DLF Ultra-Flex Startup Draft Recap: Part One

Baker Mayfield

It was legendary coach John Wooden who said: “flexibility is the key to stability.” On the faux football gridiron, dynasty general managers are often hamstrung with roster decisions due to the minimum weekly starting lineup requirements of league settings.

Enter the DLF Ultra-Flex Dynasty league. In this dynasty format, teams are not required to start any specific positions per week and could theoretically play ten players at the same position (except quarterback where the maximum is two) if they so choose. Tight ends are given an extra point per reception (2 PPR) and passing touchdowns are worth six points.

To give our DLF subscribers an up-close and personal look at one of these drafts, I felt it was my professional obligation to join one of these leagues (at least that’s what I told my wife) and document my selections and rationale. I’ll give a breakdown of my reasoning at the time from notes as well as hindsight analysis a week after the draft was complete.

The Draft

1.11 Russell Wilson, QB SEA

Eight of the first ten picks were quarterbacks as both the superflex format and six-point passing touchdowns make securing the position a must. For a moment, I considered Kyle Pitts or George Kittle, but wanted to grab an elite QB who could at least play for the next three years at a top-ten level.

Hindsight Analysis: A week later and I’m still happy with my decision to draft Wilson. In this scoring format, the Seahawks franchise signal-caller has finished in the top five at the position in three of the last four seasons.

2.02 Kyle Pitts, TE ATL

I told everyone in our league group chat I was going with a YOLO pick, and a few caught on I was planning on taking the Atlanta rookie. I received a few offers, but Pitts’ trade value in a TE Premium is literally the moon.

Hindsight Analysis: Normally, I would have major hesitation spending a top 15 startup pick on a player who has yet to play a down of professional football. Yet, at 20 years young with overall top-five draft capital, he could be a game-changer for years to come in this format. There are a few league-mates who are lusting after Pitts, and I’ll certainly trade him if one sends me a Godfather offer.

3.11 Stefon Diggs, WR BUF

As I’m not required to start any running backs, I’m leaving a few studs (Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb) on the board. Diggs was the highest-rated wide receiver on my board and has top-five upside for at least the next few years.

Hindsight Analysis: While it killed the lifelong Browns fan in me to pass on Chubb, I still believe it was the correct choice. In dynasty leagues, running back values can fall off a cliff in just a year’s time. Wide receivers on the other hand offer a much better return on investment long-term.

4.02 Baker Mayfield, QB CLE

I put the pick on the trading block, but none of the offers were good enough to move down. I did not want another 30-plus year old QB and it was hard to pass on Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, or Ryan Tannehill. Mayfield is the ideal QB2 for superflex with a safe weekly floor and QB1 upside. Also, with the way the position flew off the board in round one, I couldn’t risk the mediocre trash heap I’d likely see in 20 picks.

Hindsight Analysis: The 2017 Heisman winner was QB7 during the last six weeks of the season, outscoring both Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. The Browns signal-caller is entering his first professional season with the same offensive coaching staff.

5.11 Michael Thomas, WR NO

First, I would not feel comfortable at all with any of the above as my QB2. The Mayfield choice was the right one 20 picks ago.

While I’m looking to secure another top-ten TE in this premium scoring (plus both folks drafting after me don’t have one), I’m not passing up Thomas at 5.11. Yes, he’s coming off a major injury, has questions at QB, blah blah. One of my league mates replied: “some of these values are nuts.” This was the virtual equivalent of me running up to the podium.

Hindsight Analysis: I still love the value of snagging Thomas this late in the draft.

6.02 Dallas Goedert, TE PHI

With Noah Fant going the pick before, wanted to grab Goedert here in a TE-Premium. Six teams don’t have a tight end so waiting was not an option. Some league mates appear to be imploring a zero tight end strategy.

Hindsight Analysis: This is the selection I regret the most a week removed from the draft. I’ll discuss this more in the overall draft recap, but the run on tight ends I expected to happen after this pick never materialized. If I had Doc Brown’s DeLorean, Allen Robinson or Jerry Jeudy would have been the pick.

7.11 Matt Ryan, QB ATL

In terms of long-term value, Ryan is a risky QB2 but makes a great high-upside QB3. I was debating either Courtland Sutton or Laviska Shenault, but quarterbacks are way too valuable to me in superflex to risk him getting scooped up in the next two picks. Hopefully, one will be available for me at 8.02.

Hindsight Analysis: (Heavy sigh) As you’ll see below, I should have waited until 8.02 to pull the trigger on Matty Ice. However, I ALWAYS want three legitimate starting quarterbacks in a superflex league.

8.02 Rashod Bateman, WR BAL

Both Sutton and Shenault – who I’d considered in round seven – went back-to-back. I considered Kareem Hunt for a quick second, but I’m holding to my strategy of not spending high draft capital on RBs unless it’s at a substantial value. Kenny Golladay, Robert Woods, Julio Jones, Cooper Kupp, and Tyler Lockett were all under consideration, but I really wanted a younger WR as my squad is already full of receivers in their late 20s. I love Bateman’s collegiate profile and believe he’s the immediate WR1 in Baltimore.

Hindsight Analysis: This was the first, but certainly not the last time I was sniped in this draft. I see Bateman as a nice pivot from Sutton and Shenault. He might not be a consistent dynasty WR2 until next season, but I don’t need him to produce top 25 numbers immediately on my roster.

