The Staggies defender believes they can build upon four points from their last two matches as they bid to rise with wins, starting on Saturday at Partick Thistle.
The bottom eight group places are occupied by young teams from Premiership clubs - but Scottish Cup winner Draper sees the merit in the younger players taking part.
The newly-installed experienced trio aim to take the Staggies up the Championship after a winless league run extends to seven months ahead of the Raith Rovers clash.
Midfielder Duncan joins Falkirk full-back Sean Mackie and Dundee United's Miller Thomson in completing loan switches to the struggling Championship club.
The former Dundee boss explains how keeping involved in football through TV and radio work - and visits to Celtic and Everton - kept him "plugged-in" for managerial return.