Not much in the way of trades as we moved through Round 3 but our first rookies came off the board at 3.04 (Ashton Jeanty) and 3.06 (Tet McMillan). Tet would later be moved via a blockbuster deal between @FFDelly and @DFF_MR – full download below. We also witnessed two more TEs drafted at the top of Round 3 as both @dirrim23 and @DFF_MR opted to lock down top-tier options with the Tight End Premium and take full advantage of the Third Round Reversal benefit. The DFF League of Record Startup Draft continues with Part 3 of 5.
Settings
- 12-team SuperFlex with Full PPR.
- Half-point Tight End Premium.
- Start 11 with 2 RBs, 3 WRs, and 3 Flex.
- Third-Round Reversal.
- Rookies are included in the draft pool.
- We ran the 100 Yard Rush to establish our initial order, then derbied for final draft spots.
3.01 C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans – @Evan_Kerr_
With the majority of my top-tier QBs already selected, I was glad to see that Stroud made it back to this spot. Having a reliable QB1 in a SuperFlex is always important, and I think Stroud has fallen too far. It was just last year that he was viewed as a top 5 pick in startups, and now he is falling outside of the top two rounds altogether. Keep in mind that he was without Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Joe Mixon, and multiple offensive linemen for portions of the season. Assuming they can stay healthier next year, the Houston offense could take off again and Stroud could be back to 20+ PPG routinely. It did cross my mind to take advantage of the premium scoring for tight ends and select Trey McBride instead, but I just couldn’t pass on my last quarterback in this tier.
3.02 Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals – @DFF_MR
I knew I’d get one of my targeted Marvin Harrison Jr., C.J. Stroud, and Ashton Jeanty at 3.02 and honestly would have been happy with any choice, but getting McBride here had a little extra jolt in this format. The dude is a beast and allows me to now focus on building out my lineup without having to chase a top-5 TE who can be a force multiplier at the position. Seeing LaPorta go 3.03 reinforced my position knowing my league mates, or at least the next pick, were thinking the same thing.
3.03 Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions – @dirrim23
Coming into Round 3, I knew I wanted to wait on selecting a running back and a second quarterback because of the shift in tiers once Caleb Williams and Saquon Barkley went off the board. I decided I was going to cross my fingers for Trey McBride, but he went one pick before me. I was left staring at Sam LaPorta here. It seems the fantasy community has taken a step back from him one year after he broke rookie tight end records and finished as the TE1 in PPR leagues. Sure, he dropped down to the TE8 this year but still managed to finish the season strong. In Weeks 13-18, LaPorta put together five straight double-digit performances, as he served as the TE4 during that span.
Now that I have my main pieces at quarterback (Mahomes), wide receiver (Nacua), and tight end, I will shift my focus to either adding my first running back or snagging my second quarterback. I’ll have a long wait, so the idea of trading up in the fourth round isn’t off the table at this point.
3.04 Ashton Jeanty, RB, N/A – (Traded) – @FFChalmers
Entering the third round there was a massive tier break for me after Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride were taken. But, there was one player left for me in that tier with elite fantasy upside. Rookie running-back Ashton Jeanty. A guy whose resume speaks for itself. A 90 overall PFF rushing and receiving grade his sophomore year, 2,601 rushing yards (7.0 YPC), and 29 rushing scores his junior year, averaged over 6.4 YPC his whole time in college, and averaged an FBS 5.25 yards after contact per attempt. The best in the nation by far! This guy is a Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley-level prospect. Getting him at the running back four price tag is something I was willing to trade up for.
TRADE UPDATE: As my 3.04 pick finally rolled upon me and put me on the clock, I once again was dealt with making a pivot as my Trey McBride did not fall to me. I did have the lovely option of Ashton Jeanty, Tet McMillan, and Garrett Wilson on the board as I stared at each of them down the barrel, but had full intentions on Jeanty here. I also wanted to throw the possibility of receiving a haul for a trade on the board. My thought process was I was desperate for a positional player, preferably a wide receiver or tight end seeing I had two quarterbacks already. McBride just went so my number one option crumbled in front of my eyes. However, I had the option from the owner that chose him to trade up for that, but it would cost.
