished the last two seasons (30th in 2023; 40th in 2024 but missed two games) sharing the ball with Harris. So even if the Steelers take a back, Warren should still see the same amount of attention he has been and leave his ADP intact. You can safely keep him on your roster as an RB3 or make a deal for him on the cheap after the draft.
