While everyone is knee-deep in dynasty rookie drafts, now is the perfect time for a dynasty startup draft. Everyone knows practice makes perfect, and there is no better way to practice than with the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator.

I am picking second in this 10-team, superflex, and half-point PPR-scoring dynasty startup mock draft. The lineup for this mock draft is one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, three flex, one superflex, and 12 bench spots.

• Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
• Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
• DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers

My goal for this mock draft was to build a team that can contend in 2025 while staying young. Therefore, I avoided drafting players on the wrong side of 30, giving my team plenty of time to win a championship before having to rebuild. Let’s see how it turned out.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Startup Mock Draft

Pick 1.03 – Jayden Daniels (QB – WSH)

Daniels turned into a fantasy superstar as a rookie. He ended the year as the QB5, averaging 20.9 fantasy points per game despite leaving two contests early. Furthermore, the former LSU star has room to grow after totaling 25 passing touchdowns as a rookie despite a limited receiving core. While I wouldn’t draft him over Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, Daniels is my dynasty QB3.

Pick 2.08 – Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN)

The run on quarterbacks pushed Jefferson down the draft board and right into my lap. Last year, the superstar finished as the WR2, averaging 15.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He ranked fourth in targets (154) and second in receiving yards (1,533) behind Ja’Marr Chase. More importantly, Jefferson has been quarterback-proof, averaging at least 14.4 fantasy points per game every season of his career.

Pick 3.03 – Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAX)

Unfortunately, Lawrence struggled with injuries last year, ending the season as the QB27, averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game. However, the former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick is one of my favorite targets in dynasty leagues. He has Liam Coen taking over as his new head coach. Furthermore, Lawrence has arguably one of the top wide receiver duos in the league, with Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter at his disposal.

Pick 4.08 – Trey McBride (TE – ARI)

While everyone is quick to label Brock Bowers as the dynasty TE1, McBride is a significantly better draft value. Last year, he finished as the TE3, averaging 12.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, only 0.1 fewer than Bowers. More importantly, McBride had nearly the same average as the TE1 despite totaling only two receiving touchdowns.

Pick 5.03 – Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)

McConkey dodged two massive bullets this offseason, showing the team’s trust in the former Georgia star. The Chargers didn’t trade for DK Metcalf or add Davante Adams in free agency. Furthermore, they waited until the second round of the NFL Draft to add a wide receiver. Last year, McConkey finished as the WR12, averaging 12.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

Pick 6.08 – Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)

Selecting rookies early and often in startup drafts is how you build a powerhouse dynasty team. McMillan will step in as Carolina’s new No. 1 wide receiver as a rookie, becoming a go-to target for Bryce Young. While the duo is far from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, don’t be surprised if McMillan has a Brian Thomas Jr.-lite rookie season.

Pick 7.03 – Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)

The Browns’ passing attack will likely be a fantasy nightmare for the next year or two. However, that’s excellent news for Judkins, as the offense will flow through the run game. While he isn’t as talented as Nick Chubb, the former Ohio State star should see the volume and goal-line work needed to be a consistent RB2 early in his career.

Pick 8.08 – Justin Fields (QB – NYJ)

Fantasy players always want to leave their dynasty startup drafts with at least three quarterbacks in superflex leagues. Fields’ long-term fantasy outlook is up in the air. The Jets signed him to a two-year deal in free agency. However, they will likely draft a quarterback early next year if the veteran struggles. Either way, Fields has low-end QB1 value for as long as he starts.

Pick 9.03 – David Montgomery (RB – DET)

Montgomery is one of my favorite running backs to draft in fantasy, regardless of the format. The veteran finished last season as the RB18, averaging 14.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, he had 12 rushing touchdowns for the second consecutive year in Detroit despite missing the final three games with an injury.

Pick 10.08 – Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)

The 2025 NFL Draft class has six potential starting fantasy tight ends. Loveland was the first drafted, going 10th overall. More importantly, he landed in an excellent spot for his fantasy value. Cole Kmet is likely heading into his final year with the Bears in 2025. Furthermore, Ben Johnson should have no trouble turning Loveland into his new Sam LaPorta.

