While dynasty rookie drafts are still happening, there is never a bad time for a dynasty startup draft. While there are several strategies you can use during startup drafts, finding the best value in every round is critical regardless of which you deploy. So, let’s look at the best Dynasty Draft ADP value in each of the top 15 rounds in a 12-team, 1QB, half-point PPR startup.
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
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Dynasty Startup Draft ADP Values
We go round-by-round to identify the best dynasty startup draft ADP values based on average draft position.
Round 1 – Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
The past few years have been rough for Taylor’s fantasy players. The superstar has missed at least six games each of the past two seasons because of injuries. However, he remains one of the top running backs in fantasy football, averaging 16.6 fantasy points per game since his rookie year. Indianapolis has a talented offensive line and a dynamic running quarterback. Expect Taylor to have a massive 2024 season and jump back into the dynasty RB1 mix next offseason.
Round 2 – Drake London (WR – ATL)
London has struggled in his career because of awful quarterback production. However, most wide receivers would struggle with catching every career pass from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke. Thankfully, London won’t have that problem again with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. on the roster. The former USC star has averaged 8.6 fantasy points per game in his career despite a 2.6% touchdown rate. He will have a breakout year in 2024 and become a top-12 dynasty wide receiver.
Round 3 – Nico Collins (WR – HOU)
Many called Collins a breakout candidate last offseason. The former Michigan star had his first top-10 finish in 2023 despite missing time with injuries. He led the Texans in receptions (80), targets (109), receiving yards (1,297), and touchdowns (eight) after becoming C.J. Stroud‘s go-to target. While Tank Dell is a talented receiver, Collins is still the No. 1 guy in Houston. Stefon Diggs is a rental, which has pushed Collins’ cost down further than it should.
Round 4 – Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)
While Kincaid didn’t have a massive rookie season like Sam LaPorta, fantasy players should have high expectations for him moving forward. The Bills traded away Stefon Diggs and lost Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason. While they signed Curtis Samuel and drafted Keon Coleman, Kincaid should become Josh Allen‘s go-to target in the passing game. When Dawson Knox or Davis missed time last season, the star tight end put up high-end TE1 numbers.
Round 5 – George Pickens (WR – PIT)
Pickens’ fantasy value got a massive boost after the Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson earlier this offseason. Furthermore, Pittsburgh waited until the third round to draft a wide receiver, selecting Roman Wilson. While playing in Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense isn’t ideal, Pickens has been outstanding as the No. 1 wide receiver. Last year, he was the WR13, averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game during the four weeks that Johnson was injured. Pickens will be a popular third-year breakout candidate for redraft leagues.
Round 6 – Trey Benson (RB – ARI)
Fantasy players must be patient with Benson. The rookie running back will be a fantasy star one day, but not in 2024. James Conner is still the lead guy in Arizona. However, the veteran is entering the final year of his contract and won’t return after the upcoming season. The Cardinals are one of the few teams left in the NFL that primarily uses only one running back. Benson has elite home-run speed and will be part of an up-and-coming offense.
Round 7 – Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)
Speaking of an up-and-coming Arizona offense, Murray is the captain of that ship. Last year, he wasn’t at 100% coming off a torn ACL. However, the star quarterback averaged 20.4 fantasy points per game over the first four years of his career. Furthermore, he was a top-seven quarterback on a points-per-game basis in three of those seasons. Fantasy players should expect more top-seven finishes as he develops chemistry with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson over the next few years.
Round 8 – Christian Kirk (WR – JAC)
Kirk was the biggest winner from Calvin Ridley signing with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. He had three receiving touchdowns in 2023 after totaling a career-high eight in his first season with Jacksonville. While the Jaguars added Gabe Davis in free agency and used their first-round pick on Brian Thomas Jr., Kirk will remain Trevor Lawrence‘s go-to guy. The last time he was the team’s No. 1 target getting, the veteran was the WR12, averaging 14.2 fantasy points per game.
Round 9 – Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
Many were surprised when the 49ers took Pearsall with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the former Gator is a talented receiver, posting a 2.3 yards per route run average during his two years at Florida. While the rookie is stuck behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the depth chart, one of the veterans won’t be around in 2025. Furthermore, Samuel could get traded after June 1, creating over $20 million in salary cap space for San Francisco to pay Aiyuk.
Round 10 – Jaylen Wright (RB – MIA)
The Dolphins had an outstanding 1-2 punch at running back last season. Raheem Mostert (17 fantasy points per game) and De’Von Achane (16.1) were top-four running backs on a points-per-game basis in 2023. However, Mostert turned 32 in April, while Achane struggled to stay healthy. Therefore, no one should be surprised that Miami traded a 2025 third-round pick to draft Wright in the fourth round this year. Wright could replace Mostert as the lead back, with Achane mixing in on Mike McDaniel’s offense a year from now.
Round 11 – Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)
While he is coming off the worst season of his career, I believe in Freiermuth. Pittsburgh’s offense should be significantly better after upgrading their quarterback room. Arthur Smith taking over as the team’s offensive coordinator is excellent news for Freiermuth. Last year, the Atlanta Falcons tight ends averaged a 31.7% overall target share and a 29.3% red zone target share. With Diontae Johnson in Carolina, Freiermuth could see the volume needed to have a breakout season in the final year of his rookie contract.
Round 12 – Jermaine Burton (WR – CIN)
Ja’Marr Chase will likely spend most of his career as a Bengal with Joe Burrow under center. However, Tee Higgins is set to play under the franchise tag this season. Whether he gets traded before Week 1 or leaves the team next offseason, the veteran likely won’t play in Cincinnati in 2025. Burton slipped in the NFL Draft because of off-the-field concerns. Yet, he is a talented receiver. Burton ranked first in aDOT (20.2) among wide receivers in the draft class with at least 30 targets last season (per PFF).
Round 13 – Javon Baker (WR – NE)
New England’s wide receiver room was the island of misfit toys heading into the NFL Draft. While he was the second wide receiver the team drafted, I’m all in on Baker. We’ve seen Day 3 wide receivers turn into stars as rookies, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua. While he won’t be a superstar, Baker had the 11th-high PFF receiving grade in the draft class among wide receivers last season and posted a higher yards per route run average than Rome Odunze (3.21 vs. 2.93).
Round 14 – Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF)
Many thought the Bills would trade up during the NFL Draft to secure a high-upside wide receiver like Brain Thomas Jr. Instead, they traded back twice with a team that drafted a wide receiver and took Keon Coleman at the top of the second round. While some will favor the rookie receiver, fantasy players should draft Shakir at a much lower cost. He stepped up late in the year when Stefon Diggs struggled, averaging 12.5 fantasy points per game over his final three contests, including the playoffs.
Round 15 – Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO)
The Saints have one of the most unproven wide receiver cores in the NFL. Chris Olave is a star, but Michael Thomas is gone, and the team waited until the fifth round of the NFL Draft to pick a wide receiver. Meanwhile, Shaheed has limited competition for targets behind Olave. Last year, he had 75 targets, ranking third on the team and second among wide receivers. Fantasy players should have high hopes for Shaheed as the No. 2 wide receiver under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
More Dynasty Draft Advice
- Fitz’s Dynasty Draft Primers
Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
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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.