April is all about the NFL Draft and upcoming rookie drafts. It is also the month startup season finally starts kicking into higher gear. One of the biggest challenges at this time of year is trying to anticipate the most likely draft outcomes and how those picks will impact the value of players on your roster. Smartly managing that risk versus reward proposition is the easiest way to get a leg up on the competition this month.
In this month’s dynasty trade value, we will go deeper on:
1. The lay of the land as we head into rookie drafts
2. Pro day standouts
3. How to value Deshaun Watson
4. Quarterbacks entering make or break seasons
5. Free agency winners and losers
6. Players most likely to be impacted by drafted competition
The dynasty trade value chart is tailored to 12-team PPR leagues a starting lineup of one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, and one flex. It now also includes trade values for Superflex leagues in a separate column. The chart is meant to serve primarily as a guide for trades but can also be a great resource during startup drafts. If the players and picks on each side of the trade offer add up to approximately the same number, the trade would be considered even. If you receive a trade offer that sends you players with a higher total number value than the players you are giving up, the offer is worth strongly considering. Each league is different, so pay close attention to the scoring and starting roster requirements specific to your league.
2021 Rookie Pick Values
| Pick | One QB | Superflex |
| 1.01 | 30 | 45 |
| 1.02 | 28 | 32 |
| 1.03 | 26 | 30 |
| 1.04 | 24 | 28 |
| 1.05 | 21 | 26 |
| 1.06 | 18 | 25 |
| 1.07 | 16 | 24 |
| 1.08 | 14 | 21 |
| 1.09 | 12 | 18 |
| 1.10 | 11 | 17 |
| 1.11 | 10 | 16 |
| 1.12 | 10 | 15 |
| 2.01 | 9 | 14 |
| 2.02 | 9 | 12 |
| 2.03 | 8 | 11 |
| 2.04 | 8 | 10 |
| 2.05 | 7 | 10 |
| 2.06 | 7 | 9 |
| 2.07 | 7 | 9 |
| 2.08 | 6 | 8 |
| 2.09 | 6 | 8 |
| 2.10 | 6 | 7 |
| 2.11 | 5 | 7 |
| 2.12 | 5 | 7 |
Lay of the Land heading into the draft
The top end of this rookie class is as talented as any in recent memory, especially in Superflex leagues. If your dynasty roster needs a young quarterback, this is the year to make landing one a priority. Future drafts will not have elite options like the 2021 draft does.
There are five quarterbacks likely to go in the Top 10 overall. At least three of them have significant rushing upside (Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance). Each of these top guys has done nothing but check off boxes throughout the pre-draft process. There is a good chance that at this time next year, three or more rookie quarterbacks from this class will be going in the first couple rounds of Superflex startups. Davis Mills and Kellen Mond are also generating some buzz as Day 2 options and we saw how taking a chance on guys like that in rookie drafts can pay off last year (Jalen Hurts).
We should see at least three running backs in the first two rounds. Each of them are above-average pass catchers too. As with the rushing quarterbacks, the potential three-down back skill set of the top guys adds to the dynasty upside. Expect each of the top three to instantly rank as Top 20 dynasty backs.
This is another deep wide receiver class, especially for teams looking to add speed. And these days, that describes just about every franchise in the NFL. Ja'Marr Chase could quickly challenge his former teammate, Justin Jefferson, for overall dynasty WR1 status.
Kyle Pitts is the obvious headliner and may be the highest-drafted tight end in rookie drafts in recent history. Pitts gets all of the attention, but do not forget about Pat Freiermuth. He should be a Top 50 pick and could quickly become a Top 15 dynasty player at the position.
Pro Day Standouts
Justin Fields blazed a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, showing just how massive his fantasy upside is if he puts it all together. Matt Waldman made a Josh Allen comparison for Fields, which seems apt. He has all of the physical tools but is not a finished product. Allen made big leaps after hitting the NFL and we need to see if Fields can do the same.
Justin Fields put on a show at his pro day, giving the 49ers a glimpse of what their future could be (via @Schrock_And_Awe)https://t.co/VR3Q9sSR0T pic.twitter.com/nI4YXPCSrd
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) March 30, 2021
- Ja’Marr Chase was absurdly productive as a 19-year old in the SEC. He also put together some of the most impressive all-around workout numbers we’ve seen from a wide receiver since Julio Jones.
Pending official numbers from @LSUfootball pro day...
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 31, 2021
Ja'Marr Chase (4.38 40-time) is the only wide receiver in the Next Gen Stats model dataset — since the 2003 NFL Draft — with a production and athleticism score over 95.
🔹 Production: 98
🔹 Athleticism: 96*
🔹 Overall: 99 pic.twitter.com/SFyYtCnYJk
- Kyle Pitts looks like a freak on the field. It is always nice when testing numbers can confirm what we are seeing with our eyes. That was certainly the case at Florida’s pro day.
Kyle Pitts put his elite athleticism on display at his Pro Day. 📊@kylepitts__ | @GatorsFB pic.twitter.com/TPI8aiu6Of
— NFL (@NFL) April 1, 2021
- Travis Etienne is explosive. We knew that before he ran a 4.40-second forty-yard dash at Clemson’s pro day. Sometimes it feels like Etienne has been on the dynasty radar so long that we take him for granted. Don’t forget this is a big-time prospect who could easily be going in the first round of dynasty startups next offseason.
RB Travis Etienne with a blazing 4.40u 40-yard dash 🔥 (via @accnetwork)@swaggy_t1 | @ClemsonFB pic.twitter.com/JzGQLoSsuZ
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2021
- The two rookies who seem to be flying under the radar way more than they should be are Elijah Moore and Kadarius Toney. These guys were both extremely productive in the SEC last season and are freaky athletes. Elijah Moore ran a 4.35-second forty-yard dash at Mississippi’s pro day. He is almost as athletic as the more-hyped Rondale Moore but he is bigger and does not carry as many injury concerns. Toney ran a 4.39-second forty-yard dash and is arguable the most elusive player in the entire draft. If he lands in an offense where he is used creatively, his upside is through the roof.
Official pro-day results for @OleMissFB WR Elijah Moore. 🎤drop after first 40 run. One scout just texted, "he's putting on a show".🔥
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 25, 2021
HT: 5094
WT: 178
Hand: 9 3/8
Arm: 30 1/8
Wing: 71 3/4
40-yd: 4.35 (NFL scout â±ï¸) 👀
VJ: 36.0
BJ: 10-0👀
SS: 4.00
3C: 6.66
BP: 17x