One of the most significant advantages you can gain in a Dynasty league is selecting a rookie in the third or fourth round who eventually develops into a valuable asset. The teams that consistently transform their late-round picks into players who can return RB2/WR3/Flex value gradually pull ahead of the competition as the seasons add up.
This year’s rookie draft class appears to be particularly deep, which makes acquiring as many lottery tickets in the third and fourth rounds a smart strategy, especially in leagues with deep benches or taxi squad spots.
Using DLF Superflex Rookie ADP Data from April, here’s a quick breakdown of four of my favorite values currently available outside the first two rounds of 12-team Dynasty rookie drafts.
3.04 (28th Overall) – Will Shipley – RB – Clemson
I’m a fan of stocking my bench with RBs who excel at pass-catching, and Will Shipley fits that mold perfectly. Although he might not be big enough to handle a true workhorse role, he could achieve low-end RB2 numbers as the primary pass-catching option in a committee in the right offense. Furthermore, his value gets a boost in leagues that award points for return yards, making him an even more attractive option under the new league rules.
3.12 (36th Overall) – Devontez Walker – WR – North Carolina
Every year, there are one or two wide receivers I find myself valuing more highly than the consensus in rookie drafts. This year, Devontez Walker is shaping up to be one of those players. Despite a somewhat bumpy journey to get on the field for the Tar Heels, he managed to break free for over 70 receiving yards in five of his eight games, surpassing the 100-yard mark three times and scoring seven touchdowns. I’m drafting him comfortably in the late third and early fourth rounds of rookie drafts.
4.08 (44th Overall) – Ben Sinnott – Kansas St
With the rise of the popularity of TE-Premium leagues, I was surprised to see Ben Sinnott going this late in the fourth round. Sinnott is one of the most explosive and powerful runners with the ball after the catch among TEs in the past five years. His biggest knock is that he’s so good in that area that there have been rumors of teams wanting to convert him into a pass-catching fullback, which could limit his touches and fantasy value. Nevertheless, in the fourth round, I’m willing to take a chance on him.
5.09 (57th Overall) – Malik Washington – Virginia
Earlier, I mentioned that there are always one or two receivers I value more highly than the consensus each year. Well, Malik Washington is the number one WR for me this year. Shockingly, he’s available outside of the fourth round in 12-team drafts, and I expect his ADP to correct closer to the third round after the NFL draft. Washington transferred to Virginia for his final season to become the focal point of their offense after four years at Northwestern, and he delivered. He set career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns while also improving his yards per catch, demonstrating his ability to maintain efficiency with an increased workload. I’m grabbing Washington now in the late third round, and in the fourth round, he’s an absolute steal.
To put my money where my mouth is, I selected two of the players mentioned in the article in my first real Dynasty league rookie draft of the offseason. This league drafts two weeks before the NFL draft each year, so it will be fun to look back in two weeks and see how it turned out.
Thank you for reading. You can find me talking about football on X (@dynoNFL)