Pick 11.03 – Matthew Golden (WR – GB)

Many aren’t fans of Golden because of his landing spot and lack of elite college production. However, the former Texas star could quickly become Jordan Love’s go-to target. Christian Watson is heading into the final year of his contract while coming off a torn ACL. Meanwhile, Jayden Reed severely struggled in the second half of last season. Don’t be surprised if Golden is this year’s Xavier Worthy, ending the season as a must-start wide receiver.

Pick 12.08 – Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX)

Last year, the Jaguars had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL. However, that could change with Liam Coen taking over on the sidelines. He made Bucky Irving into a fantasy star as a Day 3 rookie last year despite the presence of Rachaad White. If Tuten can have similar success, he will be well worth the pick at this point in the mock draft.

Pick 13.03 – Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL)

Speaking of Day 3 rookie running backs, Blue is one of my favorite mid-round targets in dynasty rookie drafts. The former Texas star is an explosive player who can be a significant weapon in the passing game. More importantly, he has a pathway to a lead workload as a rookie, with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders ahead of him on the depth chart.

Pick 14.08 – Jayden Higgins (WR – HOU)

For the fifth consecutive pick, I select a rookie. While the top of the draft class lacks the 2024 group’s appeal, there are several intriguing options this year. Higgins joins an up-and-coming Houston offense that lacks a long-term No. 2 wide receiver because of Tank Dell’s injury history. Don’t be surprised if he thrives opposite Nico Collins.

Pick 15.03 – Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)

Unfortunately, Brooks played in only three contests as a rookie after re-tearing the same ACL he tore in his final college season. The former second-round pick likely won’t play in 2025 because of the injury. However, I’m not giving up on the former Texas star. Brooks would have gone off the board six rounds earlier a year ago, making him a lottery ticket pick with significant upside.

Pick 16.08 – Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)

The three quarterbacks I already picked in this mock draft are all about upside and the long haul. Therefore, drafting Stafford gives my team a reliable QB2 for 2025 and, hopefully, another few years. While the future Hall of Famer offers no rushing upside, the duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams gives him two outstanding wide receivers capable of each scoring double-digit touchdowns.

Pick 17.03 – Braelon Allen (RB – NYJ)

Allen showed some potential as a rookie, scoring 8.3 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in nearly a quarter of his games despite having only 111 touches for the year. New head coach Aaron Glenn told the media earlier this offseason that he wants to use a committee in the backfield. Therefore, Allen could have more value in 2025. More importantly, Breece Hall is heading into the final year of his contract, potentially giving Allen more long-term value.

Pick 18.08 – Travis Kelce (TE – KC)

No one would have expected Kelce to still be on the board in the 18th round of dynasty startup drafts a year ago. While the future Hall of Famer isn’t the superstar he once was, Kelce ended last season as the TE6, averaging 9.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He might only play one more year. Yet, Kelce would give my team a reliable starting tight end if Trey McBride gets hurt.

Pick 19.03 – Elic Ayomanor (WR – TEN)

Tennessee entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a massive need at wide receiver, with Tyler Lockett the team’s No. 2 option on the depth chart. Yet, they waited until the fourth round to select two wide receivers, including Ayomanor. The former Stanford star was the only wide receiver to give Travis Hunter trouble last season. He should quickly turn into Cam Ward’s No. 2 wide receiver.

Pick 20.08 – Adonai Mitchell (WR – IND)

Unfortunately, the Colts’ passing attack will likely be one of the worst in the NFL this upcoming season, with Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones under center. However, Indianapolis will likely draft a new quarterback early in next year’s NFL Draft. While Mitchell likely has little value this season, don’t be surprised if he has a third-year breakout in 2026 when Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. could be playing elsewhere.

Pick 21.03 – Keenan Allen (WR – FA)

I finally broke my one rule after 20 picks in this mock draft. Allen is the only player on the wrong side of 30 that I drafted, turning 33 years old last month. Yet, the veteran played well last season, ending the year as the WR35, averaging 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Hopefully, he lands in a fantasy-friendly situation like with the Dallas Cowboys, allowing me to flip him for future rookie picks.

Pick 22.08 – Ollie Gordon II (RB – MIA)

Gordon was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after a disappointing final college season. However, he was once one of the top running backs in college football. While De’Von Achane is the Dolphins’ clear-cut starter, he has dealt with injuries in his career. Gordon only has to beat out Jaylen Wright for the No. 2 role, putting him an injury to Achane away from starting on a fantasy-friendly offense.

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.