Fantasy Football Dynasty

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FFPC Dynasty Startup Recap

Early September is obviously redraft season, right?

What’s the deal with dynasty content landing in Week 1.

Well … it’s always dynasty season

So I jumped into a $250 superflex dynasty league on FFPC and am sharing the full startup draft below …

The Setup

The lineup and scoring follow most of the usual FFPC rules. It’s PPR scoring for all but the TEs, who get 1.5 points per reception (TE premium).

The starting lineup:

• QB
• RB
• RB
• WR
• WR
• TE
• Flex (RB/WR/TE)
• Superflex (QB/RB/WR/TE)
• K
• DST

It’s a 20-round draft, with annual rookie drafts to follow. And if you’re interested in adding one more league (or two) before the season kicks off, you can still find available teams in the FFPC dynasty lobby – starting at $100.

The Dynasty Startup Draft

Note that this draft began in late July – right around the start of training camp. It completed by mid-August.

Perhaps it would have been nicer for me to get this together earlier. But now you can see just how quickly perceived player values change – even in dynasty.

Note how long Brock Purdy stays on the board. And how many RBs got drafted that have since failed to make an active roster.

And see whether you think my selection of a certain since-traded QB was a mistake …

Round 1

1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
4. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
5. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
6. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
7. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
8. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
11. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
12. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Round 2

1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns
2. Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
3. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
4. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
6. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
7. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
8. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
9. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
10. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
11. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
12. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Let’s put these first two rounds together, because they certainly worked in tandem to decide my picks.

I knew I wanted at least one QB at this turn. Should I have paired Dak Prescott with his No. 1 WR instead? Maybe. But I expect that Watson still has more fantasy upside than Prescott. And I’m not especially interested in stacking teammates for a lineup-setting single league.

I wouldn’t say I’m avoiding QB-WR stacks, just not targeting them the way I would in a tournament or best ball setup.

Round 3

1. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
3. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
5. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
6. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
7. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
8. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
9. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
10. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
11. Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
12. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

This is a good spot to say that I treat the FFPC dynasty format more like a “keeper” league.

What’s the difference? We could quibble over the details, but here’s my view:

Dynasty signals to me carrying over a large roster year to year. There’s incentive to stashing players you don’t expect to help right away – and who might never pay off – just in case they do hit in a year or two.

Keeper signals carrying fewer players year to year. There’s at least a bit more focus on succeeding this season vs. projecting each player’s long-term value.

What Makes FFPC Dynasty Different?

The FFPC cuts rosters down to 16 between seasons, and you’re required to include a kicker and a defense among those 16.

So that’s 14 players rolling year to year. And then there are the payouts.

Cash prizes go to the top two seeds at the end of the regular season, and then the top three finishers at the end of the playoffs. So there’s even more incentive to fielding a good team in any given season vs. trying to rebuild – at least in my mind.

How That Changes Drafting

I bring that up here because it helps explain why I’d favor Kupp over some younger wideouts still available. I’m focused more on year-to-year success than ultimate long-term value.

That said, being 30 doesn’t mean Kupp is bumping up against retirement. His contract runs through 2026, and that final season is currently the first time the Rams could get out without taking on at least $17 million in dead cap.

Don’t let Kupp’s current hamstring injury disguise the likelihood that he remains helpful (and maybe excellent) for at least a couple more years.

Kupp aside, FFPC “rookie” drafts also include any veterans not on rosters. So it’s easier here to restock a roster than what you’ll find in a more typical dynasty league.

Round 4

1. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
3. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
4. Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
5. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
6. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
7. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
8. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
9. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
10. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
11. Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
12. D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears

Knowing that I could get the younger Higgins around the same turn made it even easier to draft Kupp.

I thought about a second QB at this stage and might draft it differently today. Kenny Pickett and Jordan Love, for example, have generated buzz and played well in preseason since this draft happened.

Both left the board before my next turn.

Round 5

1. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
3. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
4. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
6. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
8. Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
9. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
10. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos
11. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
12. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Round 6

1. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
2. Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
3. Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos
4. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens
5. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
6. Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
7. George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
9. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
10. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
11. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
12. Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers

I traded out of Round 5. You can see the full details at the bottom of this article. In short: Someone offered me a significant move up later for minimal moves down here.

I’m not excited about Wilson, but I also don’t see much separation between him and the rest of the QBs around the 5-6 turn. So I was fine taking whichever guy fell.

Dobbins felt like a shot worth taking as my RB1 at this stage.

