Welcome to the prime dynasty fantasy football season. These are the months that separate the casuals from the die-hards. So all of you Bruce Willis’ out there, thank you for checking out my work in March.
Whether you are actively preparing for a startup draft or want to read dynasty analysis on some of your favourite players, I have you covered. In this article, I am going to outline some key pieces that you can build your lineup around. In true startup fashion, I will start from the top of the draft and work down, referencing the current dynasty average draft position (ADP) from Draft Sharks.
- 2026 NFL Draft Guide
- 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
- Best Fantasy Football Tools
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
Dynasty Fantasy Football Startup Targets
Under-Valued Cornerstones
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LVR) | Pick 18 (2.6 ADP)
Jumping into round two, we find names such as Drake London, George Pickens, Jonathan Taylor and De’Von Achane. With only Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs off the board, I view Ashton Jeanty as the next young running back you can anchor the position with.
As good as Taylor and Achane are, they both have questions around their offenses. In Taylor’s case, he is also creeping up in age, entering his age-27 season. Although Jeanty also has question marks, he is two years younger than Achane and is built to be a true NFL workhorse back.
Jeanty’s rookie season could be taken two ways. Overall, it was lackluster, but if you watched the tape, he showcased all the traits that made him the sixth overall pick in 2025. With Klint Kubiak now taking over as the head coach and (presumably) Fernando Mendoza under center, this team will have a completely new feel.
Even on last year’s dysfunctional team, Jeanty finished as the fantasy RB13. If Kubiak can bring this team back to average, we will have a 22-year-old RB1 that won’t make it out of the first round of future startup drafts.
If you started your draft with a stud receiver, such as Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Amon-Ra St. Brown, that is a helluva young tandem with Jeanty. You could also make a similar case for Omarion Hampton at the back of the third round.
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI) | Pick 49 (5.1 ADP)
We’re only two years removed from Rome Odunze being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Touted as one of the big three receivers in that draft class, alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, Odunze has the size and skill to be a dominant outside receiver on an up-and-coming Bears team.
With Ben Johnson calling the shots for the uber-talented Caleb Williams, it’s no surprise you want pieces of this passing game. Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland, who are going six and 10 picks behind Odunze, respectively, are also worthy investments. However, Odunze should be further ahead of his teammates as he enters his third season.
In his first two seasons, Odunze has not produced to the high standards fantasy managers had hoped for. However, his first season was a mess with Matt Eberflus as his head coach. Last year, with Johnson taking over, he started the season as the WR3 over the first four weeks.
This production had a steep drop-off before Odunze was injured and never fully recovered. We can only play the “excuse game” for so long, but seeing his elite start to the season should give managers confidence that better production is coming.
Another offseason learning Johnson’s offense means the rubber meets the road for the young wideout. If you can get a talented young receiver on a promising team in the fifth round, that just sounds like a good investment. Don’t be surprised if Odunze becomes a second-round startup pick entering 2027.
Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE) | Pick 64 (6.4 ADP)
The Browns are desperate for talent on offense. However, they seemingly hit a home run selecting Quinshon Judkins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The rookie back had an impressive campaign before dislocating his ankle in Week 16 against Buffalo. Thankfully, he is on the mend and should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season.
Despite an anemic offensive environment last season, Judkins saw double-digit carries in 12 of his 13 full games. Although he lacked efficiency, Judkins showcased his hard-nosed running ability and even flashed as a receiver.
Unfortunately, the Browns are set up for another season at the bottom of the league. However, after this season, they will be out of Deshaun Watson‘s contract and can potentially start making progress towards a winning season.
The Browns are not an offense you want to rely on. However, this team loves to run the ball, and Judkins is the perfect back for AFC North football. The offense may keep him from top-end running back production, but his usage should make him a locked-in RB2 for years to come. I believe he is a perfect RB2 to leave a startup with.
Age is Wisdom… and Production
DJ Moore (WR – CHI) | Pick 94 (8.10 ADP)
Davante Adams (WR – LAR) | Pick 96 (8.12 ADP)
Terry McLaurin (WR – WSH) | Pick 101 (9.5 ADP)
These three receivers are going at the end of the eighth/start of the ninth round. I am grouping these three because this is the section of the draft where aging players become valuable. What’s often forgotten in startup drafts is that winning now is just as good as winning later. Someone is going to win the first season, and these aging veterans can push a team over the line.
We saw that Davante Adams still has an elite ability to find the end zone. As long as Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay are cooking, there will be plenty of weekly upside for the future Hall of Fame receiver.
Terry McLaurin and DJ Moore do not carry that level of upside; however, they are both talented receivers who can consistently produce for fantasy. If Jayden Daniels returns to his rookie form, McLaurin will be the top target for a star young quarterback.
As for Moore, fantasy managers are desperately hoping he finds a new home. Whether this is reuniting with Joe Brady in Buffalo or helping Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas, there are paths for a bounce-back fantasy season.
If you have diligently prioritized youth up to this point, this is a great time to fill out your starting roster with players who can produce immediately and give your team an edge over your competition. I would rank them Adams/McLaurin/Moore.
Other names that fit (in no particular order) are Chris Godwin, Jauan Jennings, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Jakobi Meyers.
Upside Shots
One of the cheat codes to fantasy upside in dynasty is running backs. I’m not talking about the clear starters for their team, but rather the backups who can take an opportunity and become league winners.
With that in mind, here are a few shots going outside of the top 100 picks in startup drafts to target.
Blake Corum (RB – LAR) | Pick 110 (10.3 ADP)
Blake Corum started to break onto the scene last season. Splitting work with Kyren Williams, Corum had value as a FLEX play in fantasy. The highlight was a four-game stretch where he had five touchdowns and 328 rushing yards.
With Williams signed through 2028, Coum’s primary value is as a backup, instantly becoming a fringe RB1 if Williams were to miss time. There is also a chance that his role grows, and he may even sign elsewhere after his rookie contract. As a result, Corum is a great upside player to draft and hold in startups.
Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI) | Pick 113 (10.5 ADP)
Much like Blake Corum, Kyle Monangai worked his way into a committee role at the end of last season. Splitting work with veteran D’Andre Swift, Monangai flashed as an aggressive downhill runner who can gain the tough yards. Swift only has one more year on his current contract, potentially leaving Monangai as the Bears’ top back.
Unfortunately, it’s rare to see a seventh-round draft pick have that kind of role; however, it’s not unheard of (Isiah Pacheco is a good example). Whether Monangai gets this backfield to himself in the future or not, he has value as a weekly FLEX play and a clear backup to the undersized Swift.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX) | Pick 141 (12.9 ADP)
I am doing everything I can to leave startup drafts with Bhayshul Tuten. The 2025 fourth-round pick was a target for the current Jacksonville coaching staff. Being praised for his explosive playmaking and three-down skillset, Tuten has a path to high-end fantasy production.
Coming off a great season, it appears Travis Etienne will not return to Jacksonville. Although this is not guaranteed, his departure would leave Tuten as the top back on one of the league’s up-and-coming offences. If Etienne does return, Tuten would still hold value as a premier backup.
However, the potential that Tuten takes over as the lead back in Jacksonville makes him the perfect mix of upside and youth for dynasty startup drafts.
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