While dynasty startup season is almost behind us, and we are transitioning into redraft season, there are still some dynasty nerds that can’t get enough of this crap. As Travis Kelce’s wife would say, “Hi. I’m the problem; it’s me.” I am in the midst of my latest startup, growing my dynasty portfolio to 121 teams. Yes, I have a girlfriend. No, she does not like me. Halfway through my latest attempt at dynasty greatness, there are a few glaring ADP values you should target in your startups. For this exercise, I am using dynastydatalab.com for ADP information and using Superflex, PPR, and tight end premium (1.75 per reception) scoring. Here are my five biggest values on the board:
Trevor Lawrence- ADP 31 (QB11)
There is no world in which Trevor Lawrence should be going as QB11 in a dynasty startup. Coming off a year in which he finished QB4 in his first year with Liam Cohen, the sky is the limit for Lawrence. He arguably has one of the best wide receiver groups in the league. Lawrence brings rushing upside as well.
He was tenth in the league in rushing yards at the position and tied for second at the position with 9 rushing touchdowns. The Cohen/Lawrence rocket has just taken off and is nowhere close to full speed. Latch on now if you can in either your next dynasty startup draft or via trade with a guy looking to add at another position.
Travis Etienne- ADP 75 (RB21)
Lawrence’s former teammate is next on my list. I’m not sure if there was a better fit for Etienne. He joins an up-and-coming team in the Saints. Playing indoors, on the turf, joining what should be one of the more fast-paced and vibes-filled offenses in the entire league. He’s coming off a career year in Jacksonville last year, finishing as RB10. That was all with only scoring 7 rushing TDS.
Alvin Kamara and Tyler Shough may take some of those opportunities away from him, but they should increase compared to his role with the Jaguars, and Shough and Kamara may only have one more year with the team. I’d rather have Etienne in dynasty over guys like Kyren Williams, Bucky Irving, and Javonte Williams, who are all currently going ahead of him in dynasty startups.
Marvin Harrison Jr- ADP 63 (WR24)
Call me a sucker. But there is no reason to give up on one of the highest-touted wide receiver prospects in the past quarter-century this early. Both Michael Wilson and Trey McBride had career years in 2025 with Jacoby Brissett at the helm. First thing to note is that Harrison Jr missed all or parts of seven games last year. Second thing to note is that, at least in the immediate term, the Cardinals are dog dookie and will continue to have a lot of pass-heavy, come-from-behind game scripts.
On plays that both Harrison Jr and Wilson were on the field together last year, the stats, according to @fantasyptsdata, looked like this: MJH had a 25.7% target share with a 0.21 TPRR, and Wilson had a 15.8% target share with a 0.13 TPRR. With a better running game on the horizon and a soon-to-be new QB to take over for Brissett in 2027 at the latest, we might be looking at Harrison Jr. as one of the biggest risers from one year to the next in our dynasty startups.
Dalton Kincaid- ADP 102 (TE11)
Are you ready for the Kyle Pitts breakout year from Kincaid? Because it’s coming. Kincaid has passed the eye test in every way when he has been healthy. He has been battling knee injuries for two years now, a for-sure red flag for someone I am ready to call a “dynasty startup value”. Kincaid led all qualified tight ends with 14.6 yards per reception in 2025 and was also first in yards per route run with 2.77.
The concern has only been availability. There is also a belief on the team that, with Sean McDermott’s exit and a more aggressive defense, we will see more of a passing attack from the Buffalo Bills this year. Outside of the newly acquired D.J. Moore, there is no better receiving option than a healthy Kincaid. Kincaid is due for a breakout year.
The Mid Round 2026 Rookie WRs- (Too Late)
Now forgive me for cheating. I am not saying all of these guys will be good. In fact, there is a better chance than not that most of them are complete cow manure. But the one or two guys that do hit out of this group in dynasty startups will make up for any misses you have with the rest of them. For me, this tier starts with Chris Bell (ADP 143), and continues with Germie Bernard (149), Antonio Williams (155), Elijah Sarratt (160), Zachariah Branch (167), Chris Brazzell (170), De’Zhaun Stribling (179), Malachi Fields (182), and Ted Hurst (183).
Wow, Louie, way to take a stand. I get it. But I am clicking on 2 or 3 of these guys in every startup in rounds 12-14. The reward is way higher than the risk of not making a pick on guys like Rashid Shaheed, Tyjae Spears, or Hunter Henry. I don’t feel confident enough in any of them to attack one too hard or fade one altogether, but I have pushed Branch and Williams to the top of the list myself.