Round 7

1. Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
2. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
3. Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
4. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
5. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
9. Jahan Dotson, WR, Washington Commanders
10. Michael Pittman, WR, Indianapolis Colts
11. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
12. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 8

1. De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
3. Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans
4. Darren Waller, TE, New York Giants
5. Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
7. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
8. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
9. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
10. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
11. Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
12. Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints

No pick in Round 7 and another slight move down in Round 8 via the second – and final – trade I made in this startup draft.

I’ll gladly buy the dynasty discount right now on Burks, who hasn’t had a chance to show his real NFL upside. He arrived off a dynamic college career and via a Round 1 pick the Titans traded A.J. Brown to acquire.

Elsewhere in this round: Note that Brock Purdy came off the board as the 26th QB. He’s not getting close to that level if you draft today. And he probably shouldn’t have even then. 

I’d rather have him than Russell Wilson, in hindsight.

Round 9

1. Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
2. Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns
3. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
4. Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings
5. Evan Engram, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
6. D’Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
7. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
8. David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
9. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
10. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
11. Elijah Moore, WR, Cleveland Browns
12. Dalvin Cook, RB, New York Jets

Round 10

1. Trey Lance, QB, Dallas Cowboys
2. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
3. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
4. AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers
5. Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders
6. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
7. Marvin Mims, WR, Denver Broncos
8. Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears
9. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
10. Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
11. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

This move down comes as part of the previous trade, with Pick 9.12 becoming 10.02. And I made a bad selection – right before a good one.

Njoku felt like a win as the TE12 in this draft. It still feels that way. And I like pairing the TE with my top QB, because that’s a more TD-reliant position for fantasy scoring than WR is.

The Other Pick

At the time, I figured Lance:

1. Still had a shot to win the 49ers job.
2. Would otherwise get traded to a spot with opportunity.

A month later: Neither has happened.

That Dallas was able to get him for just a fourth-round pick says the entire league shrugged at Lance’s availability.

No team (apparently) thought it was worth a third-round pick to pay the cheaper half of Lance’s rookie contract, get a fifth-year option, and see if he could develop into a starter.

That tells me he’s not likely to become any team’s “guy.” At any point.

I’ll hope for an opportunity to sell Lance at some point in this superflex league.

Round 11

1. Greg Dulcich, TE, Denver Broncos
2. Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
3. Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers
4. Chig Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans
5. Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
7. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
8. Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
9. Desmond Ridder, QB, Atlanta Falcons
10. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
11. Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders
12. Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans

Round 12

1. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Commanders
2. Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
3. Skyy Moore, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans
5. Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers
6. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
7. Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
8. Samaje Perine, RB, Denver Broncos
9. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
10. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
11. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans
12. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

I reached this turn with two RBs rostered (Rachaad White via trade) and all other starting spots covered. If I were drafting today, I’d have probably taken Luke Musgrave at this turn. Of course, he probably wouldn’t make it this far anymore.

The upside of Spears, though, looks very enticing – for however long his knee holds up. And Gibson works as a temporary lineup option. We’ll see if he can earn a meaningful second NFL contract.

Round 13

1. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, New England Patriots
2. Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills
3. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
4. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Carolina Panthers
5. Rashaad Penny, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
6. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Jamal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints
8. Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
9. Hendon Hooker, QB, Detroit Lions
10. Zach Evans, RB, Los Angeles Rams
11. Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
12. Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Round 14

1. Jelani Woods, TE, Indianapolis Colts
2. Damien Harris, RB, Buffalo Bills
3. Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers
4. Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
5. Israel Abanikanda, RB, New York Jets
6. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
7. San Francisco 49ers DST
8. John Metchie, WR, Houston Texans
9. Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
10. Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12. Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

This was a fun turn, at which I made three straight Jared Smola picks. All three are upside athletes. Toney and Moore are hurt by disappointing 2022 campaigns. Woods will get a delayed start to his second season, thanks to a hamstring injury that has landed him on IR.

Round 15

1. Devin Singletary, RB, Houston Texans
2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
3. Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
4. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
6. Philadelphia Eagles DST
7. Dallas Cowboys DST
8. Evan Hull, RB, Indianapolis Colts
9. Jalin Hyatt, WR, New York Giants
10. Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals
11. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
12. Noah Fant, TE, Seattle Seahawks

Round 16

1. Hayden Hurst, TE, Carolina Panthers
2. Cedrick Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
3. Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
4. Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens
5. New England Patriots DST
6. Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams
7. Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
8. Buffalo Bills DST
9. Irv Smith, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
10. New York Jets DST
11. Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs
12. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, Miami Dolphins

Back-to-back TEs give me four on this TE-premium roster.

