For the first time since 2024, we've got a dynasty startup underway in our Discord community format. And boy, how the startup landscape has shifted in that time!

As is our way, this league is replete with a cadre of killers for hire and industry/content guys. We've got Kyle Lesti on loan from PlayerProfiler, Matt "The Podfather" Kelley from RotoUnderworld, and a hand-picked assortment of house players that can keep those guys from getting too comfortable.

Without further ado, let's delve.

1st Round

Shockingly slow start on quarterbacks; in six previous startups we had never seen fewer than eight taken in the first round. For the players selecting in the back half of the first round, it made sense to float a QB by the time the board reached them — they knew a cornerstone QB1 would make it back around to them in the next round. But the push for the (recently) difference-making production of Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and JSN was too much for some of for most of the guys picking in the top half.

Despite being the only player over 30 taken in the first two rounds, Josh Allen manages to hang on to his 1.01 throne a little longer. Deserved, although for how much longer is anyone's guess; with Allen now the all-time leader in QB rushing TDs, we're officially in uncharted territory. Hard to quibble with Bijan Robinson at 2, although leaving an ascendant Drake Maye on the board to do it could age poorly. Ja'Marr Chase ekes out Smith-Njigba to be the first WR taken; could argue that one either way.

A consensus top 2 pick a year ago, Daniels sliding to 7 here is potentially tremendous value — if Dan Quinn can keep him out of harm's way. Should 'JD5' be permitted to suffer another serious injury in futility, Quinn will surely fall on his sword with great force. I hate to pick on Lamar Jackson, but heading toward his 30th birthday it's a hard pick to love; this could be the last startup cycle we see him running in the top 10. Puka Nacua sliding all the way to 9 is shockingly good value that may be the result of some off-the-field stuff.

While I myself am a big believer, Ashton Jeanty banging all the way to 10th overall after that rookie season will understandably give many pause. Hard to call Amon-Ra St. Brown a reach anywhere outside the top 10, but even at the tail end of the first round it felt like he could have made it another couple of picks. Caleb Williams surprisingly bumps bigger names at the position out altogether to close out the first round; zesty.

All in all, exactly the kind of rock-solid action I would have expected from a grizzled group of veterans. Some of their 1st round rationale below.

Josh Allen at 1.01. Any hesitiation there? He did turn 30 last week.
Schoell: "I think in a superflex league he's a no doubter, followed by a younger 2nd QB to take the reins down the line. Even though he's mobile I think his arm [allows him] to settle down and stay around for awhile."

You went Chase as the WR1. Any temptation to go with JSN, or one of the QBs?
MadScientist: "I almost wanted to reach for Joe Burrow. I don't like the idea of gambling on Jayden Daniels' health, or the possibility of Lamar Jackson regression. I did consider JSN, but I figured if I can't get Joe Burrow I'll just take his top weapon."

Was Smith-Njigba the pick no matter what, or were you hoping Chase or Maye had made it to you there instead?
JawnVito: "Loved being in the 5 spot because I was absolutely fine [with any of] those three. Didn't think I had a chance at Maye. Chase was the one I wanted over JSN just because more years of consistency being the top guy but happy as [heck] with JSN."

Jayden Daniels at 7, great value. You more pumped or nervous?
Tyler: "A bit of both. Daniels has a path to bounce back but the injuries and his surrounding cast are a legit concern. Washington at least on paper improved their defense which should help a bit. I just go back to his historic rookie season and believe he's capable of that again. He's only 25, so that made him the pick for me over Lamar and he has the same rushing upside."

You went Lamar at 8, the second oldest player in the 1st round (Allen). Did you consider any other players? If so, how seriously?
Gibbsy: "I was hoping one of the top 2 RBs or WRs would fall, but once I saw how the draft was going (fewer QBs, more skill position) I pivoted to QB. Tyler jumped on Jayden, but I like Lamar. He was the No. 4 overall pick by my rankings, so pick value was high."

"... Also I couldn't pick Caleb after talking so much [trash] about him yesterday."

Slight reach on St. Brown (although you wound up getting a slight stroke of luck with Burrow making it back to you anyway at 14). Was that a difficult pick at all?
Chungus: "The hardest part about my first round pick was passing on Caleb Williams. I had hoped he would fall to me in the 2nd, but I felt confident that if he didn't fall then Burrow would. I have St. Brown as my dynasty WR3, so it didn't feel like a reach for me at all."

2nd Round

The draft board continues to surprise. We had never seen an RB-RB open in any of the startups that use this format before, and yet we get not one but two here. The tepid mood on quarterbacks fully resolved coming back around: Ten are off the board in the first 24, directly in line with the historical average through the first two rounds.

The first TE off the board by a lot, the Bowers hype is officially 'to the moon'. The 'cut & paste' logic that he is Klint Kubiak's new JSN is reductive... but I can't say I particularly disagree. Joe Burrow has been a consensus top 6 pick for the last several startup cycles, so seeing him tumble all the way to 14 is pretty jarring. A lot of value in that pick.

