The long weekend is a good time for dynasty league startup drafts. There are basically endless settings you can use for your league, but this mock draft is a 12-team, 0.5 PPR, superflex dynasty league with 25 roster spots and done using FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Simulator. We were randomly assigned the seventh overall pick in the snake draft.

 

Round 1

1.01: Patrick Mahomes, KC QB

1.02: Christian McCaffrey, CAR RB

1.03: Jonathan Taylor, IND RB

1.04: Saquon Barkley, NYG RB

1.05: Dalvin Cook, MIN RB

1.06: Josh Allen, BUF QB

1.07: Derrick Henry, TEN RB

1.08: Kyler Murray, ARI QB

1.09: Davante Adams, GB WR

1.10: Alvin Kamara, NO RB

1.11: Tyreek Hill, KC WR

1.12: D.K. Metcalf, SEA WR

 

Thoughts: With Josh Allen going right before our first pick, this selection was pretty easy. Derrick Henry isn’t built like most humans, and his workload long-term isn’t a concern for me.

 

Round 2

2.01: Dak Prescott, DAL QB

2.02: Justin Herbert, LAC QB

2.03: Justin Jefferson, MIN WR

2.04: A.J. Brown, TEN WR

2.05: Aaron Jones, GB RB

2.06: Nick Chubb, CLE RB

2.07: Stefon Diggs, BUF WR

2.08: Lamar Jackson, BAL QB

2.09: Deshaun Watson, HOU QB

2.10: Cam Akers, LAR RB

2.11: Russell Wilson, SEA QB

2.12: D’Andre Swift, DET RB

 

Thoughts: Nick Chubb is just 25 years old and should have a handful of elite seasons left. Henry and Chubb could give this squad the advantage at running back many weeks for 2021 and for the next few years.

 

Round 3

3.01: George Kittle, SF TE

3.02: Travis Kelce, KC TE

3.03: J.K. Dobbins, BAL RB

3.04: DeAndre Hopkins, ARI WR

3.05: Calvin Ridley, ATL WR

3.06: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC RB

3.07: Najee Harris, PIT RB

3.08: Austin Ekeler, LAC RB

3.09: Ezekiel Elliott, DAL RB

3.10: Antonio Gibson, WAS RB

3.11: Miles Sanders, PHI RB

3.12: Joe Burrow, CIN QB

 

Thoughts: Three running backs in a row to start things off was not expected, but Najee Harris was just sitting here in middle of the third round. The Steelers clearly have huge plans for the first-round pick from Alabama.

 

Round 4

4.01: Joe Mixon, CIN RB

4.02: D.J. Moore, CAR WR

4.03: CeeDee Lamb, DAL WR

4.04: Darren Waller, LV TE

4.05: Aaron Rodgers, GB QB

4.06: Chris Godwin, TB WR

4.07: Chris Carson, SEA RB

4.08: Trevor Lawrence, JAX QB

4.09: Travis Etienne, JAX RB

4.10: Jalen Hurts, PHI QB

4.11: Michael Thomas, NO WR

4.12: Kyle Pitts, ATL TE

 

Thoughts: Looking ahead, I was expecting to go quarterback or tight end (Darren Waller or Kyle Pitts) here, but the board left Chris Godwin available. If not for some injuries last season, Godwin might be seen as consensus top-five dynasty receiver.

 

Round 5

5.01: Ja’Marr Chase, CIN WR

5.02: Terry McLaurin, WAS WR

5.03: Allen Robinson, CHI WR

5.04: Mark Andrews, BAL TE

5.05: Keenan Allen, LAC WR

5.06: Tee Higgins, CIN WR

5.07: Trey Lance, SF QB

5.08: Brandon Aiyuk, SF WR

5.09: Amari Cooper, DAL WR

5.10: Mike Evans, TB WR

5.11: Justin Fields, CHI QB

5.12: Jaylen Waddle, MIA WR

 

