The 2026 NFL Draft ended just a few days ago, and a consensus has yet to form. We ran a dynasty startup draft to get an idea of where players should be going. Rookies are shooting up and down draft boards. The veteran fallout is still being assessed. Everyone has a take on upcoming camp battles, but we're still a ways away from those answers.
Jeff Bell and I gathered ten of the sharpest minds at Footballguys to partake in a dynasty startup draft following the 2026 NFL Draft. Drafting in a room with a bunch of experts poses a new set of challenges (in addition to making selections while podcasting!), and I asked each participant for feedback on their draft.
While you're here, follow along live with Jeff and me on a new episode of The Footballguys Fantasy Football Show. We dive right in, commenting live throughout the draft and assessing it after. With a 30-second clock, no trades, and 12 analysts trying to outmaneuver each other live on air, things got chaotic fast.
Here's the draft board.
https://sleeper.com/draft/nfl/1354544288859435008
Dynasty Startup League and Draft Settings
- 12 teams
- 30-second clock
- No trades
- Third-round reversal
- 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 3 Flex, 1 Superflex, 7 bench
- PPR
- No tiered scoring or tight-end premium
I didn't want to force our experts to answer specific questions, or I'd end up with a bunch of similar answers. My prompt was simple: "I want everyone to think about the draft and write whatever they want. Takeaways, surprises, values, strategy, complaints. Whatever your takeaway was from this draft."
