Expert Dynasty Startup Mock Draft: 12 Analysts, 12 Ways to Attack the Same Board

What happens when you get 12 top dynasty analysts together for a dynasty startup mock draft?

You learn a lot about dynasty draft strategy, roster-building styles, and player value.

The Setup:

This 19-round dynasty startup used PPR scoring and these starting requirements:

• 1 QB
• 2 RBs
• 3 WRs
• 1 TE
• 1 Superflex
• 1 Flex

The Drafters:

• Scott Connor, Destination Devy
• Shane Hallam, Draft Sharks
• Dave Kluge, Footballguys
• David J. Gautieri, Guru Fantasy World
• Matt Schauf, Draft Sharks
• Jared Smola, Draft Sharks
• Chad Parsons, Under The Helmet
• Garret Price, Dynasty Nerds
• Theo Gremminger, Rotowire
• Ryan McDowell, Dynasty League Football
• Jody Smith, Draft Sharks

Next, we'll look at the full draft results, examine each team's final roster, and hear from each participant on how the draft played out.

Dynasty Startup Mock Draft Results

Here's a look at how these rosters stack up in terms of total 3D+ value, our proprietary measure of dynasty value.

You can also see where each team ranks in strength at each position, as well as each team's average age.

Dynasty Startup Mock Draft: Team-by-Team Analysis

Below you'll find each team's roster, as well as answers to a couple of questions about their draft.

Scott Connor, Destination Devy

You started the draft with three straight QBs. Describe your strategy and how this can work in SF startups.

Several years ago, I introduced what I called the “Any QB On A 2-Deep” strategy, built around the idea that virtually any quarterback who is starting NFL games -- think Mason Rudolph, Gardner Minshew, Marcus Mariota, or similar stopgaps -- are historically capable of producing around a QB22-QB23 level over the weeks they start.

In lineup leagues with deep benches, that meant you could often avoid paying premium prices for lower-end dynasty starters like Bryce Young, Sam Darnold, or even C.J. Stroud when their production ceiling wasn't dramatically different from replacement-level starters. 

Instead, you could speculate on backup quarterbacks, rotate through new starters as opportunities arose, and save significant dynasty value elsewhere. The problem is that the market has evolved. Dynasty managers have become much more aware of backup quarterback value, making it far more difficult to cheaply acquire or stash those players.

Rather than constantly fighting over QB competitions, backups, and replacement starters, 

I've pivoted my macro strategy. Instead, I'm investing heavily up front in three young, foundational quarterbacks who should anchor my roster for multiple seasons (statistically, these guys should cover every single week at an above-replacement rate in both QB slots). This frees me from having to chase volatile quarterback situations while other managers dedicate roster spots and trade capital to that approach.

At the same time, we've reached a point where quarterback value in dynasty startups has compressed considerably. Top-15 dynasty quarterbacks are regularly falling into the third and even fourth rounds as managers prioritize elite skill-position players. 

That creates an opportunity to secure long-term stability at the game's most important position at a much more reasonable cost than we've seen in years. This isn't simply a "draft three quarterbacks” strategy, it's a response to changing market dynamics, where quarterback prices have declined while backup quarterback costs have risen, making a stable, long-term foundation the more efficient way to build.

You didn't select a WR until Round 9 (D.J. Moore). Is that a strategy worth considering in a startup?

It's certainly not the ideal blueprint, nor was it my intention going into the draft. However, the board presented a situation where running backs continued to fall well beyond where I valued them, and I felt it was a mistake to pass on that level of value simply to force wide receivers onto my roster. 

My expectation is that I can continually leverage my running back depth and value within the trade market to improve my wide receiver room over time. In the meantime, I'm comfortable flexing running backs because I believe the backs I selected provide stronger weekly scoring than the wide receivers who were available in those same draft ranges.

The reality is that investing heavily in quarterback early naturally creates pressure elsewhere on the roster, and in this particular draft the opportunity cost fell on wide receiver. 

Fortunately, I also believe wide receiver production has become increasingly flat. Over the past couple of seasons, we've seen fewer NFL WR3s producing consistent fantasy value, while the overall middle tier of fantasy WR2s and WR3s has become less impactful than it has been in previous years. That makes players such as Jaylen Waddle, Tee Higgins, Jameson Williams, and others significantly less appealing at their market cost compared to similarly priced running backs who can often provide comparable, or even superior, weekly lineup value. 

