It was around this time last year that I released a column about this very controversial dynasty startup draft strategy (you can revisit it here). Most of the responses that were hurled in my direction were less than kind, full of “yeah but” and “what if” diatribes. Not only was the idea of going RB-heavy in a dynasty startup preposterous to the community at large, but it also created an even deeper rift between the knuckle-dragging RB lovers and the snooty WR connoisseurs.
It’s a draft strategy. As everyone is aware, the startup draft is about maximizing roster value at the very birth of a new league. From that ledge comes trades and waiver movement galore. Since most startups occur between the wintry darkness and summer doldrums, RB value is in a slumber. The acquisition cost of some of 2023’s top PPR performers will never be lower than it is right now.
Robust RB Dynasty Startup Strategy
I (Don’t) Hate to Brag, But…
2022 was a banner year for those of you who drafted with Robust RB in dynasty startups. I talked about reaching for Breece Hall. He was a top-5 RB in points per game until he tore his ACL and will certainly be a special player at the position for years to come.
It was around this time last year that I released a column about this very controversial dynasty startup draft strategy (you can revisit it here). Most of the responses that were hurled in my direction were less than kind, full of “yeah but” and “what if” diatribes. Not only was the idea of going RB-heavy in a dynasty startup preposterous to the community at large, but it also created an even deeper rift between the knuckle-dragging RB lovers and the snooty WR connoisseurs.
It’s a draft strategy. As everyone is aware, the startup draft is about maximizing roster value at the very birth of a new league. From that ledge comes trades and waiver movement galore. Since most startups occur between the wintry darkness and summer doldrums, RB value is in a slumber. The acquisition cost of some of 2023’s top PPR performers will never be lower than it is right now.
Robust RB Dynasty Startup Strategy
I (Don’t) Hate to Brag, But…
2022 was a banner year for those of you who drafted with Robust RB in dynasty startups. I talked about reaching for Breece Hall. He was a top-5 RB in points per game until he tore his ACL and will certainly be a special player at the position for years to come.
I welcomed the risk of taking shots on established veterans in RB-friendly systems who were slipping too far down the boards in startups. The shortlist of veterans I was targeting included Austin Ekeler, Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry. Those guys are also now known as RB1 through RB5 in 2022 PPR scoring.
Many of the best WRs also came from outside of the first few rounds, as predicted. The most savvy dynasty managers might have capitalized on hot starts by one of their RBs and flipped them for an elite receiver with a longer shelf life of production. The iron is hot again for RBs during the 2023 offseason. The talent pool is even younger and deeper than it was last year. The talented veteran RBs are falling even farther in startups because they are “approaching the cliff.”
Be Patient and Strike Like a Cobra
I have long preached (and practiced) the 2.5-year rule in dynasty. It would be harmfully myopic to build my team purely for short-term success, even if that roster is primed for championship contention. Even a full rebuild should be performed within two or three seasons with a clear plan. Would I prefer to have nothing but studs under 25 years old on every team? Of course. At the same time, I see dynasty managers toss valuable resources away for pennies on the dollar because they don’t want to get “stuck” with a depreciating asset.
The RBs I will be looking to beef up with for 2023 are a nice mix of young and old with varying archetypes. The common denominator is I see them as PPR stalwarts for at least the next two to three seasons. We can always make deals during the ebbs and flows of the season when RB desperation heats up, and WRs have down games. I’d rather fill all my starting RB and Flex positions with RBs before I proceed with deeper positions. Here are my targets for 2023 dynasty startup drafts in the early rounds.
Young and Exciting: Jonathan Taylor, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Bijan Robinson, Travis Etienne, D’Andre Swift, Jahmyr Gibbs, Rhamondre Stevenson, Javonte Williams, Najee Harris, JK Dobbins
Tried and True: Austin Ekeler, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard
Down to a System
Like Hall last season, there is a fervor around Texas RB Bijan Robinson. It is 100 percent justified. He is absolutely worth a first-round dynasty startup pick, sight unseen and regardless of landing spot. I feel less confident in Jahmyr Gibbs, but his ADP is still in the sixth round of startups. I feel fine about that, especially with his receiving chops. Drafting four or five of the above RBs will not prevent you from grabbing good WR talent. There are literally dozens of WRs with top-12 potential, and many of them will slip multiple rounds later than their future performance will reflect.
Foundational Bedrock
A solid RB room with elite upside is the cornerstone of a dynasty championship roster. There is also a lot of value in stockpiling young RBs with PPR chops later in the startup draft, along with undervalued WRs and TEs. The RB position is the gold standard in that it is the stable currency that the rest of the positional values depend on. With the proliferation of zero-RB gospel running rampant, the almighty RB doubloon is in a full-on “buy” position. Watch as their value skyrockets during the regular season, resulting in a windfall.
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – which optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
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