While the 2024 season is still months away, that doesn’t matter to dynasty fantasy football players. Now is the perfect time for a dynasty startup draft, with the NFL Draft just around the corner.
I am picking second in this 12-team, superflex PPR-scoring dynasty mock draft. The lineup for this mock draft is one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, two flex, one superflex and eight bench spots.
- Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
My strategy for this mock draft was to build for the future. Had this been a real startup draft with other players, I would have tried to move back in every round and acquire future rookie picks. Despite not being able to trade in this mock draft, I didn’t draft anyone over the age of 28 and only selected three players not on their rookie deal. Furthermore, I selected 11 rookies in this 18-round mock draft. Let’s see how it turned out.
Dynasty Startup Mock Draft: Superflex, PPR
Round 1, Pick 2 – C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU)
Taking Stroud as the second quarterback off the board behind Josh Allen is bold. Yet, the Offensive Rookie of the Year award winner has an argument to be the 1.01 pick in startup dynasty superflex drafts. The former Ohio State star joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana to lead the NFL in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, Stroud is the only one to do it as a rookie. Plus, the Texans recently added Stefon Diggs.
Round 2, Pick 11 – Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Ohio State)
While fantasy players don’t know where Harrison will land during the NFL Draft, the former Ohio State star projects as an elite wide receiver regardless of which team drafts him. He had back-to-back seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in college despite losing C.J. Stroud to the NFL. Whether he lands with the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers or New York Giants, Harrison should be a fantasy superstar as a rookie.
Round 3, Pick 2 – Drake Maye (QB – UNC)
Maye will likely be the second or third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Hopefully, he lands with the Washington Commanders or Minnesota Vikings, as getting picked by the New England Patriots would take him off my draft board. The former UNC star would have the weapons needed to succeed as a rookie if drafted by the Commanders or Vikings. While having Maye as my QB2 isn’t ideal for 2024, it could be an outstanding option in a year.
Round 4, Pick 11 – Malik Nabers (WR – LSU)
For the third consecutive pick, a rookie player joins my team. Landing Nabers at the end of the fourth round is a steal, especially since many believe he is a better wide receiver prospect than Marvin Harrison Jr. Nabers’ ability to play at all three levels should easily translate to the NFL, regardless of who is his quarterback.
Round 5, Pick 2 – Trey McBride (TE – ARI)
Even if Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers get drafted by the Cardinals, I would still take McBride with this pick. He was the TE4 in the nine games with Kyler Murray under center, averaging 14.9 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, McBride ranked second in target per route run rate (26%) among tight ends with at least 35 routes during the nine games he played with Murray (per Fantasy Points Data).
Round 6, Pick 11 – George Pickens (WR – PIT)
Pickens has been one of the more frustrating players to roster in fantasy football. He has superstar flashes but also has had several week-long rough patches. However, the young receiver was the WR15, averaging 16.6 fantasy points per game during the four weeks Diontae Johnson was hurt last season. Unless the Steelers use their first-round pick in the NFL Draft on a wide receiver, I’m buying Pickens having a breakout year in 2024.
Round 7, Pick 2 – Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
Last year was one to forget for Stevenson. The Patriots’ offense was a disaster and the star running back missed time with injuries. However, he was RB7 in 2022, averaging 14.7 fantasy points per game, a higher average than Alvin Kamara. While New England added Antonio Gibson in free agency, that shouldn’t keep Stevenson from having a massive workload in the final year of his rookie contract.
Round 8, Pick 11 – Diontae Johnson (WR – CAR)
Many believe Johnson’s fantasy value declined after getting traded to the Panthers this offseason. However, it’s a plus for the veteran receiver. Bryce Young needs a go-to wide receiver that can consistently separate and get open. Johnson is an elite route runner and should command a heavy target share from the young quarterback.
Round 9, Pick 2 – Brock Bowers (TE – Georgia)
Taking two tight ends before drafting my second running back seems like an awful idea. However, punting on running backs in a PPR scoring draft when you’re building for the future is an underrated strategy. Meanwhile, Bowers is the best tight end prospect since Kyle Pitts or Vernon Davis. The former Georgia star should be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft and finish his rookie season in the TE1 range.
