Dynasty startup drafts in fantasy football are all about loading up your roster with as much value as possible. Individual league seasons will be determined by shrewd in-season play, but long-term success requires a solid foundation of talent.
In this mock, I’ve drafted from the No. 12 spot and prioritized value over team need. Assume a starting lineup of 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 2 Flex, and 1 Superflex, with no kickers or defenses included.
Dynasty Superflex PPR Mock Draft: Building Elite Receiver Foundation
1.12) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
It can be surprising to find a player like CeeDee Lamb still available at the end of the first round, but with quarterbacks in high demand, other positions can see high-value players slide lower than anticipated.
The standout quarterbacks will all likely be gone by No. 12, making an elite receiver an easy choice. It would take an exceptional young talent to tempt me to draft a running back in the first round of a startup draft, even in 1QB formats. Lamb is a top-three receiver in the NFL and the perfect pillar to build a dynasty roster around.
2.01) Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Just one pick later, the rules haven’t changed. Outside of quarterbacks, wide receivers are the most precious commodity in dynasty. Amon-Ra St. Brown’s consistency has, perhaps, led to him falling below some of the more eye-catching young NFL receivers.
The Detroit Lions’ star finished both 2023 and 2024 as the WR3 in fantasy football, but is being taken behind Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Puka Nacua in some leagues. Despite having four years of NFL experience behind him, St. Brown is still less than a year older than the likes of Jayden Reed and Rashee Rice.
Starting my dynasty build with two of the very best receivers in football more than makes up for not yet having a quarterback.
3.12) Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
At this point, if you still don’t have a quarterback, you should be mapping the remaining players that you like and deciding, ahead of time, when you will pull the trigger. There is great value to be had if you can wait, but missing out on the position altogether is a horrible way to start.
Trying to acquire starting quarterbacks after the draft will be far more expensive than simply reaching here, but I’m more than comfortable with what’s available later on. Tee Higgins will be the third top receiver on my team, raising both my floor in case of injury and my ceiling as an elite Flex option.
The likes of Jordan Love and Kyler Murray should be available at this spot, but it’s impossible not to be excited about the way this team is shaping up.
4.01) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Even after his breakout 2024 season, I think it’s still lost on some people just how talented Jaxon Smith-Njigba is. While not drafted as highly as Marvin Harrison Jr. was the following year, Smith-Njigba was the first receiver taken in his class, having missed all but three games of his final year in college.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 37.0 Fantasy Points, WR1
He had an additional 78 yards negated by holding penalties yesterday..
dude could’ve finished with 258 yards pic.twitter.com/c0ctYx0S8q
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) November 4, 2024
Smith-Njigba does have a new quarterback this year, as well as a new offensive coordinator, but also has less competition for targets. Seattle Seahawks legends DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are both now elsewhere, with an oft-injured Cooper Kupp replacing them.
Smith-Njigba was the WR9 in PPR in 2024, making him the third WR1 on this roster. Higgins missed out on the top 12 last season, due to injury, but ranked sixth among receivers in points per game.
5.12) Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is ranked as the QB17 this year, despite stacking three consecutive top-10 finishes at the position, with each one improving each year. Goff is one of those players that you feel like you should be trying to move, due to age, play style, a new coordinator, and a slew of other factors.
The good news is that the Lions’ quarterback is still just 30 years old, on a great team, and with all of his top weapons expected to remain with the team for the foreseeable future. It’s easy to look too far down the line in dynasty and become obsessed with young, exciting players, but stability is key too.
Drafting Goff gives me a solid starting QB, and still allows me several years to find his eventual replacement.
6.01) Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison is one more WR2 season away from never being drafted this late again. The speedy boundary receiver has been a perfect complement to Justin Jefferson since arriving in the NFL two years ago.
Much of Addison’s fantasy value so far has come via touchdowns, registering 20 total scores in two seasons for the Minnesota Vikings. With his blend of speed, route-running prowess, and reliable hands, Addison should only continue to grow as an NFL receiver.
Addison could serve as my Superflex if needed, cover receiver or Flex-spot injuries, and fill in for bye weeks. He also gives me a valuable trade piece if I want to go all in for some running backs later in the season.
7.12) Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets
Justin Fields is a risky pick for my second quarterback, but I can aim for upside, knowing safer floor options are available later in the draft.
Fields started six games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, winning four and tallying five top-20 finishes at the position, including three top-12s. The most notable of those came in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, when Fields finished as the QB1 overall on the week.
Jets QB1 Justin Fields 2024 highlights:pic.twitter.com/cmdwKmqpvE
— Justin Fields Fan Club (@JustinFieldsFC) March 10, 2025
The most significant risk with Fields is the possibility of him losing his starting job. The former Chicago Bears quarterback has always been a better fantasy QB than a real-life one. The New York Jets have committed to him for two years, though, and will likely build an offensive scheme around his rushing strength.
