Everything feels a bit upside down right now. If you're holding a 1.01 in your 2026 dynasty rookie mock draft superflex, you've probably spent the last three months oscillating between excitement and mild panic. One week you’re convinced Fernando Mendoza is the next Joe Burrow; the next, you’re staring at Jeremiyah Love’s highlights and wondering if you should just ignore the quarterback premium altogether.
Let's be honest: this isn't the 2024 class. There isn't a Caleb Williams or a Jayden Daniels waiting to fix your roster overnight. But there is nuance here. The Heisman-winning season from Mendoza has completely rewired how we look at the top of the board, especially in Superflex formats where the desperation for a "safe" signal-caller usually overrides everything else.
The Top Tier: Mendoza vs. The Field
It's January 2026. The dust has settled on Indiana's historic run, and Fernando Mendoza is officially the shiny new toy. Most analysts, including the crew over at Draft Sharks, have him pegged as a potential 1.01 in NFL drafts. In a 2026 dynasty rookie mock draft superflex, that usually makes him the default pick.
Mendoza threw for 41 touchdowns this past year. He basically lived in the pocket like a young Matt Ryan but showed enough mobility to keep defenses honest. If you need a quarterback, he’s the pick. Period. But if your QB room is even remotely stable, the debate gets spicy.
1.01 – Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
He’s the safest bet. His 80.2% adjusted completion percentage isn't a fluke; it's the result of elite ball placement. In Superflex, you're betting on the draft capital. If he goes top three in April, he’s the 1.01 in your rookie draft.
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1.02 – Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
Love is the best pure football player in this class. He’s 212 pounds of "I'm going to ruin your Sunday." He averaged over four yards after contact and has that breakaway gear that makes fantasy managers drool. Some mocks are actually putting him at the 1.01 because the QB class is perceived as "shallow." Honestly? I don't hate it. If you’re a contender who just needs a hammer at RB, Love is your guy.
1.03 – Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
Tyson is the WR1 for most people right now. 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns at ASU proved he can be the focal point of an offense. He’s a separator. He’s the guy who wins on third down and then takes a slant 60 yards. The injury history is the only thing keeping him from being a locked-in top-two pick.
Sorting Through the Mid-First Round Chaos
Once you get past that top three, the 2026 dynasty rookie mock draft superflex gets weirdly flat. We’re talking about a massive tier of players where your personal preference on "archetype" matters more than the consensus ranking.
- Makai Lemon (WR, USC): He’s getting the Amon-Ra St. Brown comparisons. Why? Because he’s a technical nightmare for cornerbacks. He’s not the biggest, but his 3.02 yards per route run tells you everything you need to know about his efficiency.
- Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State): It’s a rule of thumb at this point—don't bet against Ohio State receivers. Tate has the prototypical "X" frame. He’s been playing in the shadow of Jeremiah Smith (who we have to wait another year for), but Tate is a pro-ready prospect who will likely be a Day 1 NFL starter.
- Dante Moore (QB, Oregon): This is the high-ceiling play. If Mendoza is the floor, Moore is the ceiling. He hasn't officially declared as of this second, but if he does, he’s a first-round NFL lock. He’s got the arm talent that Mendoza lacks, even if the consistency isn't quite there yet.
"The 2026 running back class isn't flush with good prospects, but Jeremiyah Love is a great one." — PlayerProfiler
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The Tight End Premium Wildcard
If you’re in a league with a TE premium, Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon is going to haunt your dreams. He’s 245 pounds and moves like a wide receiver. His 2025 production was... fine. 1.62 yards per route run won't win you many awards.
But scouts are obsessed with his testing. He’s going to crush the Combine. In a 2026 dynasty rookie mock draft superflex, he usually goes around the 1.07 or 1.08. It feels high, but in a year where the RB depth is questionable, chasing an elite athletic profile at Tight End is a savvy move.
What about Arch Manning?
Look, we have to talk about it. Arch is the elephant in the room. Most recent mocks don't even include him because the NIL money and family legacy suggest he might stay for his senior year. If he declares? He's the 1.01. No questions asked. But for now, most sharp managers are drafting as if he isn't coming out. It’s a massive "if" that could wreck your draft strategy if you’re banking on him.
Deep Sleepers and Value Hits
The back end of the first round is where you find the grinders.
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- Jonah Coleman (RB, Washington): Stout, low center of gravity, and surprisingly good hands. He’s the 1.09 or 1.10 in most mocks. He’s a high-floor RB2 in fantasy.
- KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M): He’s a human joystick. If he lands with a creative play-caller, he’s a PPR monster. He forced 39 missed tackles in his college career.
- Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama): This is the ultimate "Rorschach test" prospect. Some see a first-rounder; others see a guy who should’ve stayed in school. In a Superflex, someone will reach for him in the late first.
Strategy for Your Draft
If you're sitting on multiple 2026 firsts, my advice is to be aggressive in trading into that top four. The drop-off after Mendoza, Love, Tyson, and Lemon feels significant right now.
If you can't get into that top tier, look to pivot to the 2027 class. The early buzz on the 2027 guys (like Jeremiah Smith and Cam Coleman) is already louder than the hype for the 2026 class. Sometimes the best move in a 2026 dynasty rookie mock draft superflex is to trade the pick for a proven veteran or a package of 2027 assets.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your QB room: If you aren't 100% sold on your starters, you need to start positioning for Mendoza or Moore now.
- Watch the declarations: Keep a close eye on Arch Manning and Dante Moore. Their decisions will shift the value of every single pick in the first round.
- Tier your WRs: Decide now if you prefer the technical polish of Makai Lemon or the physical upside of Carnell Tate. They are currently back-to-back in most rankings, but they offer very different fantasy profiles.
- Check the TE Premium: If your league gives a 0.5 or 1.0 bump to Tight Ends, Kenyon Sadiq moves from a "maybe" to a "must-have" in the mid-first.
The 2026 draft cycle is just beginning to heat up. Stay flexible, don't get married to early rankings, and remember that draft capital is still the king in Superflex.