Thoughts: I was hoping for Jalen Hurts to drop here, but Trey Lance is a great option to settle for as a dual threat quarterback that can put up massive fantasy numbers in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

 

Round 6

6.01: Kenny Golladay, NYG WR

6.02: Diontae Johnson, PIT WR

6.03: Tua Tagovailoa, MIA QB

6.04: Ryan Tannehill, TEN QB

6.05: Kareem Hunt, CLE RB

6.06: DeVonta Smith, PHI WR

6.07: James Robinson, JAX RB

6.08: Courtland Sutton, DEN WR

6.09: Chase Claypool, PIT WR

6.10: Baker Mayfield, CLE QB

6.11: Julio Jones, ATL WR

6.12: JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT WR

 

Thoughts: Heisman winner DeVonta Smith is a very strong WR2 in dynasty leagues. Philadelphia might structure their passing game around him, so the target share potential is something to get excited about.

 

Round 7

7.01: Matthew Stafford, LAR QB

7.02: Carson Wentz, IND QB

7.03: Laviska Shenault, JAX WR

7.04: Cooper Kupp, LAR WR

7.05: David Montgomery, CHI RB

7.06: Tom Brady, TB QB

7.07: Matt Ryan, ATL QB

7.08: Tyler Boyd, CIN WR

7.09: Zach Wilson, NYJ QB

7.10: Kirk Cousins, MIN QB

7.11: Josh Jacobs, LV RB

7.12: Javonte Williams, DEN RB

 

Thoughts: This was the most heartbreaking part of the draft. Tom Brady was the target, but he went one pick before the 7.07. But Matt Ryan should have good football left in an offense that can still put up numbers. It was surprising to see Josh Jacobs still available, but I didn’t want to get left hanging at quarterback in the superflex format.

 

Round 8

8.01: Robert Woods, LAR WR

8.02: Jerry Jeudy, DEN WR

8.03: D.J. Chark, JAX WR

8.04: Myles Gaskin, MIA RB

8.05: Tyler Lockett, SEA WR

8.06: Trey Sermon, SF RB

8.07: Will Fuller, MIA WR

8.08: Odell Beckham Jr., CLE WR

8.09: Jared Goff, DET QB

8.10: Rondale Moore, ARI WR

8.11: Ronald Jones II, TB RB

8.12: Chase Dmonds, ARI RB

 

Thoughts: Not only is Trey Sermon an excellent fourth running back on the roster, but he could pair with Trey Lance as a formidable QB-RB duo in San Francisco long-term.

 

Round 9

9.01: Rashod Bateman, BAL WR

9.02: Damien Harris, NE RB

9.03: Terrace Marshall Jr., CAR WR

9.04: A.J. Dillon, GB RB

9.05: Deebo Samuel, SF WR

9.06: Adam Thielen, MIN WR

9.07: T.J. Hockenson, DET TE

9.08: Jarvis Landry, CLE WR

9.09: Michael Carter, NYJ RB

9.10: Corey Davis, NYJ WR

9.11: Gabriel Davis, BUF WR

9.12: Curtis Samuel, WAS WR

 

Thoughts: Adam Thielen might have been the pick here for a team that should compete for a title in 2021, but at least the tight end position is in good shape with T.J. Hockenson.

 

Round 10

10.01: Michael Pittman Jr., IND WR

10.02: Melvin Gordon, DEN RB

10.03: Denzel Mims, NYJ WR

10.04: Zack Moss, BUF RB

10.05: Jamison Crowder, NYJ WR

10.06: Daniel Jones, NYG QB

10.07: Brandin Cooks, HOU WR

10.08: Marquise Brown, BAL WR

10.09: Michael Gallup, DAL WR

10.10: Tony Pollard, DAL RB

10.11: Jalen Reagor, PHI WR

10.12: Leonard Fournette, TB RB

 

Thoughts: We aren’t sure if Trey Lance will start Year 1 for the Niners, and Daniel Jones will be a good value if he can make the leap with the added weapons around him. Ryan and Jones would be a capable QB-QB play for superflex.

