In dynasty, everyone is always looking to dominate for years since it’s a never-ending league. Owners must remember that if they can win the league in year one, they’ll get the funds to finance their team for the next five to six years. While many prefer to stay balanced in winning now and looking toward the future, the win-now people take the significant risk to be the champ. This mock shows a breakdown of a draft on how to go about doing a mock draft as a win-now team. This strategy involved taking older players you know will produce in your league’s first season.
Round 1 (1.10) – JaMarr Chase, WR CIN
Potential options: CMC, AJ Brown, Jonathan Taylor
In my win-now approach, I wanted to grab players I know can help him get the crown in 2023 and help pay for future seasons. As I said, taking a running back, no matter which strategy is not a good idea in a startup draft. Snapping Chase here in round one this late is a steal and can happen in most Superflex startups. I choose Chase over Brown simply due to age.
Round 2 (2.03) – DeShaun Watson, QB, HOU
Potential options: Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, Amon-Ra St. Brown
In round two, I needed to ensure I got a QB1 for this team. Watson looked shaky last year, but after not playing for almost two years, that’s bound to happen. Watson has more upside than Prescott, so it was an easy decision. Murray was in play, but I couldn’t afford to have a player miss time because he is likely to miss time going into 2023.
Round 3 (3.10) – Mark Andrews, TE BAL
Potential options: Tua Tagovailoa, DK Metcalf, Davante Adams
In the third round, I want to ensure that many starters have an advantage over their league-mates. Andrews’ QB situation is concerning, but he is an elite player that can thrive with anyone. Tagovailoa was an option here, but there are slight concerns with the concussions that, in this strategy, I didn’t want to take that risk. Metcalf and Adams could have been taken, but Andrews is a different maker from six to seven fantasy to the ten-plus points Andrew brings.
Round 4 (4.03) – Nick Chubb, RB CLE
Potential options: Deebo Samuel, Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift
I selected Chubb, and he should be in for a fantastic season without Kareem Hunt there. Henry could have easily been this pick here, as we should assume one more elite season from him. Chubb is a few years younger, so making that decision was as I’d expect similar production for these two. Swift is too hard to trust, as the coaching staff doesn’t have complete faith. Chubb, as my RB1, is a solid option; he’ll bring a steady floor weekly.
Round 5 (5.10) – Kirk Cousins, QB MIN
Potential options: George Pickens, Russell Wilson, Aaron Jones
In the fifth round, I need to grab my second quarterback. I needed a stable quarterback room in a Superflex league. Cousins may not have the upside you want, but he brings consistent production and will be a more valuable QB2 than Russell Wilson. Pickens and Jones were also in consideration, but I’ll be hopeful one of them returns in the next round to me.
Round 6 (6.03) – Aaron Jones, RB GB
Potential options: DJ Moore, Treylon Burks, DeAndre Hopkins
Jones fell back to me in round six, which was fantastic. You see, I had good options at receiver that I could have grabbed. A receiver is deeper than a running back, so holding Jones as my RB2 was a great value. Rodgers will be gone, but Jones should still be a significant component of this offense. His upside may be limited without Rodgers, but as my RB2, he should bring a solid floor game weekly. At this point, I have two solid RBs & QBs, elite TE, and one of the best WRs in dynasty.
Round 7 (7.10) – Christian Kirk, WR JAX
Potential options: Keenan Allen Diontae Johnson, Jahan Dotson
In round seven, it was time to build my receiver core. Kirk had a breakout 2022 season as the team’s WR1. The arrival of Calvin Ridley should only help Kirk’s production with fewer double coverages and focus on the defense. He has another big season ahead of him, giving me some young veteran exposure. Johnson and Dotson have inexperienced quarterback play, and Allen is hitting 30 this year.
Round 8 (8.03) – Mike Williams, WR LAC
Potential options: David Montgomery, Mike Evans, Tyler Allgeier
In the eighth round, I selected my third receiver. I could have snagged a running back, as Montgomery and Allgeier were both solid options, but I wanted to fill out my starting lineup. Williams is attached to a high-power offense with Justin Herbert. Williams has another good season ahead of him in 2023 that should help me be successful. He is older than we would like, but we care more about what he can do for us this year.
