With summer starting to heat up and mandatory mini-camps in full swing, fantasy football is approaching. Today, I did an abbreviated dynasty startup mock draft, using the FantasyPros Simulator to complete a 14-round draft. In this article, I will talk about strategy and how I prefer to build my teams in startups and touch on individual picks for the first 10 rounds. Using the fantasy football mock draft simulator is something I have done the last two seasons with FantasyPros and the results have been overwhelmingly positive for my season-long and dynasty leagues. If you haven’t signed up for our premium subscription yet, I would encourage you to do that today.
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Dynasty Startup Mock Draft Strategy
Dynasty leagues have gained somewhat of a dubious reputation in fantasy circles recently. I’ve seen several leagues fold after just one or two seasons, which can be frustrating. However, dynasty startups are a great way to build your team in a way that suits your preference. I tend to be more of an extremist in this format: I either go all in on a win-now roster or I don’t draft anyone older than 25. In most of my dynasty startups, I would rather worry about the future later because flags fly forever.
That being said, for this draft, I went in with an open mind on overall strategy. That quickly shifted in Round 2. Christian McCaffrey was staring at me with the 2.10. The biggest knock on any running back in a dynasty league is age and with McCaffrey turning 28, he got pushed down the board a bit. Drafting McCaffrey also gives me an anchor running back and allows me some flexibility on other positional needs.
This is why the win-now strategy works and being realistic, it isn’t like McCaffrey is going to fall off the map in the next year or two. I’d argue he is set up to continue with elite production through the next three seasons. While McCaffrey is just one example, you can get massive value on veteran players in dynasty startups.
1.03 – Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC)
This was an easy click, especially in dynasty. Throughout his career, he has averaged almost 4,700 yards and 37 touchdowns per season. Mahomes is 28 but should have another decade with premier production.
2.10 – Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)
The consensus 1.01 in redraft, McCaffrey slips down the board here; probably based on age more than anything else. With this pick, I set the course to win now and worry about youth later.
3.03 – Dak Prescott (QB – DAL)
This is a Superflex mock draft, so drafting a second quarterback was a priority. Somehow, Dak Prescott was still available here, going after Trevor Lawrence and J.J. McCarthy. With Mike McCarthy running the offense, Dak will continue to throw it around with high passing volume. Pairing him with Mahomes means I can “set and forget” those important quarterback roster spots.
4.10 – Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
With the way this roster is setting up, I wanted to go heavy at wide receiver with at least the next three picks. Waddle has had over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons and is set up well in Miami for that to continue.
5.03 – Drake London (WR – ATL)
London may be the player I plant my flag on in 2024. I have scooped him up consistently in both mocks and real drafts so far. The arrival of Kirk Cousins and the departure of Arthur Smith should mean great things for the Atlanta offense on the whole. London, in particular, should benefit and his dynasty stock could be a round or two higher a year from now.
6.10 – George Pickens (WR – PIT)
Pickens had a breakout year in 2023, going over the 1,000-yard mark in Pittsburgh. Arthur Smith doesn’t inspire much confidence as an offensive coordinator, but Pickens has minimal competition for targets and gets an upgrade with Russell Wilson at quarterback. He’s the perfect mid-round target.
7.03 – Deebo Samuel (WR – SF)
It was a toss-up between Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans at this pick, with Samuel getting a slight nod. While he is getting some wear and tear, Deebo Samuel is still a top-15 wide receiver and I prefer the 49ers offense to the one in Tampa Bay when investing in a player.
8.10 – Trey Benson (RB – ARI)
While he will start as the backup, I think there is a good chance Benson will be the starter in Arizona by Week 8. He has the draft capital (third round), size (221 pounds) and speed to take the job from James Conner and keep it. For me, running back is the toughest position to draft in dynasty, so the plan will be to backfill later in the draft.
9.03 – Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)
McLaurin isn’t a sexy pick but he has four straight 1,000-yard seasons. He also has probably the best quarterback he’ll ever play with in Jayden Daniels. Getting McLaurin outside the top-100 picks is a screaming value.
10.10 – Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
I like Ferguson as a standalone piece, but having Dak Prescott as my QB2 makes this an easy selection. Ferguson was a target monster in 2023 and his role should continue to grow in Dallas. At just 25, he is an underrated dynasty piece.
11.03 – Jameson Williams (WR – DET)
12.10 – Romeo Doubs (WR – GB)
13.03 – Ray Davis (RB – BUF)
14.10 – Audric Estime (RB – DEN)
Rounding out the draft, I took some upside receivers and then a couple of rookie running backs who could end up with bigger-than-expected workloads. If we were to stretch this draft out to 20 rounds (the typical dynasty size), I would continue to stockpile young running backs, add an upside quarterback (Justin Fields), and grab at least one more tight end.
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
