The 2026 NFL Draft is in the rear view mirror, and NFL fans are digesting the roster changes. It’s an annual train of renewal – hope springs everlasting, even for probably the most down-trodden franchises and their tortured fan bases.
Fantasy soccer gamers are noodling on the draft outcomes as effectively. Those that play the dynasty model of the sport – the place full rosters are maintained from yr to yr, and new gamers are added through an annual rookie draft – are wrapping up these drafts. Dynasty extra carefully resembles the NFL, since managers draft rookies with a long-term perspective. Distinction that to redraft fantasy soccer (and particularly leagues with no keepers), and greatest ball variations of the sport, the place our curiosity in NFL rookies is solely centered on what they’ll do for us on the sphere of their first season. That’s my focus for at present.
What ought to we make of the 2026 rookie class? We heard all alongside that this was a weak draft total, and one which was brief on elite playmakers. I gained’t sugarcoat this – I’m not anticipating quite a bit this season from the 2026 rookies in fantasy, and I don’t count on to have any rookies ranked inside my total Prime-60 once I finalize my redraft rankings in August. Nonetheless, some can be significant contributors, as all the time.
We’ve been spoiled in latest seasons by Jayden Daniels, Jaxson Dart, Jahmyr Gibbs, Bucky Irving, Malik Nabers, Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta, and several other others who have been dependable weekly begins – and even fantasy stars — as rookies. May there be an Amon-Ra St. Brown (fourth spherical) or Puka Nacua (fifth spherical) who’s an enormous shock in yr one? Positive. May there be a number of rookie working backs who get an sudden alternative, and pop with it, later within the season? Completely. However trying throughout the panorama, there aren’t many marriages of main expertise and splendid touchdown spot.
What makes a very good touchdown spot? Alternative to get on the sphere is on the prime of the record. Some rookies have a transparent path to taking part in time, however for others it’s murkier. Infrastructure and training are additionally massive components. Would you moderately take a participant who’s catching passes from Justin Herbert, with Mike McDaniel calling the performs, or somebody who had the misfortune of touchdown with the Jets? Associated to that’s slot in a specific system/offensive scheme. Expertise clearly issues too. Draft capital used on the participant can also be value contemplating, as groups sometimes view greater draft picks as gamers who ought to contribute instantly.
With these components in thoughts, right here‘s my 2026 fantasy football landing spot analysis for the more prominent rookies.
Jadarian Price lands with the defending champs Getty Images
OUTSTANDING/TERRIFIC LANDING SPOTS – None. Sorry folks, but I don’t count on any rookies to have a mean draft place (ADP) contained in the Prime-50 for redraft. This simply isn’t that sort of class.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints (Spherical 1, eighth decide)
Tyson will get my prime spot, by an honest margin. Alternative? Examine. Assuming he can keep wholesome, he ought to be on the market instantly in two and three receiver units, alongside WR1 Chris Olave, because the Saints don’t have a lot high quality or depth at receiver and tight finish. Expertise? Positively, and plenty of scouts suppose Tyson has the very best upside on this receiver class. Draft capital? Tyson was a Prime-10 decide. System and infrastructure? Positive. Tyler Shough confirmed actual promise within the second half of his rookie season, and the Saints are constructing round him as if he’s “the guy”. Kellen Moore’s offense runs quick, and the Saints may discover themselves in a bunch of shootouts. In addition they have ten indoor video games. Tyson could possibly be a viable WR3/Flex possibility proper out of the gate, with upside as a WR2.
Jadarian Value, RB, Seahawks (Spherical 1, thirty second decide).
I’ve Value forward of the man he backed up at Notre Dame, who went 29 picks earlier than him. That is all about alternative and state of affairs. The Seahawks prefer to run the snot out of the ball (Seattle was tied with Atlanta atop the NFL with 439 carries by working backs final season, and 23 of these got here contained in the 5-yard line). The backfield was break up between Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet in 2025. Walker is gone, whereas Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL within the playoffs and didn’t have surgical procedure till February. It’s onerous to know when he’ll return and the way massive of a workload he’ll get when he does hit the sphere. Emmanuel Wilson and George Halani aren’t scary competitors, and it’s vital that Seattle reached for the speedy Value on the finish of Spherical 1. He wasn’t the lead again on his school workforce final season, and he must work on ball safety and move catching, however I’ll gladly gamble on a man who could possibly be the highest RB possibility on the defending Tremendous Bowl champs.
