In dynasty startup drafts, rookies are often viewed as risks, especially down the board, because of the ambiguity they represent. However, hitting on a rookie selection in a startup draft could be a major value boost for your dynasty team. If they perform well on the field, you’re rewarded with a young, productive player for the next several seasons.
There are several rookies flying under the radar in dynasty drafts this offseason, but this article should help you identify some of those names you should be drafting ahead of their ADP. We’re going to use KeepTradeCut’s dynasty ADP as a baseline. Let’s get into the article!
Mason Taylor (TE, NYJ)
KTC Rank - TE14, 140th Overall
Mason Taylor has been one of my favorite prospects in this draft class throughout the entire offseason. He represents the traditional tight end. The LSU product is a capable receiver; he has strong hands, runs very solid routes, and possesses pro-ready athleticism and size (6’5”, 251 lbs).
Taylor is also an impressive blocker, and in a league loaded with talented receivers at the tight end position, he displays the ability to handle both facets of the position with ease. He will easily slot in as New York’s starting tight end from the jump, and could even end up as one of the most targeted players in the team in his rookie season.
Newly-acquired Jets quarterback Justin Fields had a solid connection with tight end Cole Kmet during his tenure in Chicago. Kmet had the best statistical years of his career so far as a receiver when Fields suited up for the Windy City, and if Taylor develops quickly, he could end up as a heavily-involved member of the Jets’ passing attack early on.
Mason Taylor is an extremely balanced prospect, with a high floor and ceiling due to his aptitude as a receiver and a blocker. He’s well-worth a selection above ADP if your squad is lacking a tight end in the middle-to-later rounds of your dynasty startup drafts. He’s one of my favorite targets in dynasty formats, and at only 21 years old, this pick could pay off for years to come.
Oronde Gadsde (TE, LAC)
KTC Rank - TE31, 216th Overall
Former Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II is being massively underrated by the dynasty community. After switching from wide receiver to tight end, he dominated with the Orange, going for 73 receptions, 934 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns in his final year of college football.
His background as a receiver means that he has plenty of experience as a weapon in the passing game, and it’s not like the Chargers have a clear starter at the tight end position. Gadsden’s massive frame (6’5”, 236 lb) gives him a massive catch radius and great contested catch skills, allowing him to dominate defensive backs all over the field, especially in the end zone.
Gadsden is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, so his draft capital isn’t the best. However, the lack of stiff competition at the position in Los Angeles will give Gadsden a unique opportunity to become a fantasy-relevant asset in Year 1.
The Chargers got a receiving-specializing, below-average blocking tight end who could be a valuable addition to the offense for quarterback Justin Herbert. If all goes according to plan, his extremely low ADP will increase his floor as a dynasty asset. There could be a new top tight end in L.A., make sure to draft him in the later rounds of your dynasty startup drafts!
Woody Marks (RB, HOU)
KTC Rank - RB69, 215th Overall
Woody Marks is one one of the most truly intriguing situations in the entire NFL. He landed in Houston after the team selected him in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving veteran Joe Mixon as his main competition for touches. The team later signed another veteran, Nick Chubb, to a one-year contract, setting themselves up to place Mixon and Chubb as their top two backs for 2025.
Chubb struggled in his return from a horrific knee injury last season on the Browns, posting 102 carries for 332 rushing yards, as well as three rushing touchdowns while averaging 3.3 yards per carry. At the very least, the former Cleveland Brown should be able to operate as the top goal-line back, which could hold some fantasy value.
Mixon is coming off of a strong first season in Houston, even if he had a hard time gaining any momentum on the ground over the final four weeks of the 2024 regular season. He may be nearing the age of 30, but he’ll still be the team’s starter by the end of the 2025 season.
Moving away from the current backfield situation in Houston, Marks is an impressive prospect. On tape and at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, he showed valuable receiving, giving him potential as a PPR option. Marks is also a strong and elusive runner, dodging and pushing through defenders to gain extra yards.
If Woody Marks is given the chance, I believe that he could be an adequate starting running back in the NFL. It will take some time for him to become fantasy-relevant, but once Chubb and Mixon are out of the picture, Marks could make a serious run at the starting job. As the RB69, the USC product could bring unbelievable value to your dynasty team.
DJ Giddens (RB, IND)
KTC Rank - RB52, 169th Overall
At first glance, it may appear that former Kansas State running back DJ Giddens is in an unremarkable situation in Indianapolis. He is stuck as a backup to a workhorse rusher in an inefficient offense. However, Giddens could end up providing some serious value in dynasty startup drafts.
For starters, Giddens is an awesome prospect. His change-of-direction abilities and elusiveness make him a real danger in the open field to opposing defenders.
Secondly, he is the backup to one of the more injury-prone star running backs in the NFL. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has only played around 12 games per year over the past two seasons, leaving the door open for Giddens if Taylor is forced to miss a game or two.
Overall, DJ Giddens should be valued much higher than as the 169th overall player. He has the talent and the offensive environment to develop into one of football's top handcuff rushers. He’s worth a late pick in drafts if you’re willing to gamble on several things, including Indy’s offensive woes over the past few seasons.
HM: Tai Felton (WR, MIN)
KTC Rank - WR102, 253rd Overall
HM: Terrance Ferguson (TE, LAR)
KTC Rank - TE16, 146th Overall