Although I wouldn't recommend intentionally waiting until Round 9 to draft your first receiver, I do think managers should remain flexible enough to exploit where the value falls rather than forcing positional balance simply because it feels more comfortable. 

Shane Hallam, Draft Sharks

You selected Fernando Mendoza in Round 5 as your QB2. What excites you about the rookie?

I’m buying into Mendoza’s potential to turn into a top-12 QB within the first few years of his career. His ball placement and ability to extend plays fits the modern NFL and new HC Klint Kubiak’s offense perfectly. That blend of fit and talent makes me willing to take him as a long-term superflex solution along with Josh Allen.

Mendoza should be efficient and effective, paired with TE Brock Bowers long term. He also adds a rushing element that gets forgotten (I predict 300-400 yards a season with a few TDs). That could place him in line with QBs such as Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence.

I also don’t mind waiting on Mendoza to start if he sits behind Kirk Cousins for a few games this year. Don’t sacrifice long-term potential because Mendoza may ride the bench for a few weeks.

You drafted Dalton Kincaid (9.02) and George Kittle (12.11) pretty close to each other. Describe your strategy in doubling up on TE at those spots.

There were a few picks throughout the first five rounds where I considered taking a younger TE such as Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, or Harold Fannin Jr. I opted to load up on WRs and QBs instead, which led to double-tapping TE in the middle rounds.

Kincaid is a potential sleeper for 2026. The 2023 first-round pick averaged 2.79 yards per route last year, was tops among 38 TEs who saw 40+ targets and nearly half a yard better than any other TE. 

But Kincaid missed five games last year with oblique, hamstring, and knee injuries, and he played just 37.6% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps over the other 12 games.

I’m fine taking a chance on him in Round 9 with hopes of a healthy season and more playing time.

Kittle was good value in the 12th round, even heading into his age-33 season coming off an Achilles’ tear. My team could be a contender if I find an RB2, and Kittle would make a rock-solid starter late in the season. He’s worth a bench spot.

Dave Kluge, Footballguys

David J. Gautieri, Guru Fantasy World

Your team ended with the oldest average age in the league (27.1). Should drafters focus more on older, productive players in a startup?

I don’t consider my team “old” despite having the oldest average age. Lamar should give me another 5+ years; I view CeeDee as a cornerstone. I am also starting De’Von Achane, Luther Burden, Sam LaPorta, Bhayshul Tuten; I have plenty of “young” assets. 

That being said I do feel there is “value” targeting productive veterans in the later rounds. I drafted Chris Godwin in Round 12, J.K. Dobbins in Round 13, Mark Andrews in Round 14, T.J. Hockenson in Round 17.

I’d rather get 1-2 productive years out of these guys than the young alternatives I expect to wash out of the league altogether without ever having made a real contribution. 

For example: 

• Romeo Doubs and Tre Harris went Round 12
• Shedeur Sanders and Tyler Allgeier went Round 13
• Ted Hurst went Round 14
• Jordan James and Kaleb Johnson went Round 17

I want nothing to do with those players, ever. Give me the “dusty” vets instead.

You took five TEs in 19 rounds. Can loading up on TEs be a viable strategy?

I think it’s a mistake to look just at total TEs drafted. I took one TE in 10 rounds and didn’t take my first TE until Round 8. Andrews and Hockenson are still flex-worthy in TE-premium & they were practically free. Eli Stowers and Michael Mayer were simply the best picks left on the board -- in my opinion -- when I took them. I’m a believer in value over positional need, particularly late in startups. 

I am collecting trade chips as much as I am depth for my own actual team.

Matt Schauf, Draft Sharks

You selected rookie RB Jeremiyah Love at 2.08. Explain why he is worth an early pick despite not playing an NFL snap yet.

I don’t consider myself especially high on Love. This draft just fell in a way for him to make sense. I got a high-level QB first, was not interested in a TE in Round 2, and expected attractive WR options to remain available for at least my ensuing couple of picks. Love makes sense to me as RB4 in dynasty with a chance his stock rises more quickly than the WRs in his class. And grabbing young upside at the position early freed me to proceed however I wanted at RB the rest of the way.

