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Scott Engel provides selected dynasty fantasy football startup draft decisions for 2025. He spotlights key draft battles and player comparison for dynasty leagues. Read about Omarion Hampton, Bucky Irving, Jayden Daniels, more.
As August approaches, the fantasy football draft season is underway, and many participants are joining startup dynasty leagues. In the early rounds of 2025 dynasty drafts, you are going to face some tough decisions. Taking the younger player of two possible picks isn’t the simple and only method of deciding when you are on the clock and faced with a challenging draft day decision. While in concept, taking the younger player of two fits the general dynasty draft strategy approach, other factors must be taken into consideration when evaluating two closely valued players. If one player is more established and proven, consider them the preferred pick.
In dynasty fantasy football, the goal is not just to build the best team to be successful in the long term, but also to win this year and in seasons in the near future. A balanced approach to constructing a dynasty roster is the most effective strategy, considering both the short-term and long-term implications.
In this helpful fantasy football guide for making important calls on dynasty draft day, we share some highlighted decisions to consider. The players featured here are based on the updated dynasty fantasy football rankings on RotoBaller.com. Enter promo code KING at checkout for an additional discount on the RotoBaller Fantasy Football Season Pass.
Editor's Note: RotoBaller’s Dynasty content delivers year-round dynasty fantasy football rankings, trade advice, rookie analysis, and player outlooks. Build a title-winning roster with sleepers, stash targets, and our full dynasty fantasy football guide.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Dilemmas: Who Wins In The Close Calls?
Malik Nabers, WR - NYG (ranked No. 3 overall) vs. CeeDee Lamb, WR - DAL (ranked No. 4 overall)
Our experts consider several factors when determining their rankings. The Giants’ new star is certainly ranked higher because of a five-year age difference (Nabers is 21, Lamb is 26). But while Nabers can be a dynasty franchise cornerstone for years to come, Lamb is much more established as a top-level WR and gives you the better chance to win now.
When considering dynasty draft targets, many fantasy leaguers aim to maximize a player's seasons rather than focusing on more authentic windows of true impact. I tend to consider the outlooks of players in three- to four-year ranges, rather than just taking the younger player. I want to win now as well as in the future.
Lamb has the better quarterback situation with Dak Prescott healthy again and plays in a more effective passing offense.
Jaxson Dart might need at least two seasons to help Nabers reach his true ceiling. It’s a close call for sure, but with an eye on now and the future, Lamb gets the nod here. If you decide to opt for Nabers, though, they are both ranked next to each other, so I wouldn’t argue vehemently against it.
Verdict: Lamb over Nabers
Ashton Jeanty is projected to have a BIG rookie season 📈 pic.twitter.com/mzBGq6IMzW
— PFF (@PFF) July 13, 2025
Ashton Jeanty, RB - LV (ranked No. 8 overall) vs. Brock Bowers, TE - LV (ranked No. 9 overall)
In some dynasty startup drafts, Jeanty will be taken earlier than Bowers because of some high expectations that he can quickly emerge as an elite running back. But Bowers has already shown he can be super productive at the thinnest position in fantasy football. If you pass on him in the first round, there may not be another chance to land one of the top two TEs, depending on where you are drafting.
This is a very challenging call, as Jeanty can stabilize your RB spot as an anchor for years to come. But Bowers might follow Travis Kelce as a TE who remains at a top spot at his position for a long time, too. Both are great ideal picks, but considering the position scarcity of the TE position, I have a slight lean to Bowers.
Durability is also more of a general injury concern at RB than TE, too.
By the way, when was the last time you saw two Raiders players ranked in the top 10? Wish I could get Pete Carroll on the line to help me make this decision, but I’ll make it myself.
Verdict: Bowers over Jeanty
One thing I like about Jayden Daniels is that you can see him learning from his mistakes.
Earlier in the game, he took off running instead of getting to the backside dig
Here, he hits it to Nabers with good anticipation and placement pic.twitter.com/mGwi1Krv2I
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) February 23, 2024
Josh Allen, QB - BUF (ranked No. 22 overall) vs. Jayden Daniels, QB - WSH (ranked No. 23 overall)
Allen is the true No. 1 QB in fantasy football, yet Daniels might push him for the spot very soon. The quickly rising Washington standout finished as QB5 in his rookie season, and when such a talented QB delivers a highly impressive campaign, the potential upside naturally excites fantasy players.
However, Daniels still needs to build on what he demonstrated last season to a certain degree, as opposing defensive staffs, especially in his division, may have already spent significant time studying more footage of him. Defenses will adjust to the Washington QB in his second season. While it’s legitimate to expect him to overcome a potential sophomore jinx, we cannot solidly forecast a surefire excellent second season.
The 24-year-old Daniels is five years younger than Allen. The age of 29, however, is not quite “old” for a QB, and you can still get three to four more years of elite fantasy play from Allen. The Buffalo standout has started 114 consecutive regular season games, so durability is another one of his established pluses. There are always at least minor injury concerns for running QBs.
One significant factor in Allen’s favor is that he finished as a top two fantasy QB in each of the last five seasons. He is one of the safest picks for outstanding annual production in any format. Since my style is not to play for seven to 10 years down the line, I will definitely draft Allen over any other QB again. I would still draft Lamar Jackson over Daniels, too, as he is a year younger than Allen.
Daniels can undoubtedly give you a few more years than Allen, but I want the safer pick over the next three seasons. Some will indeed draft Daniels first at QB in a more aggressive move. That would be more understandable in larger-field leagues and contests, such as the NFFC or FFPC. But he does have to elude the sophomore jinx before being rewarded with a firmer top 2-3 QB outlook.
Verdict: Allen over Daniels, decisively
Inspired by @scotteTheKing revealing Bucky Irving as his RB4 on @RotoBallerRadio - I wanted to do a deeper dive!
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) July 14, 2025
Omarion Hampton, RB - LAC (ranked No. 25 overall) vs. Bucky Irving, RB - TB (ranked No. 30 overall)
Outside of Jeanty, Hampton is the most coveted RB in dynasty leagues. He’s a power back who will run with a lot of determination on an offense that will clearly favor the run. Irving, however, is one of my very personal favorites, and he is just in his second year. This is an interesting choice between a rookie and a second-year player.
Both RBs are 22 years old, and Hampton has yet to actually carry the ball in the NFL. Meanwhile, Irving showed off tantalizing promise in his rookie campaign and is now ticketed to be the lead RB for a potent Tampa Bay offense. He is a lot of fun to watch if you are not rooting for the opposing team.
I enjoy watching Irving because as he racks up fantasy points, the new Buccaneers' top RB demonstrates excellent vision, elusiveness, and the ability to juke, as well as the gears to outrun defenders when he reaches the second level. I may be more excited about Irving than any other fantasy player right now. In seasonal leagues, he is my RB4 overall.
Verdict: Irving over Hampton
Rome Odunze, WR - CHI (ranked No. 38 overall) vs. DK Metcalf, WR - PIT (ranked No. 39 overall)
Odunze is a widely touted second-year WR who is getting much backing as a possible breakout player in 2025. The Bears have upgraded their offensive outlook from the personnel and coaching perspectives.
Metcalf is an established No. 1 WR who won’t have much apparent proven competition at WR for targets. Many fantasy managers will expect him to potentially receive more volume. Metcalf is 27 years old, which means some might anticipate him delivering the best years of his career over the next three seasons or so.
This decision is less about age than it is about shorter-term impact, which does have an important place in dynasty evaluations. Metcalf is coming off a disappointing season and hasn’t always met high expectations. Switching from Geno Smith to post-prime Aaron Rodgers as his QB is no clear upgrade. Odunze didn’t perform as hoped in his rookie season, but now he will see more opportunities as a definite starter in an improving offense.
Verdict: Odunze over Metcalf
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