My thought here was to game rather than spend. Starting the draft off with two quarterbacks I think this made more sense to my build. Having Jeanty as my top-ranked player, I felt obligated to take him if I had to make my pick. I did not want to choose a running back over a wide receiver or tight end here. So I felt the pivot of trading this pick would be best for my overall build. Now I’m looking more to the future rather than this year but at the same time trying to peep this season, entering myself in a progressive rebuild out of the gate. At the same time, I could not feel any better about that approach seeing I have two cornerstone quarterbacks in place already.
I’m viewing it as it’s giving me an edge as I am not strapped to take quarterbacks in the first round even with an early pick which only sets me up to profit moving the future pick. My high demand for a starting quarterback won’t exist to where others will need it. It will open the doors for trade opportunities next year. I had multiple teams entertaining the offers I had sent. I felt the right price to be paid to move this third-round cornerstone piece would be nothing less than falling back round, gaining an 8th-9th round start-up pick, and a 26 1. Straight up for what my 3.04 pick represented. The loss of what I’m suffering.
I had to have the possible value of return as my return to do this. It wasn’t the asking price I was firm on. I had multiple offers that I countered with exactly what I was asking. I had other teams debating the offer, along with some counters. But as a businessman, I was transparent with each of them and let them know what I needed. In doing so, my boy Chalmers was the first to accept to get his guy. The same guy I had my intentions of Taking. He took Ashton Jeanty. So the trade was my 3.04(Jeant) in exchange for Chalmers 4.06, 9.07, and Chalmers 2026 1st. I received the value and return that it seemed fair to move my third-round pick and fall back into the fourth. – @fantasybuff
3.05 Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers – @force_fantasy
On my shortlist for this pick were Trey McBride, Ladd Mckonkey, Tet McMillan, and Ashton Jeanty. With McBride and Jeanty being selected right before me it came down to McConkey and McMillan. In the end, I opted for the bird in the hand “McConkey” vs. the two in the bush “McMillan”. McConkey was a WR1 (top 12) from Weeks 8 to 18 finishing 11th in fantasy points during this period. This also does not include his blowup game in the playoffs where he went for 9 receptions, 197 yards, and a touchdown.
3.06 Tet McMillan, WR, N/A – (Traded) – @DFF_MR
I drafted Tet here pretty confidently but traded him to add a 2026 Rookie 1st & gained an extra 5th & 7th round pick in the start-up draft while losing an 8th in the process. I often don’t make trades in startup drafts but adding depth to my roster in a 12-man league is crucial early on – @FFDelly
TRADE UPDATE: I had been uncharacteristically patient in this startup and outside of a couple of offers, hadn’t considered moving around the board. I planned to leave with either Jeanty or Tet and when Chalmers moved up to grab Jeanty in the third round, I knew the asking price would be too high and thus my pivot to McMillan.
Make no mistake, in a Start 3WR league, I was stoked to add the top WR prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft who tracks with how I typically like to stock my WR Room, particularly alongside the more explosive Malik Nabers. And if you’re going to give up a future first-round pick, 26 is the class to take a gamble on unless you’re targeting the QB position. – @DFF_MR
3.07 Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals – @FFChalmers
Now back to my original pick in the 3rd round. This is a Superflex format league. Eleven quarterbacks have been taken to this point. This pick was pretty easy for me. Yes, I know at times Kyler Murray can be a pretty bad real-life quarterback. In fantasy football though all he does is produce. Every healthy season Kyler Murray has ever had in the NFL he has produced no less than eighteen fantasy points per game. Four times he’s finished as a QB1, and as long as he has that rushing floor he’s a safe bet to continue to finish as a QB1.
3.08 A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – @alex_greco2
This was the toughest decision of my draft so far. I had two guys essentially equal in value, A.J. Brown and Garrett Wilson, who both fell to me at this pick. In an ideal world, one of them would have gone before me so I didn’t have to sweat this one out. Nonetheless, I am absolutely terrified by that offense in East Rutherford, and the glaring question marks behind the QB and offensive play caller for the Jets swung this decision towards AJB. Sure he’s older, but his value has been diminished by his “off-year” when in reality, he was still top 12 in fpts/game, above notable guys like Brian Thomas, Drake London, Ladd McConkey, and yes, even Garrett Wilson. I’ll take the stack and not look back.