You selected Harold Fannin Jr. at 6.08 as the fifth TE off the board. Do you consider Fannin part of dynasty’s top TE tier?

Yes, I believe Fannin rounds out the top 5 at the position in PPR for dynasty. And I don't see much difference between him and Tyler Warren. Both came off huge final college campaigns to immediately establish themselves as central targets for their NFL offenses.

Some view Cleveland's WR picks early in this year's draft as adding risk for Fannin in 2026. I see it the opposite way: He's a potential target-share problem for everyone else in the offense. 

That I can get Fannin three rounds later than the position's top 3 only makes him more attractive. (And who knows how much longer he might've lasted if he didn't find me?)

Jared Smola, Draft Sharks

You took Bo Nix at 3.06 then went back to back QBs with Sam Darnold and Malik Willis at 7.06 and 8.07. Describe how you approach taking QBs in a startup and why waiting a bit can work well.

This is about as light as I’ll go at QB in a superflex startup, and it certainly wasn’t a pre-determined plan.

I missed the elite QB tier in Round 1, so I pivoted to Chase. And I couldn’t pass up the value on Malik Nabers, who I believe has a chance to be the WR1 in dynasty once he gets past his current knee issues, in Round 2.

After taking Nix in Round 3, I felt the next few QBs off the board lacked short-term upside, long-term value, or both. So I punted the position until landing Darnold and Willis in Rounds 7 and 8.

I feel good about Nix as a long-term building block because of his sneaky rushing ability and Sean Payton’s coaching. Darnold gives me a floor at QB2, while Willis brings ceiling.

You selected rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq in the ninth round, then followed with Dallas Goedert in the 16th. Describe your TE strategy, and explain how taking a rookie TE that early can help in both the short and long term.

I’ll typically wait on TE in dynasty startups. It’s a onesie position, so demand is lower. And outside of the elites at the position, there’s crazy turnover in fantasy production from season to season.

When I wait on TE, I like to pair future upside with current production. Goedert should give me passable production for another year or two, while Sadiq brings the potential to grow into a high-end producer over the long term.

Chad Parsons, Under The Helmet

You took back-to-back rookie QBs Drew Allar and Carson Beck in the 11th and 12th. Describe how that fit into your QB strategy and how you executed it.

Both Allar and Beck are target rookie quarterbacks. Beck has plenty of collegiate experience, was close to a national title, and has an optimistic situation with Arizona's weapons -- plus a runway to start plenty of games in Year 1

Allar has an elite profile in my model, and Pittsburgh is likely not bad enough with Aaron Rodgers to see a high pick in 2027 to address quarterback, plus Allar could see starts if Rodgers misses time.

Having Matthew Stafford as my QB2 also points to taking a developmental shot or two at the position in the QB3+ positions.

You only took one TE in Travis Kelce (15.07). Is it worthwhile to punt TE long term and just play it to compete now?

I was open to taking an elite tight end early, but once those options (ending at Colston Loveland) were gone, I was committed to waiting a long while. One strategy point in a start-1 format (whether quarterback or tight end) without premium scoring is to play chicken once most of the league has their starting option.

Kelce fell due to his trajectory pointing toward 2026 being his last season, but positional value from the waiver wire or in the trade market is low, making addressing the position at a future date feasible for a 2027 Week 1 starter.

Kelce, like Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten, is the type to finish in the top 10 of PPR scoring even through the erosion phase in his mid-30s. Until Kelce actually retires, he is poised to be a dynasty value.

Garrett Price, Dynasty Nerds

You were the only team to start the draft with two RBs. Describe your strategy and why leaning into RBs can be successful.

In dynasty, there’s very few young bell cow backs. If you don’t get them early, they are almost impossible to pay for because their cost is outrageous.

You selected Jonathon Brooks at 9.08. Describe why you took Brooks over more established RBs and what excites you about him.

Brooks offers crazy upside. Obviously, there’s a good amount of risk involved because of the injuries. But in the ninth, the potential reward outweighs the risk.

Theo Gremminger, Rotowire

You were the last team to take a QB with Kyler Murray at 6.04. Why can waiting at QB work short and long term?