Round 9 (9.10) – Khalil Herbert, RB CHI
Potential options: Antonio Gibson, Elijah Moore, DPJ
I considered taking Elijah Moore in round nine since he is on the Browns now for that upside play. I chose Herbert here because I like him as the 1A for the Bears’ run game. D’Onta Foreman will eat into Herbert’s share, but he’ll surely be the back. Herbert showed in the limited starting opportunity that he could carry a heavy workload. The Bears will give Herbert a chance to be the guy for them, and he has proven he can be. Gibson could be the better back here, but the Commanders don’t trust him enough.
Round 10 (10.03) – Elijah Moore, WR CLE
Potential options: Darnell Mooney, Michael Thomas, WanDale Robinson
I’m taking that upside play with Moore into the double-digit rounds. Mooney’s situation has changed so much with DJ Moore in town. I don’t see Mooney being a consistent fantasy option in a run-first team. Michael Thomas hasn’t played an entire season in three years, and Robinson has a lot of competition at receiver now. Moore can start in the slot or outside and be paired with my QB1 on this team.
Round 11 (11.10) – Jamaal Williams, RB NO
Potential options: Damien Harris, Romeo Doubs, Brandin Cooks
In round 11, this was tough since I do like Harris this season to be productive and Cooks as a solid WR5, but Williams has ample opportunity; it takes a lot of work to pass on. Williams may not see 18 touchdowns again, but he should be the 1B on this team that likes to use multiple backs. Kamara’s off-field situation could force Williams into the starter for most of the season. He has shown to be a double-digit fantasy option when given a workload. I want players who have upside playing time value in these later rounds.
Round 12 (12.03) – Brandin Cooks, WR DAL
Potential options: Rondale Moore, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Michael Gallup
You can always find wide receiver gems late in startup drafts. Brandin Cooks has a solid shot to be the WR2 for the Cowboys and be very productive. Cooks has been Mr. consistent in his career and has proven to work in any offense with any quarterback. As my WR5, he’ll bring flex appeal weekly with a team that has lost over 150 targets this offseason. Cooks is more trusted than anyone remaining.
Round 13 (13.10) – Jordan Love, QB GB
Potential options: Rashaad Penny, Kenny Gainwell, Jerick McKinnon
No matter the strategy I use in a startup, I always grab three quarterbacks. Love is expected to be the new starter for the Green Bay Packers. He was raw coming into the league but sitting behind a hall-of-fame quarterback has to have learned the game. He’ll have enough weapons and a strong run game to be a solid QB3.
Round 14 (14.03) – KJ Osborn, WR MIN
Potential options: Tyler Boyd, Rasheem Mostert, Corderelle Patterson
As a win-now team, you must take a few shots of upside to pair with elite floor plays. Osborn has gotten better every year since joining the league. Now that Adam Theilen is gone, Osborn should step up as the number WR2 on the team. Thanks to Justin Jefferson on the other side, Osborn should see plenty of one and one opportunities. Osborn is a better win-now option than some of the potential players available.
Round 15 (15.10) – Samaje Perine, RB DEN
Potential options: Isaiah Hodgins, James Robinson, Kyren Williams
Perine has an upside in 2023. Perine has a good shot to start the season’s first six to eight games. He is a perfect depth piece running back that will help you during bye weeks as you try to win your league. He could bring good value to your team as a fantasy owner by being traded if needed.
For a win-now team, I love what they can offer for 2023. You’ll need to win the league, as only three players are under 25. Chase, Moore, and Herbert are the only ones under 25, so my future is cloudy, but that’s how this strategy works. I prefer a nice mix of young and old players, but this team is exciting.
| QB | DeShaun Watson | |
| RB | Nick Chubb | Khalil Herbert |
| RB | Aaron Jones | Jamaal Williams |
| WR | Ja’Marr Chase | Elijah Moore |
| WR | Christian Kirk | KJ Osborn |
| WR | Mike Williams | |
| TE | Mark Andrews | |
| Flex | Brandin Cooks | Samaje Perine |
| SF | Kirk Cousins | Jordan Love |
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