 

Round 11

11.01: Nyheim Hines, IND RB

11.02: Raheem Mostert, SF RB

11.03: Noah Fant, DEN TE

11.04: Kenyan Drake, LV RB

11.05: James Conner, ARI RB

11.06: David Johnson, HOU RB

11.07: Henry Ruggs III, LV WR

11.08: DeVante Parker, MIA WR

11.09: Derek Carr, LV QB

11.10: Elijah Moore, NYJ WR

11.11: Dallas Goedert, PHI TE

11.12: Robby Anderson, CAR WR

 

Thoughts: We’ll see what happens, but Henry Ruggs III is probably devalued too much after a relatively disappointing rookie campaign. He can still become one of the game’s top deep threats. Mike Davis was also under strong consideration at this spot.

 

Round 12

12.01: Salvon Ahmed, MIA RB

12.02: Devin Singletary, BUF RB

12.03: Kadarius Toney, NYG WR

12.04: Mike Davis, ATL RB

12.05: Darius Slayton, NYG WR

12.06: Mike Gesicki, MIA TE

12.07: Hunter Henry, NE TE

12.08: Kenneth Gainwell, PHI RB

12.09: Taysom Hill, NO QB

12.10: Mac Jones, NE QB

12.11: Sam Darnold, CAR QB

12.12: Dyami Brown, WAS WR

 

Thoughts: Mike Gesicki easily could have been the pick over Hockenson a few rounds ago. He’s a nice value here.

 

Round 13

13.01: Darrel Henderson, LAR RB

13.02: Tarik Cohen, CHI RB

13.03: Irv Smith Jr., MIN TE

13.04: Lynn Bowden, MIA WR

13.05: Jonnu Smith, NE TE

13.06: Robert Tonyan, GB TE

13.07: Mike Williams, LAC WR

13.08: James White, NE RB

13.09: Baltimore Ravens D/ST

13.10: Alexander Mattison, MIN RB

13.11: Jameis Winston, NO QB

13.12: D’Wayne Eskridge, SEA WR

 

Thoughts: Justin Herbert has plenty of weapons to distribute the ball to, but this new Chargers coaching staff could have big plans for a touchdown-maker like Mike Williams.

 

Round 14

14.01: Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET WR

14.02: Phillip Lindsay, HOU RB

14.03: Evan Engram, NYG TE

14.04: Darnell Mooney, CHI WR

14.05: Gus Edwards, BAL RB

14.06: Antonio Brown, TB WR

14.07: Sony Michel, NE RB

14.08: Logan Thomas, WAS TE

14.09: Chubba Hubbard, CAR RB

14.10: Amari Rodgers, GB WR

14.11: Christian Kirk, ARI WR

14.12: Chicago Bears D/ST

 

Thoughts: Not that Antonio Brown is someone to rely on, but the upside is well worth it in middle of the draft.

 

Round 15

15.01: Parris Campbell Jr., IND WR

15.02: Cam Newton, NE QB

15.03: Jordan Love, GB QB

15.04: Tyler Higbee, LAR TE

15.05: Teddy Bridgewater, DEN QB

15.06: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT QB

15.07: Nelson Agholor, NE WR

15.08: Cole Kmet, CHI TE

15.09: Jimmy Garoppolo, SF QB

15.10: Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS QB

15.11: Donald Parham, LAC TE

15.12: Austin Hooper, CLE TE

 

Thoughts: As things stand, Nelson Agholor is the No. 1 wide receiver for the Patriots. That could lead to surprising numbers for a talented player.

 

Round 16

16.01: New Orleans D/ST

16.02: Rashaad Penny, SEA RB

16.03: Ke’Shawn Vaugh, TB RB

16.04: Jamaal Williams, DET RB

16.05: Zach Ertz, PHI TE

16.06: Marcus Mariota, LV QB

16.07: Le’Veon Bell, FA RB

16.08: Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST

16.09: Drew Lock, DEN QB

16.10: Elijah Mitchell, SF RB

16.11: J.D. McKissic, WAS RB

16.12: Gardner Minshew, JAX QB

 

Thoughts: Jimmy Garoppolo would have been Trey Lance insurance for 2021 if he was still available. Instead, it’s not a bad idea to bet on Marcus Mariota eventually becoming a starter again.