I don’t mind waiting on QB and attacking other positions. Long term, there will be several QBs in the 2027 draft class that I expect to be very appealing. A deep group and lots should have strong draft capital. 

You selected Brian Thomas Jr. at 5.09 as your WR3. Do you see him bouncing back to his rookie production and continuing that long term?

I’m betting on a BTJ bounceback season. He’s closer to the player we saw in 2024 than the 2025 disaster.

Kevin English, Draft Sharks

You selected Tucker Kraft at the 7.10 as the TE6 off the board. Is this an ideal place to take your starting TE?

At TE6, Tucker matches his spot in our dynasty PPR TE rankings.

Look closer at the ranks, though, and you’ll see a tier drop-off after him. With two QBs, three WRs, and an RB already rostered, I felt comfortable chasing Kraft’s high-end ceiling.

We saw that ceiling in a small sample last season. Kraft posted four top-12 fantasy finishes in eight games, including two TE1 overall weeks. Among 38 TEs with 40+ targets, he led the position in yards after catch per reception and ranked second in yards per route run.

His 16.8% target share ranked a modest 14th among TEs, but there's room for growth after Romeo Doubs left in free agency.

At 25, Kraft is just entering his prime production window, according to our historical aging curves. He might start slowly coming off last year’s ACL tear, but he’s on track to be a full go for Week 1. Long term, I’m not worried about the knee.

You took Javonte Williams at the 8.03. Why can he be a good mid-round target in startups?

Williams finished as the RB12 last year in PPR points. 

Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries, he posted solid efficiency marks:

• Fifth in yards after contact per attempt
• 11th in yards per carry
• 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt

Dallas didn’t make any offseason additions at RB, leaving Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah to fight for scraps after combining for just 95 carries in 2025.

Maybe Dallas adds more competition over the summer. But the team already signaled its commitment to Williams by signing him to a three-year contract extension in February. I expect him to retain RB1 upside for 2026, and the contract says he could be in position for a similar outlook in 2027.

Ryan McDowell, DLF

You took two TEs (Brock Bowers and Tyler Warren) in the first five rounds. Describe why a 2-TE strategy can work with no TE-premium scoring?

In a startup, especially in the early rounds, I am more focused on talent and acquiring assets that can gain value rather than filling a starting lineup. Bowers and Warren have both been risers this offseason, but I still see room for value growth for both of them.

If I'm right, rostering them would allow me to make trades to improve and balance my team later.

You didn’t select a WR until Makai Lemon in Round 6, then proceeded to take a WR with seven of your next eight picks. Explain why this scattershot approach at WR can work.

That was not necessarily my plan, as I typically focus heavily on WR. In this case, it didn't fall that way, partially due to going TE-heavy early. That did force me to go with a volume approach, but I was still pleased with that.

I love Lemon as a prospect and found some vet values in Meyers and Pierce. Then, I loaded up on young guys I like, including Golden, Bernard, Williams and Cooper.

Jody Smith, Draft Sharks

You opted for an older WR in Courtland Sutton (11.12). Explain why older productive WRs in mid-rounds can be valuable in startups.

I was happy with my core three WRs all being 23 to 27, so I felt like the opportunity to try to build a “win-now” team presented itself.

Sutton is a prime example. He finished WR16 and WR14 in PPR points the past two seasons, yet he was still available in Round 11 after Denver added Jaylen Waddle.

We’re projecting Waddle to take over the team target lead, but Sutton still sits among the top 36 WRs in our 2026 PPR rankings.

I’ll take a couple seasons of WR3-level production from him in Round 11, with upside beyond that if his 6’4 frame keeps Sutton the primary end-zone target.

You grabbed Cam Skattebo at 8.01. What excites you about the young RB, and do you expect him to be the starter going forward for the Giants?

The additions of HC John Harbaugh and Greg Roman (as a senior offensive assistant) indicate the Giants plan to put plenty of emphasis on the run game. They also didn't add any competition for carries, so I think Skattebo is going to lead the backfield like he did last season before his injury, when he averaged over 17 PPR points per game as New York's RB1. 

If he can approach last year's usage and production, Skattebo will be a solid RB2 who is entering just his second season. 

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