👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Way Too Early Dynasty Mock Draft Analysis - Rounds 4-6

Dynasty leagues offer a fun twist of fantasy football in which owners retain most, if not all of their players from year to year. This creates a greater sense of pride and ownership as you carry many of the same players for multiple seasons.

Of course, you've got to make sure you have a core of players you actually want to carry for years and years. If you end up with a roster saddled with aging, injured veterans and young, inconsistent newcomers, your roster will lean more toward "rebuilding" than "dynasty." That's where the initial startup draft comes into play.

Twelve of RotoBaller's finest contributors gathered for a dynasty startup mock draft. Over the next week, we'll break it down round-by-round, continuing with the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds in this article. Check out our earlier recaps of round one, and rounds 2-3 to see how this draft progressed.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Round 4

Incoming rookies were popular in the fourth round. Smith-Schuster, Davis and Fournette marked the first three picks of the round, with Williams coming later on. Much like in the actual NFL, rookies are unknown commodities. There's significant risk, but also significant upside, particularly in a dynasty league, where youth and potential are valuable assets.

This round also featured plenty of familiar names from the fantasy world, including LeSean McCoy, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and Lamar Miller. Terrelle Pryor parlayed his breakout season with the Browns into a one-year deal with Washington, a move that boosts his fantasy value. Alshon Jeffery's move to Philadelphia hurts Jordan Matthews' value.

Rodgers and Carr were the first two quarterbacks off the board, while Hunter Henry and Travis Kelce were the third and fourth tight ends selected, respectively. This was the most balanced round, with five wide receivers, three running backs, two quarterbacks and two tight ends taken.

 

Round 5

Wideouts, wideouts, wideouts. The fifth round was heavy on veteran pass-catchers and, unlike the previous round, featured no incoming rookies. Sterling Shepard's selection kicked off a run of five straight wide receivers to open the round.

Tate, Edelman and Crabtree are all proven, if aging, commodities, while Shepard, Hill and Crowder are promising young players. Josh Doctson is a wild card, but he's still young enough to carry value.

Four running backs (Prosise, Coleman, Hyde, Henry) and one quarterback (Luck) also went in the fifth round. No major surprises among that group -- all are in their 20s and have promising careers ahead.

 

Round 6

Back to the incoming rookies! McCaffrey and Mixon led off the sixth round, with Ross coming just two picks later. This round featured a decent number of proven veteran performers, including DeMarco Murray, Emmanuel Sanders, Cam Newton and Randall Cobb.

Britt, like Pryor, also changed teams in the offseason, but it's difficult to get excited about his move to Cleveland. Tyler Eifert (injuries) and Martavis Bryant (suspension) are intriguing picks, as is Rishard Matthews, who finished with nine touchdown receptions last season.

Overall, the sixth round featured six wide receivers, four running backs, one quarterback and one tight end.

 

Best Picks

Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU) #39 overall

Fournette's value is going to depend on his landing spot in April's draft. If he ends up somewhere like, say, Carolina, that figures to boost his value. If he lands with a team like the New York Jets, well ... that won't boost his value.

Given the immediate rookie success of Ezekiel Elliott this past season, Fournette is sure to be a popular pick in most fantasy drafts. But that's particularly true in a dynasty league, where you can control him for years to come. At 39th overall, I like the value.

Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL) #55 overall

Coleman showed this past season that he can provide serious fantasy value while splitting the backfield touches with Devonta Freeman. Coleman will be 24 at the start of the 2017 season, which could be Freeman's last in Atlanta, if he ends up leaving as a free agent.

If that were to happen, Coleman's value would skyrocket as the primary back in Atlanta's offense. If Freeman stays, then maybe Coleman leaves for a starting job elsewhere after 2018. Or perhaps the two remain a productive tandem in Atlanta. No matter what, landing a dynamic, 24-year-old running back with the 55th pick is a win-win.

Cam Newton (QB, CAR) #71 overall

It was an ugly season for Newton in 2016. And, yet, his season wasn't actually that bad. The expectations for Newton coming off his historic MVP season in 2015 were sky-high, so it's not shocking he suffered from regression.

He's a prime bounce-back candidate in 2017 and beyond. Newton, despite playing six seasons in the NFL, will only be 28 when the upcoming season begins. He still boasts elite rushing ability, which further adds to his fantasy value. He's a solid pick as the fourth quarterback (and 71st player overall) off the board.

 

Biggest Reaches

JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, USC) #37 overall

I'll say it again -- drafting rookies is an inexact science. Smith-Schuster certainly could become a great NFL wide receiver. But is worth a top-40 overall pick? It's difficult to support that decision. He was the first rookie wideout selected, ahead of guys like Davis, Williams and Ross, among others that have similar, if not higher, consensus grades.