Doubling down and then some, the Jeanty drafter pairs him with a running back touted every bit as highly as rookie Jeremiyah Love. Not having to think about the RB position for a few years does have its charms; in Dynastyland, there are a lot of teams that are one star running back away from being contenders.

The slide of the former consensus first rounders continues with Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert, both of whom are still foundational players at the format's most important position. Following up his 'don't mind if I do' value buy the round before, Tyler nabs a sliding Justin Jefferson that hasn't made an appearance outside the first round of startups since his rookie season.

Omarion Hampton is the first pick that really gives me pause; good, young player, but I don't have him consuming enough of this backfield to justify this capital short-term. For Trevor Lawrence the panic button has been turned off, but that is owing entirely to last year's seven-game close against almost exclusively bad defenses. To date, Lawrence owners have given the experience a positive review for approximately 1.5 of his 5 NFL seasons to date — he flat out should not have gone before the next two QBs taken.

Our first trade! With MadScientist looking to value hunt, Chungus obliges him by moving up from 3.11 to 2.09 in exchange for his 6th rounder, allowing him to pair Malik Nabers with St. Brown. The status of Nabers' knee has captivated the nation, but he was another guy running in the first round a year ago. If you're going to pony up for a big buy, a borderline Ja'Marr Chase clone is a guy worth the burn. Supporting cast warts and all, De'Von Achane quietly exits the board as the RB6. He's 24, could lead his team in receptions and has quietly processed 586 touches the last two seasons. That's rock solid.

Woobie comes out of his shoes to make Jaxson Dart the 10th quarterback taken, ahead of much more established options with a lot of football still in them. A lot of people are onboard with that valuation; I'm not. Last but certainly not least, last year's runaway TE1 comes off a whopping 11 picks behind Bowers. He is three years older, but regardless both players should have at least five years of excellent production left in them. Strong way to close out the second.

You passed over some big names to take Caleb Williams and Brock Bowers. How much conviction that you got the right guys?
Kyle Lesti: "Not sure there’s many bigger names than Brock Bowers. Pretty undeniable floor with the monster ceiling hooking up with a new QB at 23.5 years old.

'Caleb > Burrow' is definitely the bigger question here. I think Caleb’s ceiling is at least equal to that of Maye’s. And while Caleb is approaching his prime years, Burrow is more firmly within his prime. Burrow also has the injury history and is attached to a franchise that can’t seem to get out of their own way. I also can’t get the possibility of an Andrew Luck-type [early] exit out of my head, due to the frustrations stemming from the above stated factors. I knew Burrow would be selected immediately after, but I’m confident in the picks."

Gibbs-Hampton gives you one of two RB-RB starts in the league. Those are also the only two RB-RB starts in FIDD history. What is it that made Hampton too tempting to pass up?
Boards: "Youth, system, and a disparity in what I consider staple RBs for dynasty. I’ve also been a fan of him in general, so I’m biased. I know you don’t think as much of him, but we have a difference there. Cliff is coming soon so just wanted them locked in."

Lawrence over Mahomes in the 2nd is a pretty big vote of confidence. What drove that decision?
JawnVito: "Mahomes has [only] been slightly above average in terms of fantasy numbers the last few years. I feel like I get a younger guy who can produce in rushing points that might be lacking when compared to Mahomes, I really like what I saw from Lawrence in his first year in Liam Coen's offense. Him being a top 5 QB last year gives me confidence he can put up numbers near Mahomes', plus he’s 3-4 years younger. Lawrence ranked in the top 10 in downfield passing and I think that continues this year."
(Note: Prior to his ACL tear, Mahomes in 2025 also posted career highs in rushing yards and TDs.)

You hit the first trade up of the draft to go and get the sliding Malik Nabers. How good did that one feel?
Chungus: "That trade was honestly an unprompted offer that felt too good to pass up. Stacking St. Brown and Nabers together feels like a recipe for a true contender."

3rd Round

You got McBride a whopping 11 picks later than Bowers was selected, and you're the first team to lock up their QB2. Any concerns about waiting until potentiall the 4/5 turn to take your first RB and WR?
T. Schoell: "Not really. I was probably early on Bo, but through 2 years he’s been a top 15 fantasy scorer. [If I] pair that with the young talent on the board in the next couple rounds I'm good with that. Plus, some guys could fall to me while everybody else is catching up at TE and QB."

Mahomes plummets to you at 30th overall as the QB12(!). At a glance, huge value. Did it feel that way to you?
Boards: "It did. I took a while because I was a bit shocked that he was there for me. WRs were a consideration but we are in a bigger tier now so I figure I can get one on the way back, whereas I’d be punting QB [if I had passed on Mahomes] and I don’t like doing that."

Your second pick comes 27 spots after your first. How far in advance had you zeroed in on Egbuka as the pick there?
MadScientist: "Once Lamb finally went off the board grossly late (one pick before mine!), I decided I was going full throttle 'Productive Struggle'.

I knew then my target was gonna be Egbuka, come my next pick. I got a little worried he might get scooped up by Podfather, and even contemplated trading back up. But I decided to hold to my gameplan, and fortunately it worked out this time."

—This article is in progress, and will be updated periodically.