When entering a startup dynasty draft, you approach it differently than a redraft league. Age should play a major factor in your decision-making. Remember that, whether you’re participating in a real draft or a fantasy football mock draft.
I do not consider any running backs over 25. The position has the shortest lifespan, so I want to stay young there, knowing I will need to address it frequently. Ideally, I will look to trade any running back for draft picks by the time he is in his age-28 season.
Dynasty Startup Fantasy Football Mock Draft
I avoid all wide receivers who are over 28, and when rostered, I attempt to trade them at or near their age-30 season for a rising younger player or draft picks. Flipping these veterans into younger assets keeps your roster from aging. If you’ve ever been stuck in a rebuild, you know the pain.
Quarterbacks and tight ends have more flexibility, since they have longer windows of playing time. With that in mind, here’s how my latest dynasty startup mock draft unfolded. After randomizing my spot, the FantasyPros mock draft simulator gave me the 1.02.
The roster requirements for this mock draft: 1-QB, 2-RB, 2-WR, 1-TE, 3-FLEX and 12 bench spots.
1.02: Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
I understand the concern about Matthew Stafford‘s age, but the Rams selected Ty Simpson as the future signal-caller. Puka Nacua is one of a few quarterback-proof wide receivers.
According to the Fantasy Points Data Suite, among wide receivers with at least 300 routes, Nacua led all wide receivers in yards per route run (YPRR), targets per route run (TPRR) and fantasy points per route run (FP/RR).
Nacua is the kind of player you can build a dynasty roster around.
2.11: Chris Olave (WR – NO)
The Saints drafting Jordyn Tyson doesn’t move me off Chris Olave as my No. 2 wide receiver. Other than the injury-plagued season with concussions in 2024, he has consistently ranked near the top of the league in targets.
Tyson’s presence is more likely to impact Juwan Johnson. Since 2022, Olave has averaged a 29.5% first-read share, cementing himself as the focal point in the passing game.
That role isn’t changing near the goal line, either. Per the Fantasy Points Data Suite, Olave has been at or near the top of the team in inside-the-20 targets every season of his career. Don’t overthink this one. Volume is king.
3.02: Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
Despite coming up short of expectations last season, Ladd McConkey still led the team in receiving yards. There’s no doubt Keenan Allen impacted McConkey’s usage, as his first-read share dropped from a team high of 29.1% to 20.4% (third).
You can’t count Allen out of returning in 2026, but it’s more of a short-term problem if he does. With Allen nearing the end of his career, McConkey is positioned to take over as the Chargers’ primary option.
We have already seen a glimpse of that ceiling. McConkey broke Allen’s rookie franchise record for most receptions and receiving yards. I’ll take the discount with McConkey going as the WR15 in the early third round, according to average draft position (ADP).
4.11: Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
I’m not high on Breece Hall, but I’ll take him here knowing Bucky Irving, Quinshon Judkins or TreVeyon Henderson will be available after the turn.
The offensive line is the primary concern. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded the Jets 22nd in run blocking last season.
It’s the receiving role that keeps Hall a viable RB2. Per the Fantasy Points Data Suite, among running backs with at least 150 routes last season, he ranked 10th in YPRR and 13th in FP/RR.
With Geno Smith throwing the 11th-most screen passes last season, per PFF, that usage should hold, even if Hall’s rushing is inconsistent.
5.02: Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)
Quinshon Judkins is a complementary, volume-based RB2. In just 14 games, he ranked 18th in carries and handled goal-line duties, punching in five touchdowns from inside the 5-yard line.
Judkins also ranked 11th out of 33 qualifying backs (minimum 150 carries) in yards after contact per attempt (3.20), per PFF. This showcases his ability to create yards when the protection breaks down.
Finding my second running back with that profile this late in the draft gives me security at the position and allows me to shift to other needs.
6.11: Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)
I’m a sucker for Ben Johnson and the Bears’ offense. The knock on Caleb Williams in his rookie season was his handling of pressure, as he finished 41st in pressure-to-sack rate (28.2%).
Williams improved dramatically in Year 2, cutting that number to just 10.8% (third), showing more awareness in the pocket. In an offense loaded with playmakers, Caleb Williams has QB1 upside. He is a strong value before we hit the seventh round.
7.02: Christian Watson (WR – GB)
There’s no argument that Christian Watson is hurt every single season and has yet to complete a full season. But what if he does play 17 games?
In only 10 games last season, on an 18.2% target share, Watson averaged 61.1 receiving yards per game and posted a 2.67 YPRR on 229 routes, per Fantasy Points Data Suite.
The sample size is small, but the efficiency is elite. Watson has been able to generate big plays when on the field. If he’s ever able to put a full season together, there’s reason to believe a top-12 finish is well within reach.
8.11: Josh Downs (WR – IND)
Alec Pierce got the mega contract. Tyler Warren isn’t going anywhere. But with Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, there’s plenty of meat on the bone for Josh Downs to carve out a larger role.
