Now is the perfect time to identify where some of the 2026 rookies offer strong value in dynasty startup drafts, whether you’re looking for immediate production or long-term upside. While every startup draft will play out differently, I’d expect these players to land within roughly 7–8 picks of where they were selected in a recent startup draft used for this article. Some are bigger-name rookies who may still be undervalued compared to their upside, while others are deeper sleepers worth targeting late.
Here are four strong rookie values (plus a few deeper dart throws) to consider in your next dynasty startup draft.
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Startup Draft Rookie ADP
Jadarian Price, RB — ADP 7.05
Surrounding Players – Kyle Monangai, D’Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, KC Concepcion
We start off with rookie running back Jadarian Price, who honestly looks like a value in this startup draft. Whether dynasty managers believe Price can become a true feature back is another discussion, but the profile is intriguing. First-round running backs historically carry strong hit rates, even if Price was selected later in Round 1. More importantly, he has a clear path to becoming the starting running back for the defending Super Bowl champions.
If your startup strategy involves waiting on running back and landing Price in Round 7, that feels like an easy decision. The players going around him simply don’t offer the same type of ceiling that Price brings if things break right.
Could he really push for 300 touches as a rookie? That may be aggressive, especially with Zach Charbonnet expected back at some point, but the workload upside is still significant if Price takes control of the backfield early. Even if he falls short of that number, the combination of opportunity, draft capital, and offensive environment makes him one of the more appealing upside bets in this range.
At his current startup cost, Price looks like a strong value for dynasty managers willing to bet on youth and opportunity.
Eli Stowers, TE — ADP 10.08
Surrounding Players – Isaiah Likely, Matthew Golden, Jakobi Meyers, Courtland Sutton
I originally had Kenyon Sadiq as the pick at the 8.12 spot in this startup draft, but seeing Eli Stowers go a round and a half later changed my mind in terms of value.
Stowers and Sadiq are not far apart from a talent perspective, making the price difference even more appealing. Stowers has a relatively clear path to becoming the Eagles’ starting tight end in 2027, and there’s even a chance he flashes as a rookie in a complementary role.
The players being drafted around Stowers are solid options, but few offer the same long-term upside—especially in TE-premium formats. Jakobi Meyers and Courtland Sutton are productive veterans, but production past 2026 is cloudy. I’m also lower on Matthew Golden despite the optimism surrounding the changes in Green Bay’s offense.
When comparing Stowers to Isaiah Likely, I’ll take the younger player with untapped upside. Likely’s value has surged because of his new landing spot, but after four NFL seasons, he still hasn’t fully put things together from a fantasy perspective. Yes, he spent much of that time behind Mark Andrews, which matters, but Stowers offers the kind of long-term ceiling that young dynasty teams should be targeting.
At his current startup cost, Stowers feels like one of the better upside bets for teams thinking beyond 2026.
De’Zhaun Stribling, WR — 17.10
Surrounding Players – Malachi Fields, Eric Ayomanor, Deebo Samuel
I wasn’t overly high on De’Zhuan Stribling as a prospect, so I was a bit surprised to see him come off the board that early in the NFL Draft. That said, the draft capital matters, and so does the landing spot.
Stribling is the type of receiver who can create downfield plays with his long strides, initial burst, and ability to stretch the field. He may see the field earlier than some expect as a rookie because of his blocking ability, which should help earn trust quickly in the 49ers offense.
Landing in San Francisco is almost always a positive for skilled offensive players, especially when there are potential opportunities ahead of him. Mike Evans is getting older, and Ricky Pearsall has dealt with durability concerns, which could open the door for Stribling to carve out a larger role as the season progresses. It would not be shocking to see him pushing for meaningful snaps—or even a starting role—by midseason.
The players being drafted around him often lack either the offensive environment or long-term upside that Stribling offers. For a player selected 33rd overall in the NFL Draft, there is clear value at his current startup price.
Antonio Williams, WR — 18.08
Surrounding Players – Tank Dell, Jakobi Lane, Pat Freiermuth
Antonio Williams may be getting plenty of hype in rookie drafts, but in startup drafts, there is still clear value on the young rookie receiver. Williams brings strong YAC ability to his game, which is always appealing for fantasy managers. He slipped further than expected in the NFL Draft, allowing the Commanders to land what could end up being a steal.
Williams looked poised for a massive senior season before injuries disrupted his early production, but he finished strong, thriving over his final seven games. With improved quarterback play in Washington, there is a path for Williams to reach his full potential in this offense.
At his current startup cost, he offers much more upside than several veterans and fringe options being selected around him, making him an appealing value target for dynasty managers looking to add youth with long-term upside.
Deep Sleeper Value Players
Kaelon Black, RB — 21.01
I understand that not many dynasty managers are high on Kaelon Black, and I’m probably part of that crowd as well. However, in terms of value in Round 21 of a startup draft, he is worth the shot.
Black wasn’t a highly regarded prospect coming out of college, but he did land in a good situation. Unlike the last time the 49ers took a running back early with Trey Sermon, Black is actually being drafted at a reasonable value. The easy narrative is that San Francisco could (and probably should) avoid overfeeding Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.
Could Black win the backup job and see around 110 carries as a rookie? It’s possible. McCaffrey’s injury history could force the 49ers to split up the workload more than usual, and Black would benefit from playing in one of the better rushing schemes in football. At this price, he is worth the gamble late.
Demond Claiborne, RB — 22.03
Demond Claiborne is an interesting rookie running back. He is a smaller back, but he brings blazing speed to his game. He likely won’t become a true feature back, but he could develop into a solid 1B option if he adjusts well to the NFL.
He is more of a dart throw for a contending team looking for running back depth, especially with Aaron Jones already on the wrong side of 30 and carrying an injury history. Claiborne could easily be off dynasty rosters by 2027, but the upside is worth chasing late in startup drafts.
Adam Randall, RB — 22.08
Adam Randall is a young running back, which is a plus, but he is still newer to the position after switching to running back during his senior season. He lands in Baltimore, where the backup job behind Derrick Henry could be wide open.
Randall’s history as a receiver could benefit him as a rookie if he can win the pass-catching role in the backfield. He is also a big 232-pound back who can learn behind Henry and potentially compete for a starting role in 2027 if Henry decides to hang it up after 2026.
This was also a personal pick by the Ravens owner, so you know Randall will get a fair shot to prove himself.
Tanner Koziol, TE — 24.03
Tanner Koziol offers great value in literally the final round of this startup draft. He is a pass-catching tight end who can create mismatches with his size and catch radius. He isn’t someone who will consistently separate with speed, but he can be a strong contested-catch option at the next level.
Brenton Strange is currently the starter for Jacksonville, and his contract is up after the season. With the amount of money the Jaguars have already invested into the offense, Koziol could easily have a path to becoming the Week 1 starter in 2027.
He is a strong taxi-squad stash in 2026 with potential upside heading into 2027.
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