Navigating Your Dynasty Rookie Draft: Mid 1st
Editor’s note: Dynasty fantasy football leagues are now year-round leagues. Some leagues start the rookie draft immediately after the NFL Draft in late April. Others occur throughout the summer, with a majority happening in the last few weeks before the season kicks off. If you are in a dynasty league getting ready to have its rookie draft soon, you should find our Navigating Your Dynasty Rookie Draft series helpful. We reversed the order of articles this year, counting down from the late fourth round to the early first round.
Dynasty rookie draft season is the time of year when those teams who missed the playoffs turn their attention to the incoming rookie class, and delusions of grandeur take over until the games kick off. Rebuilders are full of glee as they hoard their picks, while contenders are scheming how they can pry some of those picks away, and dynasty players everywhere are champing at the bit to draft their favorite prospect.
This 12-part series will use the latest Superflex Rookie ADP data available at Dynasty League Football. We will focus on the player or players likely to be available in that specific range we’re covering, and will also include options based on the 1QB rookie ADP, whenever actionable, for those who play in that format.
The mid-1st is clearly an area where you can’t miss on the prospect you draft or you risk pushing your success back another year. These selections have massive trade value in Superflex or traditional leagues and this year provides you with many options.
Let’s get after it!
Superflex 1.05 – Drake Maye, QB NE
I’m not as sold as some on Maye as a prospect but it’s hard to pass him at 1.05. The Patriots are going in a brand new direction and Maye is going to be given every opportunity to be successful moving forward. There are questions about his supporting cast and those are valid as the Patriots currently “boast” a receiving corps featuring Kendrick Bourne, Demario Davis, and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk among others. He’s also going to need to beat out Jacoby Brissett for time this season and while that seems like an inevitability, dynasty managers are likely going to need to wait until the Patriots are having trouble winning games before seeing Maye on the field – a bitter pill to swallow for anyone needing his production early.
Options/Strategy
This is tough in a Superflex league as one can safely assume both Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will be off the board. Maye is a solid consolation prize, however. He’s been steady in camp and while he has yet to really look like an elite option on the practice field, he’s also reportedly not making a ton of bad mistakes, either. There are concerns with him since his 2022 season was markedly better, leaving some believing he’s already hit his potential. Still, it’s not like his 3,608/24/9 season at North Carolina last season was a disappointment, either. In the end, quarterbacks reign supreme in Superflex leagues and it’s hard to pass on one an NFL franchise is clearly banking on to be their savior.
Pivots
If you choose to pass on Maye, you could certainly still look at quarterback with JJ McCarthy or even look at position players like Jonathon Brooks or Brock Bowers if you want to play it a little more safely.
1QB
In a 1QB league, it’s looking like Bowers is the answer. Most drafts are now seeing the trio of Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze being taken in the top three with Jonathon Brooks rising all the way to the 1.04. In the end, Brooks or Bowers is looking like the decision most dynasty managers are faced with at this spot.
Superflex 1.06 – Rome Odunze, WR CHI
Odunze was an absolute stud during his time with the Washington Huskies, culminating in a 2023 season that featured 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has the size/speed combination NFL teams drool over and his playmaking ability is borderline elite. If not for the amazing class of receivers we saw this season, he would have been considered to be the top one off the board. Instead, he went to Chicago with the ninth overall pick, behind both Harrison and Nabers.
Options/Strategy
The concern with Odunze has nothing to do with his talent level and everything to do with his surroundings. Chicago has never been a hotbed for fantasy production and they have an unestablished rookie quarterback who is going to need to get up to speed. In addition, he’s third or even fourth on the target share list initially behind the newly extended DJ Moore, newly acquired Keenan Allen, and possibly even tight end Cole Kmet. As such, his production could be sporadic to begin his career. Still, he was taken in the top ten of the NFL Draft for a reason, and while managers may need to be more patient than they initially want to be.
Pivots
If Drake Maye was to drop to this spot, that would make for an easy pick. You could also start looking at players like Bowers, Brooks, or go with JJ McCarthy if you’re in dire need of a young quarterback in your Superflex league.
1QB
This selection at 1.06 is looking like Xavier Worthy of the Chiefs. While he’s not in consideration quite this highly in a Superflex format, you can see the allure of taking him in a 1QB league as his speed component being paired with Patrick Mahomes is making dynasty managers salivate.
Superflex 1.07 – JJ McCarthy, WR MIN
McCarthy was the fastest riser in the 2024 NFL Draft quarterback class, going from what many thought would be a late first or early second round pick all the way up to being taken by Minnesota with the tenth overall selection. It’s not hard to see why after he posted a dominant 2023 season that culminated in a National Championship at Michigan.
