Dynasty Startup Draft Strategy Primer

Here are some key principles to keep in mind when constructing your dynasty roster from scratch. Some of these obviously apply when continuing to manage your roster.

• Don't draft young players in the hopes that they will all turn into studs. I like to aim to win now, as soon as Year 1. Mix in young studs with productive veterans.

• Situations can change very quickly. The biggest constant with a player is his talent. However, don't undervalue a player's situation in dynasty. If talent meets awesome situation, that player inherently has more value. At the same time, don't overvalue less talented players in good situations.

• You should always be looking to win now, but have seeds for the future. However, it's probably better to value winning more than those seeds who haven't become productive studs just yet. Would you rather try to win a championship or wait/hope that the hype on a young player comes to fruition soon? Always a question to keep in the front of your mind. Understand who will produce highly for you now and over the next year or two, and value them more.

• There's nothing wrong with trading early startup picks for mid rounders to accumulate more extremely solid players for less elite players.

• Young stud WRs are the cornerstone of any dynasty team. However, if the aim is to win right away, don't use the zero-RB strategy; aim to get a few solid RBs somewhat early on. One strategy is to go hero RB - just one stud/elite RB early, and then wait several rounds before your next one. If you ended up accumulating extra middle round picks, there will be some young WRs to choose from if you do take more than one RB earlier on.

• In a 1-QB league, there isn't any need to aim for studs. A solid low-end Top-12 QB will do (minimal positional advantage), and you can add on another in the double digit rounds. In 2-QB or Superflex leagues, I'd prioritize QB. Positional advantage becomes a thing, especially QBs who run and give you fantasy points with their legs. Make sure to grab some backup QBs in SF, as well.

• When in doubt, go WR. They simply last longer, have a longer prime, and have longer shelf life.

• If you see multiple players you like in the next couple of rounds, trade back. It's very possible someone wants to trade up for that "stud", but you just got two very good players instead of that one. Over a longer time sample (this is dynasty), it's very possible that these two players turn out more valuable to you.

• If you want to win now, I'm with you. But make sure to not treat your startup just like redraft. Mix in those young players, specifically young WRs. Because if you don't end up winning now, you don't want to set yourself too far back.

• TE Premium: Get your top tight ends - Trey McBride, Sam Laporta. Also, understand taking mid TEs over some good WRs in the mid rounds. It's just what you have to do in this format. Try not to wait on TE here.