 

Round 17

17.01: Darrynton Evans, TEN RB

17.02: Los Angeles Rams D/ST

17.03: Bryan Edwards, LV WR

17.04: Mecole Hardman, KC WR

17.05: Marlon Mack, IND RB

17.06: Mitchell Trubisky, BUF QB

17.07: O.J. Howard, TB TE

17.08: Andy Dalton, CHI QB

17.09: Adam Trautman, NO TE

17.10: Gerald Everett, SE ATE

17.11: New England Patriots D/ST

17.12: Todd Gurley, FA RB

 

Thoughts: Coming off an Achilles injury, this is a long-term play selecting O.J. Howard. You can bet on the superb talent at this point in the draft.

 

Round 18

18.01: Jeff Wilson Jr., SF RB

18.02: Kyle Trask, TB QB

18.03: Davis Mills, HOU QB

18.04: Sterling Shepard, NYG WR

18.05: Buffalo Bills D/ST

18.06: Joshua Kelley, LAC RB

18.07: Marvin Jones Jr., JAX WR

18.08: Latavius Murray, NO RB

18.09: Benny Snell Jr., PIT RB

18.10: Rhamodre Stevenson, NE RB

18.11: Josh Palmer, LAC WR

18.12: Nico Collins, HOU WR

 

Thoughts: Joshua Kelley will have to win a role this summer, but he could be the “big back” the Chargers pair with Austin Ekeler.

 

Round 19

19.01: Kellen Mond, MIN QB

19.02: Hayden Hurst, ATL TE

19.03: Anthony Schwartz, CLE WR

19.04: San Francisco 49ers D/ST

19.05: Tyrod Taylor, HOU QB

19.06: Kerryon Johnson, PHI RB

19.07: Cole Beasley, BUF WR

19.08: La’Mical Perine, NYJ RB

19.09: Anthony McFarland, PIT RB

19.10: Wayne Gallman, SF RB

19.11: Duke Johnson Jr., FA RB

19.12: Blake Jarwin, DAL TE

 

Thoughts: Coming off an 82/967/4 line last year, Cole Beasley should be a reliable fantasy factor for an elite Bills offense this season.

 

Round 20

20.01: Dwayne Haskins, PIT QB

20.02: T.Y. Hilton, IND WR

20.03: Boston Scott, PHI RB

20.04: John Brown, LV WR

20.05: Nick Foles, CHI QB

20.06: Sammy Watkins, BAL WR

20.07: Preston Williams, MIA WR

20.08: Jermar Jefferson, DET RB

20.09: Kylin Hill, GB RB

20.10: Ty Johnson, NYJ RB

20.11: Tevin Coleman, NYJ RB

20.12: Giovani Benard, TB RB

 

Thoughts: Sammy Watkins wants to get back to the form that made him the No. 4 pick in the draft several years ago, and he’s reunited with offensive coordinator Greg Roman in Baltimore.

 

Round 21

21.01: Tylan Wallace, BAL WR

21.02: Cornell Powell, KC WR

21.03: K.J. Hamler, DEN WR

21.04: Anthony Miller, CHI WR

21.05: Van Jefferson, LAR WR

21.06: Justin Jackson, LAC RB

21.07: Rob Gronkowski, TB TE

21.08: Damien Williams, CHI RB

21.09: DeeJay Dallas, SEA RB

21.10: Mike Boone, DEN RB

21.11: Matt Breida, BUF RB

21.12: Ito Smith, FA RB

 

Thoughts: In Round 21, why not Rob Gronkowski? He wouldn’t be the first player to have a throwback season if he goes off this year, and he’s still just 32.