Options/Strategy
This is the last of the safer bets at quarterback as the next (Bo Nix) is more of a late first or early second round pick and seemingly carries some more risk. Much like Maye, McCarthy is likely going to need to wait his turn as Sam Darnold is slated to be the starter for the Vikings early on this year. ADP was also submitted prior to the news of McCarthy’s knee injury, so he could drop a few more spots. However, getting a top-10 quarterback at pick 1.07 in a Superflex league is a luxury and it’s going to be very tough to pass on McCarthy, especially when you consider he’s going to eventually be throwing to the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Pivots
If McCarthy, Maye, Daniels, and Williams are all off the board, you’ll be in a rare spot. If that’s the case, you’re going to get one of the big three receivers in Harrison, Nabers, or Ounze with the seventh pick. In short, the four quarterbacks and three receivers seem like the top seven picks in virtually all Superflex drafts at the moment.
1QB
This is where the perceived dropoff in the rookie draft starts to occur. Someone with the 1.07 in a 1QB league is likely looking at Brian Thomasof the Jaguars. While he has a solid pedigree and is a great-looking prospect, he’s perceived to be a step down from the trio of receivers, Brooks, Worthy, and Bowers.
Superflex 1.08 – Jonathon Brooks, RB CAR
With the quarterbacks all but gone and the “big three” of Harrison, Nabers, and Odunze all likely off the board as well, the eighth pick is where things get pretty interesting in a Superflex league. Brooks is a solid option here and it’s truly rare to get the top dynasty running back with the 8th overall pick in a Superflex draft, so most won’t complain.
Options/Strategy
The choice here is going to come down to Brooks or Brock Bowers in most leagues. Some could make a case for Worthy as well but Brooks is the popular choice here. Had he not been injured and ready for camp, there’s a chance he could have been taken a little higher as well. The Panthers have Chuba Hubbard to start the year but we’ve seen enough of him to know he’s really not a starting caliber option in the NFL. Brooks looks the part of a true workhorse running back and a player Bryce Young can rely on to relieve some pressure. Like a few others on this list, dynasty managers are going to need to be patient as he won’t play at the beginning of the season but the reward is there for those who wait.
Pivots
If you’re sold on Bowers or Worthy and you don’t want to use a first round rookie pick on a running back, either of them would merit a selection here. They both have elite-level upside and while there are questions about both, either could honestly be a rookie of the year candidate if things fell their way.
1QB
In one quarterback leagues, Ladd McConkey looks like the sensible choice. While he’s a second round pick and doesn’t have the same athletic profile (or statistical production) as some others in this class, you could argue he landed in the single best place for a receiver. Justin Herbert is going to be desperate for help with the Chargers and McConkey could be relied upon earlier than most rookies and that’s perfect for a mid-round pick in a 1QB league.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
Editor’s note: Dynasty fantasy football leagues are now year-round leagues. Some leagues start the rookie draft immediately after the NFL Draft in late April. Others occur throughout the summer, with a majority happening in the last few weeks before the season kicks off. If you are in a dynasty league getting ready to have its rookie draft soon, you should find our Navigating Your Dynasty Rookie Draft series helpful. We reversed the order of articles this year, counting down from the late fourth round to the early first round.
Dynasty rookie draft season is the time of year when those teams who missed the playoffs turn their attention to the incoming rookie class, and delusions of grandeur take over until the games kick off. Rebuilders are full of glee as they hoard their picks, while contenders are scheming how they can pry some of those picks away, and dynasty players everywhere are champing at the bit to draft their favorite prospect.
This 12-part series will use the latest Superflex Rookie ADP data available at Dynasty League Football. We will focus on the player or players likely to be available in that specific range we’re covering, and will also include options based on the 1QB rookie ADP, whenever actionable, for those who play in that format.
The mid-1st is clearly an area where you can’t miss on the prospect you draft or you risk pushing your success back another year. These selections have massive trade value in Superflex or traditional leagues and this year provides you with many options.
Let’s get after it!
Superflex 1.05 – Drake Maye, QB NE
I’m not as sold as some on Maye as a prospect but it’s hard to pass him at 1.05. The Patriots are going in a brand new direction and Maye is going to be given every opportunity to be successful moving forward. There are questions about his supporting cast and those are valid as the Patriots currently “boast” a receiving corps featuring Kendrick Bourne, Demario Davis, and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk among others. He’s also going to need to beat out Jacoby Brissett for time this season and while that seems like an inevitability, dynasty managers are likely going to need to wait until the Patriots are having trouble winning games before seeing Maye on the field – a bitter pill to swallow for anyone needing his production early.
Options/Strategy
This is tough in a Superflex league as one can safely assume both Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will be off the board. Maye is a solid consolation prize, however. He’s been steady in camp and while he has yet to really look like an elite option on the practice field, he’s also reportedly not making a ton of bad mistakes, either. There are concerns with him since his 2022 season was markedly better, leaving some believing he’s already hit his potential. Still, it’s not like his 3,608/24/9 season at North Carolina last season was a disappointment, either. In the end, quarterbacks reign supreme in Superflex leagues and it’s hard to pass on one an NFL franchise is clearly banking on to be their savior.
