Dynasty Startup ADP: Key Takeaways

Kevin looks at the combined ADP from January. He dives into player values, pick values, and more in his latest article.

When diving into a dynasty startup, understanding Average Draft Position (ADP) is essential. It provides a clear picture of how the market values players, future rookie picks, and positional trends—giving you a strategic edge in drafts and trades. One of the best free resources available for dynasty ADP is Dynasty Data Lab. Their startup ADP includes 2025 rookie picks, offering insight into their market value rather than just relying on rankings.

In this article, I’ll break down the biggest takeaways from the latest ADP trends, how 2025 picks are being valued, and what this means for player trade markets. Whether you’re prepping for a startup or looking to make smart moves in an existing league, leveraging ADP can give you a serious advantage. Let’s get into it.

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Rounds 1-5: Foundation Builders

General Takeaways

The biggest takeaway in these early rounds is the sharp drop in quarterback talent after Jordan Love at QB11. Once he’s off the board, there’s a significant gap before you find another quarterback you’d feel comfortable starting as your QB1. If you’re waiting on a quarterback beyond the top 15, the best values based on ADP are Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott, J.J. McCarthy, and Bryce Young. If you’re set on waiting, I’d be fine rolling into the season with Dak or Trevor as my QB1—provided you build a strong core in the first four rounds.

Beyond quarterbacks, running backs are going earlier than last year. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are both trending as first-round picks, and veteran backs like Kyren Williams, Chase Brown, Bucky Irving, and Josh Jacobs are getting ADP boosts in early drafts. This will naturally push wide receiver talent further down the board than usual, which is something to consider when mapping out your draft strategy or assessing trade values in existing leagues.

Best Value - WR Tee Higgins

Tee Higgins at WR15 stands out as a steal. With his impending free agency, it’s tough to see his value staying this low, especially if he lands in a strong offensive situation. Even if he stays in Cincinnati, he’s still a bargain at this ADP. Higgins has been a consistent producer when healthy, and regardless of his landing spot, his upside remains massive. Here are some destinations he could land in free agency.

Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Higgins have formed one of the best trios in the league, but the Bengals may struggle to afford him long-term. Even with another franchise tag possible, the long-term uncertainty makes this situation fluid.

New England Patriots

The Patriots need to build around Drake Maye, and Higgins would give him a true WR1. The cap space is there, but would Higgins want to sign with a rebuilding team?

Washington Commanders

Fresh off an NFC Championship appearance, Washington is in win-now mode. Pairing Higgins with Terry McLaurin would give Jayden Daniels an elite receiving duo, and the Commanders have the cap space to make it happen.

Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert needs more weapons, and the Chargers have over $70 million in cap space. Higgins and Ladd McConkey could form a dangerous tandem, making LA a logical landing spot.

Fantasy Impact

The Bengals are in a financial bind, making it difficult to retain both Higgins and Chase alongside Burrow’s massive contract. Even if Higgins stays in Cincinnati, he’s a value at his current ADP. If he lands elsewhere, his stock could skyrocket, making him an easy buy in dynasty leagues right now.

Dynasty Trade Market for Tee Higgins

Here’s how Tee Higgins is valued in dynasty trades:

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Tee Higgins FOR Jameson Williams/2025 1st

• Tee Higgins/2026 2nd FOR Rashee Rice/Brandon Aiyuk

• Tee Higgins FOR Jordan Addison/2025 3rd

• Tee Higgins FOR Kyren Williams/2025 3rd

• Tee Higgins FOR James Cook

• Tee Higgins FOR D’Andre Swift/Jaylen Waddle

• Tee Higgins/2025 1st FOR A.J. Brown/2025 2nd

• Tee Higgins/Bryce Young/2025 2nd FOR Puka Nacua/2025 3rd

• Tee Higgins FOR Zay Flowers/2025 3rd

• Tee Higgins FOR Diontae Johnson/Zay Flowers

Dynasty Sell Based On ADP - RB Chase Brown

Chase Brown sitting at RB12 is a clear sell. His late-season breakout pushed him up draft boards, but this ADP feels aggressive. He finished as a top-10 back down the stretch, but the Bengals still have Zack Moss under contract, and with a loaded 2025 draft class, Cincinnati could add to their backfield.

Brown is talented, but this is a classic case of selling high. You can likely tier down, collect more assets, and still find comparable production later in the draft. If you can flip Brown for a more stable asset or additional draft capital, now’s the time to cash in.

Dynasty Trade Market for Chase Brown

Here’s how Chase Brown is valued in dynasty trades:

Dynasty Trades (12 Team SF/TE Premium)

• Chase Brown/2025 3rd FOR 2025 1st

• Chase Brown/T.J. Hockenson FOR Sam LaPorta/James Conner

• Chase Brown FOR 2027 1st

• Chase Brown FOR Chris Godwin/2025 2nd

• Chase Brown/2025 2nd FOR Chris Olave/2025 1st

• Chase Brown FOR Jonathon Brooks/2025 1st

• Chase Brown/2025 2nd FOR Jaxon Smith-Njigba/Trey Benson

2025 Pick Values

Evaluating the value of 2025 picks compared to established dynasty assets isn’t an exact science, but it does provide a useful gauge for understanding how these picks are currently being valued in drafts. By looking at where individual picks are being selected in comparison to active players, we can better assess their trade market and strategize accordingly. Let’s break down the latest ADP trends for 2025 rookie picks and see how they stack up against proven dynasty assets.

1.01 = Nico Colllins, Saquon Barkley, Marvin Harrison Jr., Drake London

1.02 = Sam LaPorta, Jonathan Taylor, A.J. Brown, Bucky Irving

1.03 = Tee Higgins, Rashee Rice, Rome Odunze, Jared Goff

1.04 = Josh Jacobs, James Cook, Christian McCaffrey, Trevor Lawrence

1.05 = Dak Prescott, DeVonta Smith, Chase Brown, J.J. Mccarthy

Rounds 6-10: Value Hunting & Upside Plays