Dynasty Fantasy Football Buy Or Sell?: Bucky Irving, Trey Benson, Blake Corum

The 2024 fantasy football season is in the rearview mirror. The rookie class had multiple superstars at the quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end positions.

Unfortunately, fantasy players didn’t get much from the rookie running back draft class. Jonathon Brooks’ rookie season was ruined because of two torn ACLs. Meanwhile, MarShawn Lloyd only played in one contest because of multiple injuries.

However, Bucky Irving, Trey Benson, and Blake Corum showed some potential as rookies. While Irving was the only one with fantasy value in 2024, what should fantasy players do with the three running backs? Let’s examine each rookie running back and whether fantasy players should buy or sell in dynasty leagues.

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Buy Or Sell Bucky Irving?

Irving was a popular sleeper candidate during dynasty rookie drafts last season. Many in the fantasy football community aren’t fans of Rachaad White, leading to the former Oregon star getting pushed up boards later in the offseason as rookie drafts happened. While he didn’t take the featured role away from White in Week 1, Irving became a league winner as a rookie.

The fourth-round pick scored single-digit half-point PPR fantasy points in four of his first five games. However, Irving scored 11.9 or more fantasy points in all but one healthy game the rest of the year. The former Oregon star ended the season as the RB14, averaging 13 fantasy points per game, a higher average than Aaron Jones (12.7) and Tony Pollard (11.3).

Despite playing on a pass-happy offense with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin, Irving was far and away the best running back in the 2024 NFL Draft class. He ended his rookie year with 207 rushing attempts for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns. Furthermore, the rookie was a factor in the passing game, totaling 47 receptions on 52 targets for 392 receiving yards.

Bucky Irving for 6!!

The @Buccaneers take the lead over SF!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/UCJs5RwIWp

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 10, 2024

Unfortunately, fantasy players have to worry about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offseason plans at running back. White is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The team could look to upgrade their No. 2 running back spot over the former Arizona State star. However, the Buccaneers could take advantage of the deep 2025 rookie running back class, possibly replacing Irving as the team’s No. 1 running back.

As a fourth-round pick, Irving doesn’t have the draft capital behind him to avoid getting replaced. Yet, that is unlikely given how well he played to end last year, averaging 17.8 rushing attempts for 104.5 yards per game over his final six healthy regular season contests. While fantasy players should panic sell the former Oregon star, his fantasy value will likely never be higher. I would consider selling high on Irving.

Buy Or Sell Trey Benson?

Fantasy players all but declared Benson the No. 2 running back in last year’s rookie draft class after he got drafted by the Arizona Cardinals. The former Florida State star was a popular RB2 in pre-draft rankings. However, he became a near consensus No. 2 running back selection following the NFL Draft because of his landing spot. The Cardinals backfield looked like an excellent long-term fit for Benson.

Unfortunately, things can change quickly in the NFL and fantasy football. James Conner was heading into the final year of his contract in 2024, meaning Benson would only have to wait one season before taking over as the starting running back in Arizona. However, that changed when the Cardinals signed the veteran running back to a two-year extension in November.

Conner’s contract runs through the 2026 season. Yet, he will likely get cut after next year when the team can save $8 million in salary cap space. Unfortunately, that means Benson will need an injury to the veteran running back to have meaningful fantasy value in 2025. While Conner has struggled with injuries in his career, he only missed one game last year.

By comparison, Benson was the one who struggled with injuries, missing four games as a rookie, including the final three of the season. Furthermore, he had limited impact, ending the year as the RB69, averaging 3.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Benson finished with 63 rushing attempts for 291 yards and one touchdown last season.

.@AZCardinals rookie RB Trey Benson takes the carry in for his first career NFL TD!

📺: #CHIvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/W9HRN9YnfN

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024

Furthermore, he had almost no impact in the passing game, totaling six receptions for 59 receiving yards. While his rookie season was a fantasy bust, Benson was a talented prospect coming out of Florida State. Arizona will likely not spend any significant resources in the backfield this offseason, giving Benson a chance to be a starting running back in 2026. He is a solid buy-low option.

Buy Or Sell Blake Corum?

Many had high hopes for Corum before the NFL Draft after his outstanding college career. He was arguably the top running back in college football during his time at Michigan, totaling 674 rushing attempts for 3,737 yards and 58 touchdowns in four years. Furthermore, Corum was unbelievable his senior season, leading the country in rushing attempts (258) and touchdowns (27).

However, his fantasy outlook took a hit once picked by the Los Angeles Rams. Kyren Williams has been one of the NFL’s top running backs since taking over as the starter in 2023. He ended last year as the RB7, averaging 15.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, his second consecutive season as a top-seven running back.

Fantasy players were reminded throughout the year that the backfield belongs to Williams, with Corum being there to keep him fresh. Head coach Sean McVay loves Williams, with good reason. The star running back has had at least 15 offensive touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. Unfortunately, that meant Corum struggled to produce as a rookie.

Your 506th reminder that this is Kyren Williams’ backfield and Blake Corum was drafted to keep Kyren fresh

(🎥: The Coach McVay Show) pic.twitter.com/7N4med2drH

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) December 3, 2024

The former Michigan star had no fantasy value outside of being Williams’ handcuff. Corum was the RB81 as a rookie, averaging 1.8 fantasy points per game, totaling 4.2 or fewer in every contest. He ended the year with 58 rushing attempts for 207 yards and seven receptions on eight targets for 58 receiving yards, failing to find the end zone.

While fantasy players are disappointing in Corum’s rookie season, he is a solid trade target this offseason. Williams is heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2025. The Rams could sign him to an extension. However, he has 610 touches over the past two years while dealing with multiple injuries. I would trade a third-round rookie pick for the former Michigan star.

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