Round 10, Pick 11 – Jonathon Brooks (RB – Texas)
While he had to wait his turn at Texas behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, Brooks was outstanding in 2023. He had 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games before tearing an ACL against Oklahoma State. Brooks also flashed star potential in the passing game, totaling 25 receptions for 286 yards and a touchdown. If he lands with the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL Draft, as many expect, Brooks’ ADP will rise at least 2-3 rounds by the end of May.
Round 11, Pick 2 – Will Levis (QB – TEN)
Levis was outstanding in his career debut, throwing four touchdowns and scoring 26.6 fantasy points. However, he had only four passing touchdowns and 75.4 fantasy points (9.4 per game) over his other eight contests in 2023. Thankfully, Tennessee significantly upgraded its supporting cast this offseason, signing Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard and Lloyd Cushenberry III. The Titans likely use their first-round pick in the NFL Draft on an offensive lineman, further improving the situation around Levis.
Round 12, Pick 11 – Michael Penix Jr. (QB – Washington)
Some would argue taking four quarterbacks in my first 12 picks is draft malpractice. However, it’s a superflex league and talented quarterbacks are worth their weight in gold after the startup draft. Reportedly, Penix could be a top-15 pick in the NFL Draft, possibly landing with the Las Vegas Raiders or Denver Broncos. While he isn’t an elite prospect like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, Penix can be a decade-long starter in the NFL.
Round 13, Pick 2 – Jaylen Wright (RB – Tennessee)
Unfortunately, the 2024 NFL Draft class lacks a superstar prospect at the running back position. However, Wright has a chance to be the first running back drafted after an impressive performance at the NFL Combine. The former Tennessee star totaled 14 rushing touchdowns and averaged 6.7 rushing yards per attempt over the past two years.
Round 14, Pick 11 – MarShawn Lloyd (RB – USC)
Lloyd is the third consecutive rookie and fifth in the past six picks to join my team. The rookie running back never had more than 116 rushing attempts any season in college but averaged over 5.5 yards per attempt in his career. He scored nine rushing touchdowns in back-to-back years on two different teams.
Round 15, Pick 2 – Miles Sanders (RB – CAR)
While he averaged a career-low 5.5 fantasy points per game in 2023, I’ll take a chance on Sanders this late in the draft. The veteran lost the starting job to Chuba Hubbard despite signing a massive contract last offseason. Yet, Sanders had the same missed forced tackle per rushing attempt rate (16%) and a higher yards after contact per attempt average (2.59 vs. 2.56) than Hubbard last year (per Fantasy Points Data). Hopefully, the veteran can rebound in 2024 after the team improved their offensive line in free agency.
Round 16, Pick 11 – Xavier Legette (WR – South Carolina)
Some have concerns with Legette after he had only one year of production in college. The former South Carolina star had 71 receptions for 1,255 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. By comparison, he had 42 receptions for 423 receiving yards and five touchdowns over his first four years at South Carolina. Yet, Legette is dangerous with the ball in his hands, averaging over 26 yards per kick return in college.
Round 17, Pick 2 – Roman Wilson (WR – Michigan)
Michigan won the National Championship this year because of their elite run game. However, Wilson was a critical part of the passing attack. He led the team in receptions (48), receiving yards (789) and touchdowns (12). Furthermore, the former Michigan star accounted for half of the team’s receiving touchdowns, ranking second in the Big Ten in scores only behind Marvin Harrison Jr.
Round 18, Pick 11 – Malachi Corley (WR – Western Kentucky)
Corley is the 11th rookie and final draft pick in this mock draft for my team. The former Western Kentucky star had three consecutive years with at least 73 receptions and seven touchdowns to end his college career. Many have compared him to Deebo Samuel as a dual threat in the receiving game and out of the backfield. There is even a chance the San Francisco 49ers draft Corley if they trade Samuel during the draft.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
