In order to succeed in dynasty leagues over the long haul, it is important to identify both overvalued and undervalued players in startup drafts. Startup drafts are a different beast. You draft deep rosters while trying to balance short-term success with long-term sustainability. You’ll see a number of different strategies utilized by your league mates. Some will go all-in on winning early, while others will draft almost entirely for the future. Our featured experts are here to highlight some of the top targets in this year’s dynasty startup drafts that are either overvalued or undervalued to help you split the difference.
Here are the players our featured analysts are avoiding and targeting in dynasty startup drafts this offseason.
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Overvalued and Undervalued Dynasty Startup Draft Targets
Who is one overvalued player based on consensus dynasty rankings that you’ll be avoiding in dynasty drafts and why?
Rachaad White (RB – TB )
“Rachaad White was the RB7, averaging 13.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last season. However, he was an RB1 because of volume, not his talents. The former Arizona State star ranked second in rushing attempts (272) but 14th in yards (990). Furthermore, he ranked 89th in yards after contact per attempt, 84th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 76th in explosive run rate in 2023 (per Fantasy Points Data). While White should have a featured role again this upcoming season, don’t expect that to be the case after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers use a prime pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a talented running back class. There is no reason why White should be the RB11 in the dynasty rankings ahead of Jonathon Brooks and others.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAC )
“Currently the RB6, going 14th overall in single QB dynasty formats, Etienne is an easy avoid. Etienne is still yet to put things together for an entire season, In 2022 Etienne averaged 14.0 points per game before averaging 10.2 the rest of the way. In 2023 Etienne again thrived over the opening half of the season, averaging 20.5 points Weeks 1-8, before averaging 13.1 for the rest of the season. Malik Nabers, Chris Olave and Sam LaPorta are all easier clicks in this range.”
– Tom Strachan (FantasyPros)
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND )
“For it’s Jonathan Taylor. I get why he’s the RB5 and 14 overall, but I think his leash is fairly short. Not to mention the fact that running backs tend to fall off quicker than most other positions. I’m just much more excited about almost every other player going in the 2nd round of startups to take him that soon. If he falls to me in the early 3rd I’d probably be more excited.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Michael Pittman (WR – IND )
“Michael Pittman is being overvalued in all formats, including dynasty. Pittman had a career-high 109 catches and 1,152 yards last season as the primary target for Gardner Minshew, who made 13 starts for the Colts. It seems inevitable that the Indy offense will run more and pass less this season if QB Anthony Richardson and RB Jonathan Taylor both stay reasonably healthy — which certainly wasn’t the case in 2023. As exciting as Richardson’s fantasy potential is, he’s probably going to be a below-average NFL passer this season. He had a completion percentage under 60% last year, averaged 6.9 yards per attempt, and had three TD passes in four games. Pittman needs volume to pay off, because he doesn’t make many big plays, and he doesn’t score many touchdowns. The 26-year-old Pittman has averaged just 10.0 yards per catch over the last two seasons and has 15 career touchdowns in 62 games. I expect Pittman’s production to slip this year, and I think his ceiling is lower than some dynasty managers perceive it to be.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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Who is one undervalued player based on consensus dynasty rankings that you’ll be targeting in dynasty drafts and why?
Javon Baker (WR – NE )
“The New England Patriots’ wide receiver room is the island of misfit toys and two rookies. While Javon was the second wide receiver drafted, I’m all in on the former UCF star. We’ve seen Day 3 wide receivers turn into stars as rookies, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua. Baker had the 11th-high PFF receiving grade in the draft class last season and posted a higher yards per route run average than Rome Odunze (3.21 vs. 2.93). Don’t be shocked if the rookie quickly turns into Jacoby Brissett/Drake Maye‘s go-to target. I will happily draft him ahead of several wide receivers higher in the dynasty rankings, including Jerry Jeudy, Gabe Davis, Tyler Lockett, and others. ”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL )
“Perhaps it’s because Andrews finished the season injured, but dynasty managers are severely underestimating him right now. Zay Flowers emergence was impressive, but nothing compared to what Andrews has put on tape over the years. This Ravens defense is prime for regression and we could see career-high pass attempts for Lamar Jackson, of which most will likely find their way to his favorite target, Mark Andrews.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA )
“Seeing Jaylen Waddle fall to WR13 in the late 2nd feels like a steal to me. Tyreek Hill is going ahead of him at WR9, but at some point, Waddle will take over the 1A and Hill will become the 1B, and that could be this year. I’m much happier taking Waddle over Brandon Aiyuk, Chris Olave, and Malik Nabers, all of whom are going ahead of him in ADP.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Christian Watson (WR – GB )
“Now that a bunch of dynasty managers have been burned on Christian Watson, his price is starting to drop, and I want in. The hang-ups with Watson are (1) he’s been having chronic hamstring issues; and (2) the Packers have a strong collection of young pass catchers. Watson saw a specialist in the offseason about the hamstring issue, so hopefully adjustments in diet and training will remedy the problem. As for the target competition, I’ll fade the “too many mouths to feed” narrative with players I like, and there’s a lot to like with Watson. He’s 6-foot-4 with sub-4.4 speed, and he scored eight touchdowns over a four-game span as a rookie. Watson also scored four touchdowns over a three-game span last season. That sort of big-play production (even in short bursts) suggests that Watson has enormous upside, and I’ll happily invest in him at a reduced sticker price.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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