Dynasty Fantasy Football drafts are a whole different ball game than regular redraft leagues, or even keeper leagues. Just like the dynasty that is the Pittsburgh Steelers and their six Super Bowl rings above, not only do dynasty owners want to build a winning team for 2013, but they will also want to continue to build a team that will be a playoff contender for years to come.
Players who put up big stats for many years in the past aren't necessarily the guys you want in your initial veteran draft. If you look at players like T. Brady and P. Manning, yes they are amongst the highest in terms of fantasy point production. But when you look at their age (Brady-35/Manning-37), they aren't as valuable because you won't get as many years out of them as you would someone like A. Luck (23) or C. Newton (23).
Now don't misunderstand the statements above. I'm not telling you to avoid ALL players who are over 30, or close to it. Just like an NFL team, you want to add vets with a strong resume like S. Jackson because you know what they will give you in terms of fantasy production. Even if it is for only one-to-two years.
Also read our Best Fantasy Football Picks
The strategy above is just the tip of the iceberg. Matt Eastman goes even more in-depth on how to maximize your dynasty roster and how to get the most out of your draft.
Below are the top 30 players at each skill position that you will want to study if your dynasty league draft is coming up in the next few weeks to months. Evaluating the players below and understanding why they are ranked as they are will make your dynasty roster a top team this season and for many seasons down the road. And as dynasty owners, that's what we all strive for.
Make sure to check out my top overall 100 rankings coming soon!!
Age, fantasy history and future value are just some of the reasons why Aaron Rodgers, Trent Richardson, Calvin Johnson and Rob Gronkowski lead their respective positions in the top 30 Dynasty Rankings.QUARTERBACKS
1. Aaron Rodgers GB
2. Andrew Luck IND
3. Drew Brees NO
4. Cam Newton CAR
5. Robert Griffin III WAS
6. Tom Brady NE
7. Colin Kaepernick SF
8. Matthew Stafford DET
9. Matt Ryan ATL
10. Russell Wilson SEA
11. Eli Manning NYG
12. Peyton Manning DEN
13. Tony Romo DAL
14. Ben Roethlisberger PIT
15. Ryan Tannehill MIA
16. Josh Freeman TB
17. Philip Rivers SD
18. Jake Locker TEN
19. Jay Cutler CHI
20. Andy Dalton CIN
21. Joe Flacco BAL
22. Sam Bradford STL
23. Alex Smith KC
24. Matt Schaub HOU
25. Michael Vick PHI
26. Carson Palmer ARI
27. Christian Ponder MIN
28. Brandon Weeden CLE
29. Kirk Cousins WAS
30. Nick Foles PHI
RUNNING BACKS
1. Trent Richardson CLE
2. LeSean McCoy PHI
3. Doug Martin TB
4. Ray Rice BAL
5. Arian Foster HOU
6. Adrian Peterson MIN
7. Jamaal Charles KC
8. C.J. Spiller BUF
9. Marshawn Lynch SEA
10. Matt Forte CHI
11. Alfred Morris WAS
12. DeMarco Murray DAL
13. Darren McFadden OAK
14. Stevan Ridley NE
15. David Wilson NYG
16.Maurice Jones-Drew JAC
17. Chris Johnson TEN
18. Ryan Mathews SD
19. Reggie Bush DET
20. Steven Jackson ATL
21. Jonathan Stewart CAR
22. Frank Gore SF
23. Lamar Miller MIA
24. Darren Sproles NO
25. Mark Ingram NO
26. Mikel Leshoure DET
27. Ben Tate HOU
28. Kendall Hunter SF
29. Vick Ballard IND
30. Rashard Mendenhall ARI
WIDE RECEIVER
1. Calvin Johnson DET
2. AJ Green CIN
3. Julio Jones ATL
4. Percy Harvin SEA
5. Demaryius Thomas DEN
6. Dez Bryant DAL
7. Brandon Marshall CHI
8. Randall Cobb GB
9. Larry Fitzgerald ARI
10. Hakeem Nicks NYG
11. Victor Cruz NYG
12. Michael Crabtree SF
13. Mike Wallace MIA
14. Jordy Nelson GB
15. Roddy White ATL
16. Andre Johnson HOU
17. Torrey Smith BAL
18. Dwayne Bowe KC
19. Jeremy Maclin PHI
20. Wes Welker DEN
21. Eric Decker DEN
22. Vincent Jackson TB
23. Antonio Brown PIT
24. Kenny Britt TEN
25. Pierre Garcon WAS
26. Justin Blackmon JAC
27. Greg Jennings MIN
28. Kendall Wright TEN
29. Marques Colston NO
30. Josh Gordon CLE
TIGHT ENDS
1. Rob Gronkowski NE
2. Jimmy Graham NO
3. Aaron Hernandez NE
4. Jason Witten DAL
5. Kyle Rudolph MIN
6. Vernon Davis SF
7. Jermaine Gresham CIN
8. Dennis Pitta BAL
9. Greg Olsen CAR
10. Brandon Pettigrew DET
11. Jermichael Finley GB
12. Martellus Bennett CHI
13. Jared Cook STL
14. Fred Davis WAS
15. Tony Gonzalez ATL
16. Dwayne Allen IND
17. Owen Daniels HOU
18. Coby Fleener IND
19. Rob Housler ARI
20. Brent Celek PHI
21. Antonio Gates SD
22. Brandon Myers NYG
23. Heath Miller PIT
24. Dustin Keller MIA
25. Marcedes Lewis JAC
26. Tony Moeaki KC
27. Jacob Tamme DEN
28. Scott Chandler BUF
29. Lance Kendricks STL
30. Ladarius Green SD