Carnell Tate – Poised for a giant rookie yr? Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos
Jeremiyah Love, RB Cardinals (Spherical 1, third decide).
I went backwards and forwards between Love and Carnell Tate for the third spot. The Cardinals took a number of criticism for utilizing such a excessive decide on a working again, however there’s no denying Love’s expertise, game-breaking pace, move catching chops, and penchant for breaking massive performs. That’s what lands him on this spot for me. As for the state of affairs, it’s not nice. The Cardinals have a below-average line, uncertainty at QB, and the much-maligned Nate Hackett working the offense. As well as, they’ve Trey Benson, James Conner, and newcomer Tyler Allgeier at the moment on the roster. Benson figures to be traded earlier than the season begins, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a crowded backfield and Allgeier is environment friendly on the purpose line. The Cardinals won’t need to overload Love in his rookie yr on condition that depth. Very like Ashton Jeanty final season, I probably gained’t have Love on many groups this yr, as he figures to be overpriced.
Carnell Tate, WR, Titans (Spherical 1, 4th decide).
Tate was a little bit of a shock at Choose 4, nevertheless it wasn’t stunning that he was the primary WR drafted. He’s a pro-ready participant with an all-around skillset who catches what’s thrown his manner. The Titans introduced in Brian Daboll to run the offense and develop Cam Ward, and getting Ward extra weapons has been a precedence. Newcomer Wan’Dale Robinson, who had 140 targets and greater than 90 catches for the Giants in every of the final two seasons, figures to be busy working from the slot, however Tate ought to instantly get loads of run with the starters, because the returning depth chart at WR is weak. How Ward progresses underneath Daboll in 12 months 2 can be a giant consider how Tate performs.
Antonio Williams, WR, Commanders, Spherical 3.
Is that this rating too excessive? Possibly. Williams dissatisfied in his remaining season at Clemson, however so did your complete workforce. He put up 75-904-11 the yr earlier than, although, and was considered a possible 2026 first rounder coming into the 2025 season. I’ve acquired him forward of a number of receivers drafted earlier than him, and the primary purpose for that’s alternative. After Terry McLaurin, the Commanders have a bunch of JAGS (only a man) at receiver and tight finish, and a wholesome Jayden Daniels ought to be capable to help a strong passing sport for extra than simply McLaurin. The touchdown spot will worsen if the workforce indicators Brandon Aiyuk or Jauan Jennings. However even when that occurs, I’m protecting Williams on my sleepers record.
Caleb Douglas, Dolphins, Spherical 3.
Chris Bell, who the Dolphins additionally took in Spherical 3, is a first-round expertise, however he’s recovering from an ACL restore and until and till there’s a concrete timetable for his return, I’ll put Douglas down as the highest rookie to focus on on Miami. The Dolphins got here into the draft with the NFL’s weakest depth chart at WR and TE, by an honest margin. Malik Washington is a succesful slot man, however Douglas and/or Bell ought to be capable to discover the sphere early, as Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell are situational gamers, at greatest. Miami goes to need to run the ball as a lot as it could actually behind its huge O-line, however sport scripts ought to result in extra passing. Whether or not Malik Willis can produce as a thrower stays to be seen, and any Dolphins’ receiver is a dangerous proposition. Nonetheless, Douglas and/or Bell could possibly be fantasy-relevant on a nasty workforce with a talent-starved offense.
The Mendoza line – Wait till subsequent yr
Germie Bernard, Steelers, Spherical 2, forty seventh decide.
The electrical Bernard is one in every of my favourite receivers on this class, and my rating assumes Aaron Rodgers can be again for Pittsburgh. If he isn’t, it’s a giant drop. Even when Rodgers is there, the Steelers have D.Okay. Metcalf, Michael Pittman, and a number of tight ends, so the trail to constant taking part in time and targets isn’t clear. He’s a playmaker, however I simply don’t know what number of performs he’ll get to make in 2026.
KC Concepcion, WR Browns, Spherical 1, twenty fourth decide.
