Comparing 2023 Picks to Start-Up Picks

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The 2023 rookie class is widely considered to be excellent. What is the highest round pick in a startup draft that you would consider trading straight up for a 2023 first-rounder? What is the minimum round pick in a startup draft that you would need straight up to trade away your 2023 first-rounder?

Jason Wood

Depending on how the draft unfolded, I could see giving up my 2023 first-rounder for a fourth or fifth-round pick in a startup draft, but no later.

Andy Hicks

I would always take the bird in the hand rather than the two in the bush. Every year, top prospects for the next draft class get injured or disappoint. Guys come out of nowhere. If I can significantly improve my roster by trading a 2023 pick this year, sign me up. Knowing that others will value my 2023 picks, they won’t be traded away lightly. Putting numbers or rounds on it is difficult when the offers are unique in their way.

Dan Hindery

For me, the fair market value of a 2023 first-rounder is a sixth-round pick in a Superflex startup and a fifth-round pick in a non-Superflex startup. Ideally, I would like to pick up a future first for trading down, not giving up a startup pick in a one-for-one deal, but if someone offered me a future first for my seventh-round startup pick, that is when I would pull the trigger. I would be very hesitant to trade away my 2023 first-round pick (especially since I typically draft a young team), so it would take a fourth- or fifth-round pick startup pick to grab my interest.

Christian Williams

While it's important to understand that class strengths vary considerably with injuries, non-declares, and unforeseen circumstances, the 2023 class looks like one of the strongest in the last five years. Because of that, I wouldn't be too eager to give up my 2023 first-rounder. It's difficult to put a round on it, as each board falls differently depending on scoring settings, but it would likely take at least a third-round startup pick for me to consider parting ways with my future pick.

Jordan McNamara

I have actively shopped a future first for a top 30 or 40 overall pick at a premium position straight up in multiple startup drafts this season with no luck. Trading any pick outside the top 75 in a startup draft for a first-round pick is a good value opportunity, especially when you can get a mid-round pick back in return.

Jeff Bell

In a one-quarterback format, I would first consider trading an early to mid-third-round pick for 2023. That likely seems crazy, but I have one goal in a startup, to accrue a roster full of players that will increase in value. The 2023 class is exceptional, with players like Bijan Robinson and Kayshon Boutte who could immediately threaten for top-five Dynasty positional value. Many positions are starting to age with enough uncertainty to allow them to claim those spots. I would need a second-round pick to trade my 2023 first. The timing of the calendar also plays a factor; as players like Robinson perform in college and dynasty teams fall back, the value of the picks will rise.

Gary Davenport

I know I'm in the minority in this regard, but I'm the guy in dynasty leagues who keeps flipping rookie picks for veterans. I think some dynasty managers become so focused on two or three years down the road that they sacrifice the opportunity to win, you know, now. If I'm drafting a startup, I'm assuming my 2023 pick will be in the back half of the round. So if I can trade that "maybe" pick for a guy I know can help my team now, then I'll do it without hesitation. Anything in the first five rounds would probably get it done, and I might even go a round or two later, depending on how the startup pans out.

Will Grant

First-round picks in any year are considered a premium in dynasty leagues - simply because you have the biggest opportunity to land the rookie with the right team and opportunity. But aside from the talent, the rookie does need to land at the right spot. We've seen plenty of talented guys take a hit in their draft stock due to their situation. Jalen Tolbert would have been a much more attractive rookie had he not landed in Dallas behind CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. So it's hard to give up anything substantial for a 1st round pick. I'd sell any pick below the sixth to acquire a 2023 first-rounder and buy from anyone who offered a fifth-round pick or higher for my 2023 first-round pick.

Kevin Coleman

As a devy analyst, the 2023 class is one I have a reasonably good grasp on. Right now, we are looking at the top eight players in the 2023 class who could all be drafted in the top five rounds of dynasty startups next season. That’s how loaded the class is, and that’s before any potential breakouts this college football season. I would give up at least a late third-round pick in a startup draft to acquire a 2023 first. As a dynasty manager, you should be looking to acquire value through players and picks. A 2023 first will only accumulate in value as the season progresses, allowing flexibility in potential trades. Based on the 2023 class, it would take a second-round startup pick for me to feel comfortable trading away a 2023 first.

Ben Cummins

I agree the 2023 rookie class is extremely exciting. I’m willing to consider up to a third-round startup pick for a 2023 first-rounder. Footballguys consensus dynasty rankings currently have J.K. Dobbins, Alvin Kamara, Travis Etienne, George Kittle, etc. as third-rounders. I would consider trading all of them for the chance at being able to draft a generational prospect next Summer or being able to trade the pick later for a massive haul. On the flip side, I would need at least a fifth-round start-up pick to even consider trading my 2023 first-rounder.

Craig Lakins

I'd likely give up my sixth-round pick in a start-up for a 2023 first. It can become a balancing act because you want the asset you acquire to be a high draft pick, but by giving the other team a good startup pick, you're helping to make them better and lowering their rookie draft slot. Regarding my future first-rounder, I'd be unlikely to move it for less than a fifth-round pick.