Downs was already earning a 19.4% first-read share compared to Pittman’s 23.2%. The vacated targets won’t funnel in on just Warren and Pierce.
There isn’t a clear alpha in this offense, giving Downs real sleeper appeal based on how close he was to Pittman’s usage.
9.02: Blake Corum (RB – LAR)
I realize Kyren Williams is the starter and is the same age as Blake Corum. However, Corum has shown better efficiency, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and forcing more missed tackles per attempt (0.18).
According to PFF, Corum also finished just three explosive runs shy of Williams (26 to 23) on far less volume. He doesn’t need a full workload to return value, making him a solid depth piece with standalone value with long-term upside.
10.11: Jonah Coleman (RB – DEN)
I don’t like that I caught the tail end of a run on running backs, but I want to stash Jonah Coleman. It’s not a “win-now” move; it’s a pick that hopefully pays off later.
With J.K. Dobbins well past my age requirement at 27 and RJ Harvey on that threshold of 25, Coleman has a legit chance at being the bell-cow back sooner than later.
Coleman is a tough runner who posted over three yards after contact per attempt in all four years of his college career, per PFF. That profile gives him a real path to eventually taking over early-down work, while Harvey remains more of the receiving option.
11.02: Oronde Gadsden II (TE – LAC)
There’s always a risk investing in a second-year tight end that was middle of the pack in terms of total routes run. Even on only 68 targets, Oronde Gadsden II showed encouraging signs with a 9.5 aDOT (average depth of target) and 1.77 YPRR. He also averaged 44.3 receiving yards per game.
More volume is on the horizon because Keenan Allen commanded a nearly 21% target share and over 100 targets at age 34, leaving Gadsden with an opportunity for a larger role as soon as next season. Note that the Chargers signed David Njoku.
12.11: Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE)
Dylan Sampson is a handcuff to Quinshon Judkins, but he also offers standalone value in the passing game. Despite running just 135 routes, he ranked in the top 12 at the position in TPRR and posted a 2.01 YPRR, per the Fantasy Points Data Suite.
With Jerome Ford now in Washington, Sampson should have an opportunity for more work on passing downs.
13.02: Bo Nix (QB – DEN)
The future is bright, and Bo Nix has an array of pass-catching options with the newly acquired Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton. I’ll take him here as my QB2. I won’t have to worry about this position for a long time.
14.11: Ted Hurst (WR – TB)
We are betting on Ted Hurst as the eventual replacement for Mike Evans. I don’t expect it to happen in Year 1, but he has the size, speed and profile of a big possession receiver. Taxi squad eligibility helps make this pick easier.
15.02: Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
Getting a reliable veteran tight end in case Oronde Gadsden II disappoints. Even after CeeDee Lamb returned from a high-ankle sprain in Week 7, Jake Ferguson led the team in red-zone targets and ranked second in end-zone looks — making him a safe TE2 with upside.
16.11: De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – SF)
The 49ers invested a high second-round pick in De’Zhaun Stribling. There could be an early path to playing time since the team moved on from Jauan Jennings, and Brandon Aiyuk‘s future is also uncertain.
I’m willing to bet on Stribling’s speed and draft capital as an upside swing.
17.02: DJ Giddens (RB – IND)
Jonathan Taylor has had a very heavy workload, topping 300 carries in three of his six seasons. DJ Giddens, a fifth-round pick two years ago, has the most draft capital among the remaining backups. Taking a shot here to be Taylor’s backup.
18.11: Chig Okonkwo (TE – WSH)
I wanted to add a young depth piece behind Oronde Gadsden II, and Chig Okonkwo is a great late-round value here. It’s still fair to question whether the Commanders bring back Zach Ertz, but at age 35, he’s in his twilight years.
If Okonkwo gets a chance to start in Washington, there could be some sneaky fantasy appeal. Per the Fantasy Points Data Suite, over the final five games, Okonkwo posted a 1.64 YPRR and ranked 10th in TPRR.
19.02: Malachi Fields (WR – NYG)
I love Malachi Fields’ size at 6-foot-5 and 218 pounds. It gives him a chance to carve out a red-zone or goal-line role in Year 1. I am deep enough at the position where I can afford to let this rookie play out.
20.11: Tank Dell (WR – HOU)
Tank Dell has gone through a lot of rehab since his 2024 gruesome leg injury. The Texans drafted Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel last season while Dell worked his way back.
Since that time, neither rookie has firmly taken over, but there is a path for Dell to emerge as a late-round gem if he can flash the potential he once showed.
21.02: Tahj Brooks (RB – CIN)
With my final pick, I wanted to address my biggest remaining need. Chase Brown‘s contract ends after this season. If he becomes too expensive for the organization, Tahj Brooks could get a shot to shine in 2027 and beyond.
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