3.09 Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos – @DFF_Matt_T
Having gone WR with my first two picks I needed to grab a QB in a Superflex league and Bo Nix was the best option on the board for me at 3.09. I also had an eye on Nix the entire 3rd round, and I kept watching the board hoping he fell to me. With the upside Nix showed as a rookie finishing as QB7 he was a great value here, especially with his rushing upside on what figures to be an improving Broncos offense under Sean Payton. Under Sean Payton, Nix should continue to improve and his rushing upside should keep him in top 10 Dynasty Fantasy QB contention.
3.10 Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets – @jim_DFF
According to KeepTradeCut, Garrett Wilson was valued as high as the WR3 overall in Dynasty during the 2023 season. We’ve known Wilson is an elite talent ever since his rookie season where he racked up a whopping 147 targets. Nothing has changed from a talent standpoint; but unfortunately, nothing has changed for Wilson from a quarterback standpoint, either. Will Rodgers be back under center in 2025? Maybe the Jets trade up for Cameron Ward or Shedeur Sanders, or maybe they grab someone like Justin Fields from free agency. The question mark at QB is a concern of mine, but from a Dynasty perspective, I’m not overly concerned. The 3.10 pick is a great value for a receiver who could conceivably put up a WR1 overall season if he finds himself in the right situation down the line. Only one other receiver in NFL history has earned more targets through their first three seasons: Justin Jefferson. That’s some elite company. I’m betting on the talent here and taking Wilson as my cornerstone WR to build around.
3.11 – Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – @BWinkNFL
This is certainly a controversial pick, but anyone who knows BWinkNFL knows I’m not one to shy away from that. Rice is currently the cheapest 24-year-old WR1 money can buy- perhaps for good reason, but there’s also plenty of good reason to draft this guy a lot earlier than the 3-4 turn in startups.
When I turn on the Rice tape, it genuinely frustrates me so much, for 2 main reasons. One being that I’m shocked I didn’t see it with this kid earlier; there is just so much to like about his game. From the physicality to the agility and feel for getting separation, Rice is a do-it-all master of many roles, able to cook on deep downfield shots up the sideline and operate as a pure demon out of the power-slot role. Reid, Mahomes, and Rice were putting on an absolute masterclass of an over-the-middle passing attack in Weeks 1-3. Then, everything changed when the fire nation attacked.
Rice’s LCL/PLC injury was a devastating blow and derailed a beeline route to a top 5 WR finish. Rice was the WR2 in fantasy PPG when he went down and likely would have finished close to that if not for Mahomes selling out his WR1 to ensure the devil magic of the 2024 Chiefs remained potent. However, when you watch Kansas City on offense today, their attack feels hollow, like there’s a huge thing missing right in the middle.
And that’s because there is. That middle-of-field demon that is their WR1 will return with an absolute vengeance next year, ready to dominate targets and fulfill the glorious 2nd-year breakout that never happened. In my genuine opinion, Rashee Rice is one of the best receivers in the game right now, and his long-term pairing with Mahomes ensures to me that a fantasy WR1 season is somewhere in his near future.
3.12 De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins – BingoGringo
Drafting Achane was a fun pick for me, getting my first share across all leagues. Achane is electric when he gets the ball in his hands, as a runner or pass catcher. Achane saw the 2nd most targets of all running backs behind Alvin Kamara and was second amongst starting RBs in points per touch, behind Jahmyr Gibbs, as the only two RBs to average over 1 point per touch. Grabbing Achane here at the end of Round 3 as the RB5 overall has me excited. If Tua can stay healthy, I will bet on Achane’s efficiency to lead to an RB1 season.
Stay tuned as the Startup Draft progresses and fire over any questions or comments you might have about the league specifics. You can reach me on Twitter/X via @DFF_MR. And for those interested in an annual membership, visit us here for the next steps! #DFFArmy #DynastyFantasyFootball #AlwaysBeBuilding #NFL
