I joined my first two dynasty leagues last season and really loved it. What makes a dynasty startup draft difficult is you have to think beyond one year. You’re forced to weigh whether you’d prefer a player who can help you more right now or one who has the potential to help you even more down the road.
Balance is critical when drafting your dynasty league unless you’re dead set on competing or tanking right away. Today, I’m going to help you strike a balance and walk you through a mock dynasty startup draft I did using our DraftWizard, the perfect tool for trying new draft strategies.
Below is my mock draft for a 12-team, Superflex, PPR league. I was randomly assigned the 5th overall pick.
Find all of our 2021 NFL Draft prospect profiles here
Pick 1.5: Josh Allen (QB – BUF)
The first four picks were Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Christian McCaffrey, and Saquon Barkley. While I was tempted to take Dalvin Cook, Jonathan Taylor, or Alvin Kamara, taking a quarterback is the right move in a superflex format.
With 15 picks between my next selection, I know the quarterback market is going to get decimated by the time I’m on the clock again. So, I’m locking in my QB1 of hopefully the decade in Allen, who took tremendous strides as a passer last season.
Pick 2.8: Nick Chubb (RB – CLE)
I had plenty of options with this pick. Nick Chubb, D’Andre Swift, and Aaron Jones were all available at running back. I could’ve paired Allen with his top receiver, Stefon Diggs. Travis Kelce was a consideration. I also thought about getting greedy and adding Justin Herbert.
However, I couldn’t pass up the elite running back in Chubb, who had a 94% chance of being off the board by my next pick. Injuries aside, Chubb is a star and serves as a great foundational piece at just 25 years old.
I’ll take my chances with what’s left in the third round.
Pick 3.5: Calvin Ridley (WR – ATL)
Swift was surprisingly still on the board here, but I’m not quite as high on him as many are. I’m particularly terrified of the Detroit offense this year and beyond. There were still roughly 10 running backs I liked on the board, and I expected at least a few of them to be there in Round 4.
Joe Burrow tempted me here. But I’m taking a balanced approach and adding a star wide receiver in Ridley. The Falcons wideout finally had the breakout year we were hoping for and is in his prime at 26 years old. In a PPR format, I needed to get a stud receiver.
I’m thrilled to have a top-three QB, top-six RB, and top-10 WR as my team’s foundation.
Pick 4.8: James Robinson (RB – JAX)
The running backs flew off the board between my picks, but fortunately, Robinson was still on the board. I don’t think Robinson’s 2020 season was a fluke. And with Jacksonville’s offense poised to improve with Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer, I think Robinson could build on his big season. I was also encouraged to see the Jaguars refrain from adding any threats to Robinson during free agency unless you consider Carlos Hyde a viable threat.
Now, the Jags could add someone in the draft. But I’m willing to bet that Robinson has a legit shot at being the feature back in an offense that could surprise in 2021.
Pick 5.5: D.J. Moore (WR – CAR)
Moore’s a no-brainer here. Moore is one of my favorites. He caught 21 fewer balls in 2020 but still had 18 more receiving yards than he did in 2019. What Moore really needs is a quarterback who’s willing to take chances, unlike Teddy Bridgewater. I suspect the Panthers will be aggressive in landing one of the elite quarterbacks in the 2021 draft class. Adding someone like Justin Fields or Trey Lance to offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s offense would amplify Moore’s value.
I’m all in on Moore, and I think he’ll come at a discount in drafts.
Pick 6.8: Chase Claypool (WR – PIT)
I’m off to a really strong start in this draft. But I’m conflicted with where to go next. Part of me sees Chase Claypool on the board and sees a young, high-upside option to add to my solid receiving duo. On the other hand, the running backs are starting to thin out. I also need a tight end, but there are a handful of good ones available. Oh, and I should probably think about my QB2.
In the end, I’m taking a player I love in Claypool. Time to pray that Pittsburgh figures out a long-term solution at quarterback. I’m set at receiver for a while. Let’s see what Round 7 brings.