 

Round 22

22.01: Mark Ingram, HOU RB

22.02: Royce Freeman, DEN RB

22.03: Jerick McKinnon, KC RB

22.04: Allen Lazard, GB WR

22.05: Javian Hawkins, ATL RB

22.06: James Washington, PIT WR

22.07: N’Keal Harry, NE WR

22.08: Eno Benjamin, ARI RB

22.09: Justice Hill, BAL RB

22.10: Gerald Doaks, MIA RB

22.11: Larry Roundtree, KC RB

22.12: Carlos Hyde, JAX RB

 

Thoughts: This might not pay off in 2021, but James Washington can make plays on the outside for a team if and when he leaves a crowded Pittsburgh receiving corps.

 

Round 23

23.01: Tyler Johnson, TB WR

23.02: Keelan Cole, NYJ WR

23.03: Josh Reynolds, TEN WR

23.04: Marquez Stevenson, BUF WR

23.05: Tutu Atwell, LAR WR

23.06: Los Angeles Chargers D/ST

23.07: Tre’Quan Smith, NO WR

23.08: Jakobi Meyers, NE WR

23.09: Darrel Williams, KC RB

23.10: Eric Ebron, PIT TE

23.11: Emmanuel Sanders, BUF WR

23.12: Taylor Heinicke, WAS QB

 

Thoughts: Likely the No. 2 wide receiver in New Orleans, Tre’Quan Smith is an intriguing option this late in the startup draft.

 

Round 24

24.01: Devonta Freeman, FA RB

24.02: Malcolm Brown, MIA RB

24.03: Greg Zuerlein, DAL K

24.04: Khalil Herbert, CHI RB

24.05: Jack Doyle, IND TE

24.06: Washington Football Team D/ST

24.07: Jordan Howard, PHI RB

24.08: Jaret Patterson, WAS RB

24.09: Trayveon Williams, CIN RB

24.10: Wil Lutz, NO K

24.11: Rex Burkhead, NE RB

24.12: Samaje Perine, CIN RB

 

Thoughts: Ron Rivera should have this defense playing well for years.

 

Round 25

25.01: Justin Tucker, BAL K

25.02: Harrison Butker, KC K

25.03: Denver Broncos D/ST

25.04: Matt Prater, ARI K

25.05: Jake Elliott, PHI K

25.06: Mason Crosby, GB K

25.07: Daniel Carlson, LV K

25.08: Ka’imi Fairbairn, HOU K

25.09: Robbie Gould, SF K

25.10: Philadelphia Eagles D/ST

25.11: Graham Gano, NYG K

25.12: Stephen Gostkowski, TEN K

 

Thoughts: Daniel Carlson is a young, reliable kicker that just finished third among fantasy kickers last season.

 

Final Roster

QB: Trey Lance, SF

RB: Derrick Henry, TEN

RB: Nick Chubb, CLE

WR: Chris Godwin, TB

WR: DeVonta Smith, PHI

TE: T.J. Hockenson, DET

FLEX: Najee Harris, PIT

SFLEX: Matt Ryan, ATL

D/ST: Washington

K: Daniel Carlson

 

BE: Trey Sermon, SF RB

BE: Daniel Jones, NYG QB

BE: Henry Ruggs III, LV WR

BE: Mike Gesicki, MIA TE

BE: Mike Williams, LAC WR

BE: Antonio Brown, TB WR

BE: Nelson Agholor, NE WR

BE: Marcus Mariota, LV QB

BE: O.J. Howard, TB TE

BE: Joshua Kelley, LAC RB

BE: Cole Beasley, BUF WR

BE: Sammy Watkins BAL WR

BE: Rob Gronkowski, TB TE

BE: James Washington, PIT WR

BE: Tre’Quan Smith, NO WR

 

Final Thoughts

This team is a combination of win-now and build-for-the-future, which is ideally what you’ll be able to go for in a startup dynasty-league draft. Just follow your board and draft players you like, and you should be in great shape.