9.11 Tyler Boyd, WR CIN

I was planning on ending my running back strike by selecting Kareem Hunt or Myles Gaskin. Unfortunately, both were sniped five and one (!) pick before I was on the clock. Instead, I went best available and that’s Boyd. Boyd has seen his value crater since the Bengals spent a top-five pick on Ja’Marr Chase. I still see the veteran as the possession receiver on a Cincinnati team devoid of a capable tight end.

Hindsight Analysis: I’m still a believer in Boyd and will acquire him at the right price whenever possible. In what should be a high-volume passing offense, I’m acquiring a player with weekly top 25 upside at a WR4 cost.

10.02 Chase Edmonds, RB ARI

James Robinson or Chase Edmonds? I was leaning Robinson for a minute, but his competition for touches in Jacksonville is a real concern for me. Unlike his Jaguar counterpart, the Cardinals did NOT spend any significant draft capital at the position. Kenyan Drake had a 62% opportunity share in 2020 and Edmonds should get the first shot at the lead role in Arizona’s high volume offense. The team signed James Conner in free agency, but he looked to be running in quicksand last season.

Hindsight Analysis: It was time to break the running back drought with Edmonds. I’ll get more into this in the overall recap/strategy section, but with the ultimate weekly roster flexibility I’m looking to target running backs who can benefit my team for just the upcoming season. Edmonds is in the final year of his rookie deal and his long-term dynasty value is a question mark despite a great opportunity in 2021.

11.11 Hunter Henry, TE NE

As has been the case for the last few rounds, targets Henry Ruggs and Damien Harris were scooped up. In a TE-Premium, Henry is too good of a value here to ignore. Considered picking Jordan Love or Gabriel Davis and hopefully one is available in two picks.

Hindsight Analysis: After 130 picks in this draft, I’ll happily select my third top-12 tight end in this format. Put me in the camp who believes Henry is massively undervalued right now. Yes, having to share the position with Jonnu Smith limits his upside, but the former Charger has accomplished something the last two seasons Smith has never done… Finish in the top 12 at the position. Henry is the most talented receiving option in New England and has top ten upside this season.

12.02 Gabriel Davis, WR BUF

While I’m not intentionally trying to have a Buffalo WR stack, Davis fits my target of a young receiver (22) with upside. Thought about going Jordan Love here, but a fourth quarterback didn’t seem like a priority.

Hindsight Analysis: I wanted to inject some youth into my receiving room, but Davis also adds NFL experience. The 2020 fourth-round draft pick became a reliable weapon for Josh Allen (14-217-3) while veteran John Brown was on IR from week 12-16. Buffalo signing Emmanuel Sanders hurts Davis’ value in the short-term, but I’m still bullish his role will continue to grow in the next few seasons.

13.11 Nyheim Hines, RB IND

Was targeting Russell Gage, Adam Trautman, and Jakobi Meyers but they were all heartbreakingly scooped up within five picks of mine. Yet, Hines is a fantastic consolation prize. He might be one of the most underrated running backs in fantasy football. The NC State product finished third in the NFL at his position in targets (76) in 2020 while finishing as RB18. There’s no reason for the 24-year-old veteran to continue to be the Colts’ passing-down back and is the main reason I’m not spending a first-round pick on Jonathan Taylor. Hines will be a strong weekly flex option in this Ultra-Flex format.

Hindsight Analysis: Sniped once again! Hines fits my profile at the position of a running back who will hold weekly value for the 2021 season, but with long-term question marks as an unrestricted free agent in 2022. He’s a hidden PPR gem who I’ll be targeting late in redraft this season.

14.02 Tyler Higbee, TE LAR

In TE-Premium scoring, Higbee is a better option than any of the available running backs or receivers. With Gerald Everett in Seattle, Higbee has the position all to himself with a significant quarterback upgrade.

Hindsight Analysis: The Rams tight end disappointed dynasty GMs in 2020 finishing outside of the top 12 (TE18) at his position. Higbee should have a bounceback season in 2021 and offers the short-term upside needed on my roster. While this could be hard for some to fathom, Kyle Pitts might not produce at an elite level in his rookie season. My 14th-round selection should work as a great stopgap.

Conclusion

Roster through 14 rounds:

QB: Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield, Matt Ryan
RB: Chase Edmonds. Nyheim Hines
WR: Stefon Diggs, Michael Thomas, Rashod Bateman, Tyler Boyd, Gabriel Davis
TE: Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert, Hunter Henry, Tyler Higbee

In part two, I will conclude the last 14 rounds of the draft and do my overall strategy/analysis on the format. What positions do I need to address in the back nine of the draft? Do you agree with my decision to punt on the running back position? Are you thinking of joining one of these leagues (do it!)? Let me know in the comments!

You can join a DLF Ultra-Flex Dynasty League here: https://safeleaguesfantasy.com

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Josh Brickner

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Josh has been playing fantasy football since 1995 when he was 10 years old helping his grandfather. Josh played only in redraft leagues until recently when someone told him dynasty fantasy football could feed his addiction year round. Now he’s hooked! Outside of fantasy football, Josh loves having his heart broken by Cleveland professional sports teams, quenching his thirst for travel with his wife, and taking long walks with his four-legged best friend Roosevelt. Give him a follow on Twitter.