DBro’s Must-Have Dynasty Startup Draft Picks (2023 Fantasy Football)

Check out a few of my must-have fantasy football players that I’m targeting in dynasty startup drafts. And you can find all of my must-have dynasty startup targets in this article.

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Must-Have Dynasty Startup Targets

Here are the fantasy football players I’m targeting in my dynasty startup drafts.

Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)

(May Startup ADP per DLF: WR95)

PUKA. NACUA. Know the name. https://t.co/3wZ5fKqk1M

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) May 25, 2023

Nacua should be a priority target in the later rounds of every startup. He has an easy path to a starting role in his first year, and whether or not you believe in his talent flourishing long term as I do, Nacua could be rising up dynasty ranks by mid-season, making him a good draft and flip for a profit. If Nacua didn’t deal with injuries in college and attended a more ballyhooed collegiate program, he wouldn’t have slipped in the NFL Draft. His efficiency metrics scream he will shock people with his production in 2023. Nacua ranked second and sixth in yards per route run over the last two years (minimum 50 targets per PFF). He could get some Robert Woods-esque handoffs this year after racking up 357 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in college. Have faith in the process. Draft Nacua.

Darren Waller (TE – NYG)

(May Startup ADP per DLF: TE9)

2023 TE leaders in YPRR vs. Man Coverage
(min 10 man targets per PFF)

1. Darren Waller
2. Mark Andrews
3. Gerald Everett
4. Travis Kelce
5. Jordan Akins
6. Dallas Goedert
7. David Njoku
8. Evan Engram
9. Jelani Woods
10. Noah Fant
11. T.J. Hockenson

See a trend yet…

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) May 10, 2023

Drafting Waller is risky. I won’t dismiss that, but he’s the easiest tight-end target to mine in startups that could access a championship-level ceiling in 2023. If Waller can’t stay on the field this year, the Giants can move on next year while saving nearly 6.1 million against the cap. Call me crazy, but I’m not willing to bury a 31-year-old tight end who, during his limited 2022 season, showed he can still produce with the best in the business. Last year Waller was 13th in PFF receiving grade, 12th in yards per route run, and first in yards per route run against man coverage (per PFF). Waller should lead the Giants in targets this year if healthy and rise back up dynasty rankings. Waller the baller returns in 2023.

Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)

(May Startup ADP per DLF: TE10)

SAAAAAAAAMMMMMYYY BALLGAME

MY LORD…

MUST DRAFT more Sam LaPorta 👑 pic.twitter.com/GsCfAxqusN

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) May 11, 2023

Sammy Ballgame will begin his coronation as the next candidate for the king of the iron throne of tight ends, possibly as soon as 2023. LaPorta should have no problem earning the full-time role in Detroit from Day 1. His ridiculous talent can flourish with that lavish snap and route role in his back pocket. In each of his final two seasons in college, he has ranked inside the top 20 in PFF receiving grade and yards per route run among FBS tight ends (minimum 20 targets per PFF). LaPorta also flashed the deeper metrics that forecast an elite ceiling is on the horizon. In 2022 he led all FBS tight ends in man coverage targets while ranking second in PFF receiving grade and third in yards per route run against man coverage (minimum ten man coverage targets per PFF). LaPorta is a future superstar at the position.