Also, when's the last time a USC wide receiver excelled for an extended period of time in the NFL? I'll wait... The answer? Keyshawn Johnson. That's not totally fair to Smith-Schuster, who could end up being great, but it's worth noting nonetheless.

Joe Mixon (RB, OKLA) #62 overall

This is a pick that is sure to draw some attention. If Mixon had no off-field issues, this would be a fine selection. But Mixon carries serious baggage stemming from a 2014 assault incident. That baggage is so heavy, in fact, that it kept him from participating in the NFL scouting combine.

Mixon performed well at Oklahoma's pro day, but there's still some major question marks. Will he slip in the draft, and if so, how far? Will he able to avoid trouble in the NFL? Will he be worth the 62nd overall pick in this mock draft? The answers to all of those questions remain unclear.

Kenny Britt (WR, CLE) #67 overall

I must admit, I wasn't a big fan of this selection when Britt was still with the Los Angeles Rams. Now that he's with Cleveland, I like it even less. It's a total head-scratcher for Britt, who has played with a series of underwhelming quarterbacks in his eight-year career with Tennessee and Los Angeles.

Now, he finally has a choice to choose his team in free agency, and he settles on Cleveland and ... Cody Kessler? Kevin Hogan? Someone else? Sure, maybe Cleveland lands Jimmy Garoppolo, Britt becomes a go-to target and this pick turns into a steal. But for now, I'm going to assume the Browns remain a fantasy wasteland.

 

Conclusion

Let's take a closer look at the numbers. Of the 36 players selected in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds of RotoBaller's dynasty startup mock draft, 18 were wide receivers, 11 were running backs, four were quarterbacks and three were tight ends. There were seven incoming rookies selected, compared to just three players who will be 30 or older at the start of the 2017 season (Rodgers, Edelman, Sanders).

That latter statistic isn't entirely surprising for a dynasty mock draft. When building a roster for the long haul, it's ideal to have players that will provide value not only for the immediate season, but future seasons to come.

Free agency is barely a week old, and the NFL draft is still more than a month away, so a lot can change between now and the regular-season opener on Sept. 7. But hey, who doesn't love a good mock draft?

Be sure to follow along with the rest of our round-by-round analysis throughout the week.

 

More 2017 Mock Drafts & Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Devin Booker

Suns Not Interested in Trading Devin Booker
Terrence Shannon Jr.

Starting in Game 6
Jonathan Isaac

Unlikely to Return Friday
Kevin Huerter

Could Miss Another Game Friday
Aaron Gordon

Remains Sidelined Thursday
Kyle Anderson

Misses Game 6 Due to Illness
Ayo Dosunmu

Won't Play Thursday Night
Joel Embiid

Good to Go for Game 6
Tobias Harris

Lands on Injury Report Due to Ankle Sprain
Franz Wagner

Won't Play Friday
Brandon Ingram

Iffy for Friday's Action
Kevin Durant

Listed as Doubtful for Game 6
Bones Hyland

Cleared for Game 6
Josh Hart

Ready to Rock Thursday
Brandon Woodruff

to Get Some Time Off
Nikita Chibrikov

Recovering From Core-Muscle Surgery
WPG

Elias Salomonsson Out 5-6 Months After Shoulder Surgery
Radko Gudas

Remains Out Thursday
Tyler Myers

Scratched on Thursday
Michael Bunting

Arttu Hyry Unavailable Thursday, Michael Bunting Makes Postseason Debut
Bobby Brink

to Sit Out Thursday's Game 6
Jonas Brodin

Will Miss Game 6 Against Stars
Myles Murphy

Bengals Don't Pick Up Myles Murphy's Fifth-Year Option
Jack Campbell

Lions Decline Jack Campbell's Fifth-Year Option
Lukas Van Ness

Packers Pick Up Fifth-Year Option for Lukas Van Ness
Calais Campbell

Returning to Ravens on One-Year Deal
Michael Harris II

Could be Forced to the Injured List
Makai Lemon

Signs Four-Year Rookie Deal With Eagles
George Kittle

Trying to Return in Week 1
Chris Rodriguez Jr.

to Lead the Jaguars in Carries?
Diego Pavia

Ravens Sign Former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia
Emmett Johnson

Chiefs "Super High" on Emmett Johnson
Ty Simpson

Met With Sean McVay Before the Draft
Jonah Coleman

has Clear "Three-Down Potential" in Denver's Offense
Austin Ekeler

100 Percent Medically Cleared for Football Activities
Darius Slayton

Undergoes Core-Muscle Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Camp
Keaton Mitchell

Dynasty Value Rising Heading into 2026
Jadarian Price

Not Expected to Lead Seahawks' Backfield Right Away
Isaiah Bond

Dynasty Value Fading Following NFL Draft
James Cook

Can James Cook Continue to Ascend in 2026 and Beyond?
Lamar Jackson

Remains an Elite Dynasty Quarterback Despite Injury-Marred 2025
Kyle Williams

' Dynasty Value Limited by Uncertain Role in New England
Luis Robert Jr.