I like Fant quite a bit as a dynasty buy right now. The former first-round pick is in the final year of his rookie contract, freeing him to leave Seattle’s frustrating TE rotation in March.

He’ll be just 26 at that point and still the guy who was an electric prospect for the position.

Hurst is at least a decent lineup option over the next two years. Nothing exciting.

Round 17

1. Mike Gesicki, TE, New England Patriots
2. Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears
3. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
4. Daniel Carlson, K, Las Vegas Raiders
5. Kareem Hunt, RB, Free Agent
6. Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Younghoe Koo, K, Atlanta Falcons
8. Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets
9. Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints
10. Baltimore Ravens DST
11. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Chicago Bears
12. Pierre Strong, RB, Cleveland Browns

Round 18

1. Eric Gray, RB, New York Giants
2. Leonard Fournette, RB, Free Agent
3. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
5. Justyn Ross, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
6. Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
7. Evan McPherson, K, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Deneric Prince, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
9. Tyler Bass, K, Buffalo Bills
10. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
11. Pittsburgh Steelers DST
12. Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Round 19

1. Jake Elliott, K, Philadelphia Eagles
2. Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts
3. Josh Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
4. Tyler Scott, WR, Chicago Bears
5. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
6. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
7. Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
8. K.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings
9. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens
10. DeWayne McBride, RB, Minnesota Vikings
11. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
12. Brandon McManus, K, Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 20

1. Denver Broncos DST
2. Zonovan Knight, RB, Detroit Lions
3. New Orleans Saints DST
4. Greg Zuerlein, K, New York Jets
5. Greg Joseph, K, Minnesota Vikings
6. Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings
7. Deuce Vaughn, RB, Dallas Cowboys
8. Cleveland Browns DST
9. Los Angeles Chargers DST
10. Jason Myers, K, Seattle Seahawks
11. Brett Maher, K, Los Angeles Rams
12. Jacoby Brissett, QB, Washington Commanders

I have no strong feelings about any of the picks in this range. Obviously had to fill my kicker and DST slots, and I’d recommend saving those until the very end.

It’s worth noting here that FFPC rules won’t let you take more than three QBs in your startup draft. I get the motivation, but I also wish that limit weren’t in place for a superflex draft.

Honestly, I forgot about that setting until after I had selected Lance as my QB3 – and might not have drafted him had I remembered.

Let my folly remind you to make sure you know your league’s rules before you draft.

My Dynasty Trades

This league made 27 trades before the end of the startup draft, often including at least one of three particularly active managers.

I’m not huge on trading during a startup draft but am always open to offers. Here are the two I accepted …

Dynasty Trade No. 1

Give:

• Pick 5.12
• Pick 6.01
• Pick 17.12

Get:

• Pick 6.03
• Pick 6.04
• Pick 13.11

I knew I wanted my second QB as the end of Round 5 approached. But there wasn’t much separating a group that included Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Russell Wilson. I also didn’t have a specific target for 6.01.

Knowing I’d still get one of those QBs, I had little trouble accepting the modest move down for a four-round climb later in the draft.

Dynasty Trade No. 2

Give:

• Pick 7.12
• Pick 8.01
• Pick 9.12

Get: 

• Rachaad White
• Pick 8.03
• Pick 10.02

As you saw above, White went at Pick 7.06. It was an autopick that I’m not sure the other manager actually wanted. Diontae Johnson wound up going 7.12. He and White currently hold exactly the same value in our PPR dynasty trade value chart.

Same deal with the picks. There’s obviously some value loss in moving down two spots on each pick involved here. But it’s no meaningful loss.

With three WRs, two QBs, and one RB already rostered when this offer arrived, I decided to take a shot on White’s upside as my RB2 in a format that starts as many RBs as WRs. I felt good about the WRs and TEs I’d still have access to later (and each worked out).

If our 2023 Breakout Player hits, he’ll look like a steal by the end of this season.

My Roster

Here’s what I’ve got heading into the season:

QB

Deshaun Watson
Russell Wilson
Trey Lance

RB

J.K. Dobbins
Rachaad White
Tyjae Spears
Antonio Gibson
Eric Gray

WR

CeeDee Lamb
Cooper Kupp
Tee Higgins
Treylon Burks
Kadarius Toney
Rondale Moore

TE

David Njoku
Jelani Woods
Noah Fant
Hayden Hurst

K & DST

Who cares

Want More Dynasty Strategy?

Are you new to dynasty fantasy football? Experienced but looking to sharpen your skills?

Check out this short video for some keys to dynasty victory. And you can dig even deeper with this guide to Dynasty Strategy.

Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.