2026 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: The Wild Card Class That Has Scouts Guessing (Updated Feb. 2)

Before You Trade For That Pick … Know What You’re Getting in 2026

Before trading away (or for) draft picks, it's crucial to evaluate the potential of that rookie class.

So how does 2026 stack up?

There is some potential but very few clear-cut studs. The high-end of RB and WR make the top rookie picks worthwhile, but it drops off fast.

That drop-off certainly creates more questions about the 2026 draft than in other recent years.

The uncertainty could make 2026 picks less valuable, especially based on our latest seven-round NFL Mock Draft

But things can change quickly. We’ll keep updating these 2026 dynasty rookie rankings as new names rise and fall throughout the process.

For now, here is a rookie preview to see how this class is shaping up ...

2026 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Top 50

1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Love checks in at 6'0, 212 pounds with a low pad level to power through inside runs and enough speed to outrun defenders in space. His vision improved over the season, and he flashed receiving ability with 28 catches in 2024. 

He scored three TDs in a game already this season and has shown up more in the receiving game. While he may lack the contact balance of Ashton Jeanty, Love has the tools to become an elite RB prospect.

2. Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Jordyn Tyson is the consensus top WR, but Lemon really came on late in the season. He's thin but is a dynamic pass catcher who creates yards after the catch. He can win contested balls and should be a top-20 pick.

3. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

This WR class may lack top-end upside, but betting on an Ohio State receiver usually pays off. Tate has played behind stars such as Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, yet still posted 52 catches for 733 yards and 4 TDs last year. Tate wins with physicality and amazing body control. He has a strong chance to be a top-20 pick. 

4. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Tyson flashed his quickness as a true freshman at Colorado in 2022, but a knee injury wiped out his 2023 season. He bounced back in 2024, leading the Sun Devils with 75 catches, 1,101 yards, and 10 TDs. Tyson consistently creates separation, even against top-tier corners, and brings the speed and YAC skills that fit today’s NFL.

In 2025, he has started hot and carried the Sun Devil offense. 

Durability is the biggest concern. (He has never finished a full college season and has undergone multiple surgeries). But he ranks among the top WRs in the class.

5. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Price has been splitting with Jeremiyah Love but is actually outperforming him in yards per carry due to explosive runs. While Love has three-down ability, Price's home run ability makes him a great complement.

6. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Sadiq got work last year despite being paired with future top-100 draft pick Terrance Ferguson. Sadiq moves effortlessly despite being 245 pounds. He can play inline as a willing blocker or as a mismatch in the slot. Sadiq could be a top-20 draft pick.

7. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Boston chose to stay at Washington rather than follow former HC Kalen DeBoer to Alabama -- and it paid off. He caught 63 passes for 834 yards and 9 TDs in 2024. At 6'4, 209 pounds, Boston brings unmatched size in this class. He projects as an "X" receiver at the next level with enough speed to earn early-round consideration. He should be a top-50 pick.

8. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Concepcion is a unique all-around weapon who will likely play from the slot in the NFL. His speed and shiftiness after the catch make him a big-play threat at any time. Expect some rushes and screens wherever Concepcion ends up. He has Percy Harvin-like upside.

9. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Coleman averaged 6.52 yards per carry through his first four games this season with great suddenness and acceleration. He showed good hands in the receiving game and profiles as a potential three-down back in the NFL at a stout 5'9, 220 pounds. 

Coleman could be a top-50 pick.

10. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Johnson was a 2025 surprise. He ran for 1,451 yards and 12 TDs, averaging 5.78 yards per carry. He has also caught 85 passes over the last two years. Johnson can be a PPR difference maker with his pass-catching and shiftiness in the open field. He likely will come in under 200 pounds, but Johnson can be a three-down RB in the right offense.

The Rest of the Top 50:

11. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

12. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

13. Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State

14. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

15. Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

16. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

17. Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC

18. Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas

19. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

20. Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

21. Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

22. Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

23. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

24. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

25. Adam Randall, RB, Clemson

26. Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma

27. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

28. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

29. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor

30. Max Klare, TE, Ohio State

31. Josh Cameron, WR, Baylor

32. Jamarion Miller, RB, Alabama

33. Barion Brown, WR, LSU

34. Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State

35. Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

36. Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky

37. Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri

38. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

39. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

40. Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma

41. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

42. Le'Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M

43. Jack Endries, TE, Texas

44. Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

45. Oscap Delp, TE, Georgia

46. Rahsul Faison, RB, South Carolina

47. J'Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia

48. Harrison Wallace III, WR, Ole Miss

49. Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan

50. Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech

The Top-Heavy 2026 QB Class 

The 2026 QB class took a hit when rushing QBs such as Arch Manning and LaNorris Sellers stayed in school. But there should still be two or three great passers in this class.

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman and has drawn comps to Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, and Kirk Cousins. His ball placement and toughness should allow him to start immediately. His scrambling ability could also help his fantasy stats. 

The rest of the class is thin, but Alabama QB Ty Simpson and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss could also be first-round picks.

While the specific top QBs drafted in 2026 remain uncertain, the odds favor significant rushing upside from this class. Get a more in-depth breakdown in our 2026 Rookie Superflex Rankings.

Is Jeremiyah Love the Next Elite Fantasy RB Prospect?

Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love could be the next top-tier NFL RB prospect. Though he needs a strong season to reach the heights of Bijan Robinson or Ashton Jeanty, Love is in the conversation.

He has the size, power, and speed in a run-first offense to emerge as a coveted weapon. His 28 catches this past season showed developing receiving ability.

With the NFL again finding value at the RB position, Love could be next in line for teams wanting to establish a power rushing identity.

No Clear RB2 -- But Plenty of Intriguing Paths to Get There

After Love, the position is wide open with no sure top-50 pick.

Jadarian Price, Love’s teammate, has the size and breakaway ability to be a significant fantasy contributor. His receiving ability makes him very attractive for PPR leagues.

Washington RB Jonah Coleman has top-50 potential after carrying the load for the Big Ten squad.

Michigan's Justice Haynes may not be the best PPR back, but is an intriguing two-down runner.

A sleeper to watch is Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson. He ended the season with five straight 100-yard rushing games, and even had a 100-yard receiving game in one of those. He is a three-down player with great hands who could even emerge as the RB2 of the class.

WR Gold At the Top of the Draft

The WR class has even more questions than RB. USC’s Makai Lemon, Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Arizona State's Jordan Tyson lead the way, but there are many question marks after those two.

Washington's Denzel Boston has played well but may lack the athleticism of a sure first-round pick.

Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion is intriguing as an all-around weapon who could take some rushes, catch passes, and even return kicks.

There could be others who emerge based on athleticism and production such as Louisville’s Chris Bell, Indiana's Omar Cooper, and Alabama’s Germie Bernard

Athletic Upside Headlines a Wide-Open TE Group

This TE class won't match 2025's high-end talent, but there's plenty of intrigue and athleticism.

Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is an tremendous athlete who shines when on the field. His ability to get open should make him a first-round pick.

Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers and Baylor’s Michael Trigg had solid seasons and have the athletic profiles to be top-100 picks.

Continue Building with These Dynasty Tools

Your dynasty season didn't just end.

In fact, the most important segment of the dynasty calendar is just beginning.

Whether you're sitting on a playoff team or looking at a rebuild, the "offseason" is vital. And we've got the dynasty tools to help you build a perennial powerhouse.

Check out this video to learn more:

Next Up

Dynasty Trade Calculator

Next Article  

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.