Officially Placed on Injured List
Isaac TeSlaa

Still a Dynasty Depth Piece Worth Holding
Pat Bryant

Still a Quality Buy-Low Despite Crowded Broncos Receiver Room
Clayton Keller

Sets Up Two Goals Wednesday Night
Pavel Dorofeyev

Nets Special Hat Trick in Game 5 Win
Dan Vladar

Backstops Flyers to Series-Clinching Win
Leon Draisaitl

Oilers to Use Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on Same Line Thursday
Brady Tkachuk

Remains Committed to Senators
Arttu Hyry

Could Be Available Thursday
James Harden

Contributes in All Areas Wednesday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Plays Key Role in Game 5 Win
RJ Barrett

Records First Double-Double of the Season
Austin Reaves

Contributes 22 Points Off the Bench in Game 5 Loss
LeBron James

Regains Scoring Touch Wednesday
Paolo Banchero

Scores 45 Points in Game 5 Loss
Cade Cunningham

Helps Pistons Survive With 45-Point Effort
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Wednesday's Game With Hamstring Tightness
MLB

Phillies-Giants Postponed on Wednesday Due to Rain
Nils Lundkvist

to Remain Out Thursday
Jonas Brodin

Uncertain for Game 6
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Wednesday
Noah Ostlund

Set to Miss "a Period of Time"
Viktor Arvidsson

Doubtful for Game 6 Against Sabres
Barrett Hayton

Close to Returning
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
MLB

Orioles-Astros Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather on Wednesday
Gary Woodland

Riding Momentum Into Cadillac Championship
Jordan Spieth

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Cadillac Championship
Adam Scott

Looks Poised for Another Strong Finish at Doral
Maverick McNealy

Needs Approach Game to Click at Doral
George Springer

Being Activated From Injured List, Won't Start on Wednesday
Wyatt Langford

Expected to be Activated on Saturday
Garrett Crochet

Goes on Injured List With Shoulder Inflammation
CFB

Jameson Williams Files Lawsuit Against NCAA, SEC, Big Ten
Junior Caminero

Back in Wednesday's Lineup After Injury Scare
Harry Hall

Volatility Continues at Cadillac Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Looks to Rebound at Trump National Doral
Pierceson Coody

a Risky Value Play at Cadillac Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Offers Upside with Risk at Cadillac Championship
Connor McDavid

Extends Multi-Point Streak Tuesday
Justin Thomas

a Scary Proposition at Cadillac Championship
Scottie Scheffler

The Leading Favorite at Cadillac Championship
Collin Morikawa

Still a Smash Play at Cadillac Championship
Viktor Hovland

Showed at Augusta He Can Finish Well
Sepp Straka

Attempting to Finish Better in Miami
PGA

J.J Spaun Enduring Roller Coaster Start to 2026
Min Woo Lee

Seeks to Make Adjustments at Cadillac Championship
Max Homa

May Struggle at Old Doral This Weekend
Ben Griffin

Rebounds From Rough Stretch as Miami Looms
Shane Lowry

Searching For Answers at Cadillac Championship
Russell Henley

Daunting Test at Doral Likely Not a Place For Russell Henley
Justin Rose

Returns to Action After Finishing Third at Masters Tournament
Hideki Matsuyama

Has The Approach Game to Win at Cadillac Championship
Junior Caminero

Suffers Jaw Contusion on Tuesday, Considered Day-to-Day
Pete Fairbanks

Going on Injured List With Nerve Irritation
Spencer Strider

to Make Season Debut This Weekend
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Tuesday With Back Tightness
Juan Soto

Dealing With Forearm Tightness, Serving as DH on Tuesday
CFB

Brendan Sorsby Facing Potential Permanent Loss of Eligibility
Manny Machado

Departs Early With Undisclosed Injury on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Fire Manager Rob Thomson
Elmer Rodríguez

Yankees to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Elmer Rodriguez
Pete Fairbanks

Pulled on Monday With "Unusual Sensation" in his Thumb
Giancarlo Stanton

Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
Travis Bazzana

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
Carson Hocevar

Scores his First Career NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Misses out on Winning at Talladega by Finishing Second
Alex Bowman

Earns First Top-Five Finish at Talladega Since Returning From Injury
Chase Elliott

Scores A Fourth-Place Finish at Talladega
Zane Smith

Nabs First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at Talladega
CFB

Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Enters Rehab
Youssef Zalal

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Aljamain Sterling

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Norma Dumont

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Scores Upset Win
Alexander Hernandez

Gets Dominated
Alexander Hernandez

Rafa Garcia Dominates Alexander Hernandez
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Gets Back In The Win Column
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF