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If You're Smart, You'll Sell Your 2026 Rookie Picks Now -- Here's Why

What’s your 2026 first-round rookie pick worth right now?

If you’re not familiar with next year’s class, then how could you possibly know?

Digging into the upcoming groups of rookies, on the other hand, can give you a big advantage over your dynasty league mates.

A year ago, you could have known that 2025 would likely present a strong group of RBs – and a lackluster QB class. Before that, you could have set yourself up to attack a strong set of WR prospects.

Of course, getting to know every potential prospect in the 2026 class takes a lot of work and time. It’s a daunting task. But that’s why you have me.

Let’s get into it …

The Smart Money Move: Trading 2026 Firsts for Championships

"Next year's class is better" is a running joke that inflates future pick values. That trend should break for 2026.

The class appears weak at RB, WR, and TE, particularly in the first round.

The market hasn't adjusted, though. Managers continue valuing 2026 firsts like any other year. This creates an opportunity for informed traders.

What Your 2026 Picks Are Actually Worth

Our Dynasty Trade Value Charts give you appropriate values for future picks and allows you to compare that value with the current draft year as well as players across positions.

In 12-team PPR leagues, 2026 picks currently trade at these values compared to 2025 picks and current players:

Given the class uncertainty, you should consider trading away your 2026 first-round rookie pick now if you've got a contending team.

Adding players such as Alvin Kamara or Davante Adams could decide your championship. If your 2026 first ends up late in the round, the trade becomes a steal.

Even swapping your 2026 first for a lesser pick than current value like the 1.12 or 2.01 in your 2025 rookie draft makes sense.

Players such as Luther Burden and Kaleb Johnson can help you contend immediately and will likely outperform equivalent 2026 prospects.

During the season, don't hesitate to move that 2026 first for playoff-pushing help. Later 2026 picks have less value but can still return immediate-impact pieces.

The Brutal Breakdown: Why 2026 Talent Is Thin

RB Reality: Jeremiyah Love ... Then Pray

We may see another year with a clear RB at 1.01. Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love showed elite explosion and contact balance last year. Another season like that could earn him a top-15 spot in next year's NFL Draft.

Beyond Love, though, the options look shaky. 

Penn State's Nicholas Singleton and Oregon's Makhi Hughes have top-50 potential but need development. The rest of the group consists of underperforming recruits and productive but limited players.

WR Wasteland: No Elite Options

This position's outlook is dire. The past six drafts included five WRs going among the top 12 picks. But 2026 likely won't add to that.

Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson leads candidates but brings injury concerns. Others like Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Washington's Denzel Boston haven't fully emerged.

TE Bucks the Trend

TE could be the lone strength, depending on how the 2025 season plays out.

Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers could be a first-round pick. The former QB sports NFL athleticism and SEC production. 

The position should offer solid depth as well with athletes such as Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Michigan State’s Jack Velling offering pass-catching upside. 

Superflex Flips the Script

QB might wind up the most attractive position group in next year's draft.

Several young QBs with rushing upside could declare early and all carry first-pick potential:

• Texas' Arch Manning
• South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers
• Clemson's Cade Klubnik

With the amount of potential elite QBs, this class could rival 2024.

To get a more in-depth look at the QBs, check out our 2026 Dynasty Rookie Superflex Rankings.

Here's What You Should Do

In 1-QB leagues, trade your 2026 first to upgrade your team, especially if you're a contender.

Trading for a game-changing veteran or even a young player with upside will deliver more value than a late 2026 first.

If you are still holding onto that first into the season and need to make a push, don’t hesitate to put it on the trade block. 

In superflex leagues, hold 2026 firsts and seconds until the college season provides clarity. 

The dynamic QB class could make these picks valuable buys if the QBs live up to the hype.

Those picks could grow in value as we get closer to the NFL Draft and QB-needy rebuilds get desperate.

Trading 2026 Dynasty Rookie Picks Is Only The Beginning ...

Let Us Help You Win Your Dynasty League Year After Year

Don't you want your dynasty team to compete every year -- so that you never have to go into rebuilding mode?

Our Dynasty Playbook is designed to help you do just that.

Check out the video below to learn more about the powerful tools that will help you along the way ...

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Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.