Pivots
If you choose to pass on Maye, you could certainly still look at quarterback with JJ McCarthy or even look at position players like Jonathon Brooks or Brock Bowers if you want to play it a little more safely.
1QB
In a 1QB league, it’s looking like Bowers is the answer. Most drafts are now seeing the trio of Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze being taken in the top three with Jonathon Brooks rising all the way to the 1.04. In the end, Brooks or Bowers is looking like the decision most dynasty managers are faced with at this spot.
Superflex 1.06 – Rome Odunze, WR CHI
Odunze was an absolute stud during his time with the Washington Huskies, culminating in a 2023 season that featured 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has the size/speed combination NFL teams drool over and his playmaking ability is borderline elite. If not for the amazing class of receivers we saw this season, he would have been considered to be the top one off the board. Instead, he went to Chicago with the ninth overall pick, behind both Harrison and Nabers.
Options/Strategy
The concern with Odunze has nothing to do with his talent level and everything to do with his surroundings. Chicago has never been a hotbed for fantasy production and they have an unestablished rookie quarterback who is going to need to get up to speed. In addition, he’s third or even fourth on the target share list initially behind the newly extended DJ Moore, newly acquired Keenan Allen, and possibly even tight end Cole Kmet. As such, his production could be sporadic to begin his career. Still, he was taken in the top ten of the NFL Draft for a reason, and while managers may need to be more patient than they initially want to be.
Pivots
If Drake Maye was to drop to this spot, that would make for an easy pick. You could also start looking at players like Bowers, Brooks, or go with JJ McCarthy if you’re in dire need of a young quarterback in your Superflex league.
1QB
This selection at 1.06 is looking like Xavier Worthy of the Chiefs. While he’s not in consideration quite this highly in a Superflex format, you can see the allure of taking him in a 1QB league as his speed component being paired with Patrick Mahomes is making dynasty managers salivate.
Superflex 1.07 – JJ McCarthy, WR MIN
McCarthy was the fastest riser in the 2024 NFL Draft quarterback class, going from what many thought would be a late first or early second round pick all the way up to being taken by Minnesota with the tenth overall selection. It’s not hard to see why after he posted a dominant 2023 season that culminated in a National Championship at Michigan.
Options/Strategy
This is the last of the safer bets at quarterback as the next (Bo Nix) is more of a late first or early second round pick and seemingly carries some more risk. Much like Maye, McCarthy is likely going to need to wait his turn as Sam Darnold is slated to be the starter for the Vikings early on this year. ADP was also submitted prior to the news of McCarthy’s knee injury, so he could drop a few more spots. However, getting a top-10 quarterback at pick 1.07 in a Superflex league is a luxury and it’s going to be very tough to pass on McCarthy, especially when you consider he’s going to eventually be throwing to the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Pivots
If McCarthy, Maye, Daniels, and Williams are all off the board, you’ll be in a rare spot. If that’s the case, you’re going to get one of the big three receivers in Harrison, Nabers, or Ounze with the seventh pick. In short, the four quarterbacks and three receivers seem like the top seven picks in virtually all Superflex drafts at the moment.
1QB
This is where the perceived dropoff in the rookie draft starts to occur. Someone with the 1.07 in a 1QB league is likely looking at Brian Thomasof the Jaguars. While he has a solid pedigree and is a great-looking prospect, he’s perceived to be a step down from the trio of receivers, Brooks, Worthy, and Bowers.
Superflex 1.08 – Jonathon Brooks, RB CAR
With the quarterbacks all but gone and the “big three” of Harrison, Nabers, and Odunze all likely off the board as well, the eighth pick is where things get pretty interesting in a Superflex league. Brooks is a solid option here and it’s truly rare to get the top dynasty running back with the 8th overall pick in a Superflex draft, so most won’t complain.
Options/Strategy
The choice here is going to come down to Brooks or Brock Bowers in most leagues. Some could make a case for Worthy as well but Brooks is the popular choice here. Had he not been injured and ready for camp, there’s a chance he could have been taken a little higher as well. The Panthers have Chuba Hubbard to start the year but we’ve seen enough of him to know he’s really not a starting caliber option in the NFL. Brooks looks the part of a true workhorse running back and a player Bryce Young can rely on to relieve some pressure. Like a few others on this list, dynasty managers are going to need to be patient as he won’t play at the beginning of the season but the reward is there for those who wait.
Pivots
If you’re sold on Bowers or Worthy and you don’t want to use a first round rookie pick on a running back, either of them would merit a selection here. They both have elite-level upside and while there are questions about both, either could honestly be a rookie of the year candidate if things fell their way.
1QB
In one quarterback leagues, Ladd McConkey looks like the sensible choice. While he’s a second round pick and doesn’t have the same athletic profile (or statistical production) as some others in this class, you could argue he landed in the single best place for a receiver. Justin Herbert is going to be desperate for help with the Chargers and McConkey could be relied upon earlier than most rookies and that’s perfect for a mid-round pick in a 1QB league.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