Late-Round Value and Strategic Depth Building
8.01) Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Another high-upside QB option is Bryce Young, who resurrected his career with a phenomenal 180-degree turnaround in 2024. After being benched for Andy Dalton early in his second season, things looked bleak for Young. But he looked like a different player in the second half of the year.
The Carolina Panthers quarterback finished as the QB20 or better in nine of the team’s final 10 games, including three finishes inside the top eight. Young showed ability on the ground, with five rushing touchdowns in the final six weeks, and threw for multiple scores in each of the last three.
Young now has first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan to throw to, as well as a much-improved offensive line, and could be a breakout star in 2025.
9.12) Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
Having locked up some WR and QB depth, running back and tight end become a consideration. No fantasy manager would honestly claim to be thrilled with Cam Skattebo as their RB1, but I wouldn’t have the immense foundation that I do had I committed to the position earlier.
Chase Brown, Isiah Pacheco, and Kyren Williams were all drafted in the fifth round or later in the past few years and are all among the most sought-after running backs in fantasy. Bucky Irving was being drafted in the third round of rookie drafts last season and is now being drafted in Round 3 of startup drafts.
This team may struggle at running back in Year 1, but it’s something that can be easily fixed down the line.
10.01) Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs had a minor breakout in 2024, finishing his second season as the WR35 overall in PPR. More impressively, Downs managed eight weekly finishes inside the top 24, and four inside the top 12, despite missing three games.
With Anthony Richardson likely staring at his last chance to prove himself as a starter, Downs should be on the end of some better quarterback play sooner or later. The 23-year-old broke away as the Colts’ leading receiver in 2024 as Michael Pittman Jr. dealt with injury.
Pittman is in a contract year and could easily be on a new team in 2026, paving the way for Downs.
11.12) Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears
Although I’m happy to punt on RB in startup drafts, I also enjoy taking shots on young players with potential. Roschon Johnson seems to divide opinion online, but he has a real chance to prove himself for the Bears under a new offensive play-caller.
With Ben Johnson moving to Chicago, Johnson was always going to be compared to Lions running back David Montgomery. Sadly, there are many big-bodied backs in the NFL, but not many are as effective as Detroit’s bruiser.
Still, with only D’Andre Swift ahead of him, Johnson is a genuine breakout candidate in 2025.
12.01) Isaac Guerendo, RB, San Francisco 49ers
I loved Isaac Guerendo coming out of college and was, therefore, gutted to see him land in a backup role to Christian McCaffrey. That appears to have been a potential blessing in disguise, though, as McCaffrey’s long-term health remains uncertain.
Isaac Guerendo Week 14 Every Run, Target, and Catch San Francisco 49ers vs Chicago Bears NFL 2024
Isaac had 15 carries for 78 yards and 2 rushing TDs. He also caught 2 passes for 50 yards.#fantasyfootball #football #highlights #Shanahan #injury #purdy #CMAC #Kittle #FTTB pic.twitter.com/LuWGmI8u8r
— @NFLStudy (@NFLStudy) December 10, 2024
When given an opportunity in his rookie year, Guerendo showed every bit of his physical, direct running ability and his ability as an NFL-caliber back. The then-rookie was given a snap share of over 50% on four occasions in 2024, and turned three of those occasions into top-11 finishes.
13.12) Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
While veteran RBs may be the easiest to trade for in dynasty, tight ends are given more lenience when it comes to age. Instead, the TE position can always be managed on the waiver wire, making it another low priority.
It’s also true that, as with running backs, there are some values to be found late in rookie drafts. Trey McBride and Sam LaPorta were both available in the late second round of their respective rookie drafts, while Tucker Kraft was going undrafted in three-round drafts.
Isaiah Likely appears to be the heir to Mark Andrews for the Baltimore Ravens, which would make him a very valuable asset down the road. I think Andrews is being underrated this year, but I still expect Likely’s role to grow.
14.01) Jalen Milroe, QB, Seattle Seahawks
There are some intriguing receivers available around this spot, including Cedric Tillman, Quentin Johnston, and Adonai Mitchell. Given, though, that no player I draft here would likely start for my team when everyone is healthy, I’ve opted for the player with the highest upside on the board.
With Goff, Fields, and Young, I believe I have enough security at quarterback, but Jalen Milroe isn’t a security play. If Sam Darnold underwhelms in Seattle, Milroe could find himself in a starting role and potentially be an instant top-10 fantasy QB, with top-five upside.
None of those above receivers would start ahead of the players I already have at the position, giving me a chance to select a potential superstar late in the draft.