Pick 7.5: Travis Etienne (RB – FA)
Running back gets so bland after the first 12-to-15 players are off the board. Why not take a shot on my RB3 with a true home run threat in Etienne. The Clemson product could thrive in an outside zone scheme that prioritizes the running back in the passing game. Etienne is an electric talent and one worth the gamble. Plus, he’s a lot more exciting than guys like Chris Carson or Melvin Gordon, who I bet I can get a couple of rounds later if I want to.
The 2021 rookie running back class is extremely thin, so I’m thrilled to get Etienne here.
Pick 8.8: Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)
It’s time to nab a starting tight end. Goedert is someone I’m targeting everywhere, as I expect Zach Ertz to be shown the door if the Eagles can’t trade him. Goedert has shown flashes of how talented he is when Ertz has been out of the lineup. With a larger target volume, I expect Goedert to finish as a top-five tight end this year.
Pick 9.5: Melvin Gordon III (RB – DEN)
Oh, look, there’s Melvin Gordon, still on the board two rounds after I took Etienne. Gordon’s only 27 years old and might enjoy a larger workload with Philip Lindsay out of the picture. Gordon isn’t sexy, but he gives me depth at tailback in case Etienne starts slowly.
Don’t worry, things will hopefully get spicier soon…
Pick 10.8: Trey Lance (QB – FA)
My initial plan was to take Zach Wilson, the likely No. 2 pick, right here. But someone took him at the start of Round 10. So, I’ll turn to Lance, who might have just as much upside.
While Wilson seems destined for the New York Jets, Lance’s landing spot is a much bigger mystery. My guess is he ends up in Carolina, where I could potentially enjoy a Lance-Moore pairing for years to come. Lance is a big unknown, having played just one game this season for North Dakota State, but he’s worth the high-upside gamble as my QB2.
Pick 11.5: Henry Ruggs III (WR – LV)
Talk about a boom or bust player. Ruggs showed off his blazing speed at times during his rookie campaign. The problem is he didn’t do it often enough. I’m taking Ruggs because he has a unique trait that can’t be taught. But I’m hoping he develops into a more well-rounded receiver in his second season. It would help if the Raiders could get him an upgrade at quarterback over Derek Carr.
Pick 12.8: Mac Jones (QB – FA)
Hear me out. I could’ve taken someone like Ben Roethlisberger to be my QB3. And sure, maybe Big Ben is a little safer. But you saw how he ended the 2020 season. I figured it was worth it to take a shot on Jones as my QB3, giving me two lottery tickets as my QB2 of the future. Nobody’s draft stock has risen higher than Jones, who went from a questionable college starter to potentially the No. 3 pick in the draft. Then again, that’s if you believe the San Francisco 49ers traded up to No. 3 to take Jones.
Either way, if one of Lance or Jones pop, I’m in outstanding shape long-term.
Pick 13.5: Irv Smith Jr. (TE – MIN)
Smith is only 22 years old, and his primary threat for targets, Kyle Rudolph, was shown the door earlier in the offseason. This is the definition of a player to target in dynasty. With Goedert nestled in as my starter, I’m willing to speculate on Smith developing into a top-1o option at a thin position.
Pick 14.8: Tevin Coleman (RB – NYJ)
We’re at the point in the draft where nobody on the board excites me. Coleman is an uninspiring player. He’s a one-cut tailback with great speed and no vision. While I don’t love the player, the situation is worth a shot. Coleman has a chance to start for the Jets and will play in a system he’s familiar with under coordinator Mike LaFleur, who coached for San Francisco last season.
15.5: Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI)
Mooney was surprisingly solid during his rookie campaign. He’s the clear No. 2 wideout behind Allen Robinson in 2020, but that could change going forward. Of course, Mooney needs someone better than Andy Dalton or Nick Foles under center to be a viable threat long-term.
DraftWizard Grade: C (75/100)
I’m a little hurt, DraftWizard. But it’s okay, you’re probably still in offseason mode. This team is projected 11th in 2021, and I sort of get it. I took a lot of shots on young players and rookies. But I’m confident I’ve got a strong foundation and took some worthwhile risks.
What did you think of this mock draft? Give me your grade on Twitter, @RealMattBarbato.
Check out the rest of our 2021 NFL Draft prospect profiles
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Matt Barbato is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matt, check out his archive and follow him @RealMattBarbato.