Sure, it’s the Browns, who’ve been at or close to the underside of the NFL in a number of offensive classes for 2 years working. QB is a large query mark, however the total state of affairs on Todd Monken’s offense could possibly be a bit of higher than you suppose. Jerry Jeudy won’t be with the workforce in 2026, and Concepcion ought to have a fairly clear path to taking part in time. We noticed Harold Fannin, Jr. thrive on this workforce as a rookie final season, so it’s not completely not possible. Concepcion is gifted, and I believe he’s value a late-round flier. I can’t say the identical for second spherical decide Denzel Boston, who will probably see the sphere lower than Concepcion, and might want to hit on massive performs downfield to return worth.
Fernando Mendoza, Raiders, Spherical 1, First decide.
Mendoza’s remaining yr of school mimicked Joe Burrow’s in so some ways, however not like Burrow, it’s onerous to check a situation the place Mendoza is fantasy-relevant as a rookie in 1-QB leagues. Even in a Superflex format, I don’t see a ton of worth. The place is deep with high quality, and it’s unclear when Kirk Cousins will give strategy to Mendoza. The state of affairs isn’t so unhealthy for a primary total decide, and particularly with Klint Kubiak bringing his offensive philosophy there, plus Tom Brady’s affect. However let’s wait a yr.
DeZhaun Strobling, 49ers, Spherical 2, thirty third decide.
The 49ers’ number of Strobling on the prime of Spherical 2 raised a number of eyebrows, and I actually don’t know what to consider him. On the one hand, Kyle Shanahan is pretty much as good of a schemer and play caller as there’s within the league proper now, and so they clearly have a plan for Strobling or they wouldn’t have reached for him. Alternatively, they introduced in Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, and perhaps Ricky Pearsall will lastly keep on the sphere, plus a number of targets go to Christian McCaffrey and the tight ends.
Jonah Coleman, Broncos, Spherical 4, Mike Washington, Raiders, Spherical 4, and Kaelon Black, 49ers, Spherical 3.
All three of those backs head to backfields the place they’re going to be combating for taking part in time in 2026, with the very best sensible final result being major backup to the starter. Any actual fantasy worth would in all probability require an damage in entrance of them – which might all the time occur. That makes them fascinating in fantasy as late spherical dart throws, and particularly Black, given what we’ve seen McCaffrey’s numerous backups do when given the chance.
Kenyan Sadiq and Omar Cooper, Jets, Spherical 1, picks 16 and 30
I like each gamers, however I hate the touchdown spot for a number of causes. Within the case of Sadiq, the Jets used a second rounder on Mason Taylor final season, plus regardless of latest historical past, it’s uncommon for rookie tight ends to explode. Within the case of Cooper, Garrett Wilson is the clear WR1 and I believe the workforce wish to see what it has in Adonai Mitchell alongside Cooper. Throw in that it’s the Jets, with a declining Geno Smith underneath middle, and I believe the very best technique is to remain away until it’s a really late choice.
Denzel Boston, Browns, Spherical 2, thirty ninth decide (mentioned above).
Makai Lemon, Eagles, Spherical 1, twentieth decide
Lemon was the third receiver taken, and he’s going to an excellent workforce. It’s clear that A.J. Brown goes to be traded. So why am I so low on a man who’s clearly an excellent prospect? First off, the Eagles are as run-heavy because it will get. Their 478 carries final season (together with QB runs) led the NFL. Jalen Hurts additionally had the league’s lowest charge of throws to the center of the sphere, and that figures to be the place the shifty Lemon is best. In addition they introduced in each Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown, and so they used a second rounder on TE Eli Stowers (who I’m additionally not excessive on for this season), and so they use a number of 12 personnel. I’m wondering if Lemon could have even a 60% snap share. Throw all of it collectively and I believe he’ll be overpriced in redraft leagues.
OTHER Third Spherical and Day 3 rookies – It’s early, however listed here are different rookies who’re on my deep sleeper/early waiver wire watch lists:
Nick Singleton, RB, Titans, Kaytron Allen, RB, Commanders, Bryce Lance, WR, Saints, Zachariah Department, WR, Falcons, Malachi Fields, WR, Giants, and Chris Brazzell, II, WR, Panthers.
Preserve it right here for extra preseason fantasy soccer content material.
