The Top 5 Sleeper Draft Picks in Dynasty Startups

If you’ve played redraft fantasy football most of your life, try dynasty on for size. You may not return to the redraft model. It’s that addicting and alluring.

The Top 5 Sleeper Draft Picks in Dynasty Startups

Between now and late summer, dynasty start-ups will get off the ground, and folks will look for an edge with sleeper selections. That is — players who can be obtained late in startup drafts for sweet value.

Consider these five candidates, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top dynasty sleeper pick in 2025)

5. Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE)

Team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 21
Average Draft Round in D-Startup: R18

Quarterback Bryce Young showed promising signs of development after leaving the midseason bench in 2024, leading to more optimism this offseason about this career trajectory.

If Young morphs into the real deal, pass-catchers like Sanders will eat. He fetched 322 receiving yards last season when Young turned it around and only has to dethrone Tommy Tremble this summer for TE1.

He’s worth the Round 18 flyer if you get stuck skimping on tight ends early in the draft, which happens to everybody at least once.

4. J.J. McCarthy (QB)

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age: 22
Average Draft Round in D-Startup: R14 (Non-SuperFlex)

The NFL world still thinks Aaron Rodgers might lead the Vikings in 2025, but soon, Minnesota will announce to the masses that McCarthy is “the guy.” It already cut Sam Darnold loose; Rodgers won’t get in the way.

Fantasy managers should pounce on the man who is about to benefit from Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason on Sundays.

In SuperFlex leagues, McCarthy can be chosen around Round 7, still a steal of a deal.

3. Isaac Guerendo (RB)

Team: San Francisco 49ers
Age: 24
Average Draft Round in D-Startup: R19

Speaking of Jordan Mason, the 49ers shipped him to the Vikings this week, nominating Guerendo for instant RB2 duty behind Christian McCaffrey.

And you know the drill — McCaffrey will get hurt because he’s old, and San Francisco’s offense will run through the next man up. With Mason gone, that’s Guerendo.

2. Jalen Coker (WR)

Team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 23
Average Draft Round in D-Startup: R18

Coke Heads already knows the deal with Coker. Adam Thielen will turn 35 this summer, Xavier Legette is a work in progress, and then that’s about it for wide receivers in Carolina.

Sniff some Coker in Round 18, and watch him build on 478 receiving yards in 11 games last year.

1. Trey Benson (RB)

Team: Arizona Cardinals 
Age: 21
Average Draft Round in D-Startup: R14

Some may not classify Benson as a true sleeper. But with his Round 14 dynasty startup status, that’s pretty damn sleepy.

Indeed, the Cardinals extended James Conner’s contract. Yet, Benson is one injury away from unabashed RB1 duty. He isn’t even 22 yet.

Benson tabulated 4.6 yards per carry as a rookie, and Conner won’t play forever. Get him.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.