Honestly, the 2026 rookie class feels like a fever dream compared to the legendary Jeanty-led group of 2025. You’ve probably seen the "Dynasty RB Rankings Rookie" charts floating around Discord or Twitter, but most of them are just recycling the same tired names without looking at how these guys actually fit into a pro offense.
We’re in a weird spot. Last year was about finding the next bell cow. This year? It’s about finding the explosive outliers who can survive in a committee world.
If you’re sitting there with a 1.01 in your rookie draft, you aren't overthinking it. You're taking Jeremiyah Love. But after that? The board gets messy fast. Some of these guys have "Day 2 draft capital" written all over them, while others are basically one bad 40-time away from being "just a guy."
The Tier 1 Alpha: Jeremiyah Love and the Gap
There is a massive chasm between Jeremiyah Love and everyone else in the dynasty rb rankings rookie landscape right now. Love is the engine. Over at Notre Dame, he put up roughly 3,000 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns over two seasons. That isn't just "good college stats"—it’s evidence of a workhorse who hasn't even hit his peak yet.
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Love is 18 months younger than Ashton Jeanty was when he entered the league. Think about that for a second. You’re getting a guy with elite short-area quickness and legitimate downfield receiving ability who is younger than most of the guys he’s playing against. He’s essentially a "break glass in case of emergency" asset for your dynasty roster. If he goes in the first round of the NFL Draft, his value is going to skyrocket into the top five of overall dynasty RB rankings before he even takes a snap.
Why the Gap Matters
Most people are trying to make Justice Haynes or Nicholas Singleton happen as "The Next Big Thing." Honestly, it’s not there yet. Haynes has the breakaway speed, but his lateral agility is... well, it's not Love’s. And Singleton? He’s a size-speed freak, but he’s "more athlete than running back" sometimes. He leaves yards on the field.
The Bruisers: Jonah Coleman vs. Justice Haynes
If you want a safe floor, you look at Jonah Coleman out of Washington. He’s a bowling ball. He's been living at the top of the FBS in missed tackles forced and yards after contact since his Arizona days. He won't outrun a DB in the open field, but he’ll make a linebacker's life miserable for four quarters.
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Then there’s the Michigan transfer, Justice Haynes.
He’s the wildcard.
He’s got that eye-popping home-run speed.
But those foot injuries?
That’s the kind of thing that makes dynasty managers sweat.
Haynes is a natural runner, but there are legitimate questions about whether he can pass protect or catch well enough to stay on the field for three downs. In the current dynasty rb rankings rookie outlook, Coleman is the "I want to make the playoffs" pick, while Haynes is the "I want to win the league in three years" gamble.
The Sleepers Nobody is Talking About (Yet)
Everyone knows the Penn State duo or the big names at USC, but if you want to win your rookie draft, you have to look at the guys the "experts" are ignoring because they don't have a five-star pedigree.
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- Makhi Hughes (Oregon): He’s a contact balance specialist. He doesn’t have the flashy highlights of Love, but he is consistently productive and could easily walk into a 1B role in the NFL.
- LJ Martin (BYU): This is my favorite "deep" name. At 6'2" and 220 lbs, he’s a massive human being who just put up 222 yards against Cincinnati. If he runs a sub-4.5, he’s going to fly up boards.
- Waymond Jordan (USC): People are calling him a "budget Ashton Jeanty." He’s got the build and the stance. If he can overcome some speed concerns, he’s a legitimate goal-line vulture in the making.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Class
The biggest mistake you’ll make looking at dynasty rb rankings rookie lists this year is valuing "potential" over "pathway."
We see it every year.
A guy has a great combine.
He gets drafted to a team with an entrenched starter.
He rots on your bench for two years.
Take a look at someone like Kaytron Allen. He’s been the lead back at Penn State, but because he doesn't have Nicholas Singleton’s "measurables," people overlook him. In reality, Allen is exactly the type of player who ends up being a high-end RB2 in fantasy because he just knows how to play football. He’s a technician.
The Value Cliff
There is a legitimate value cliff after the top 3-4 backs. If you don't have a top-six pick in your rookie draft, you might be better off trading that 1.08 for a proven veteran like James Cook or even Bucky Irving. The hit rate on mid-to-late first-round RBs in a "weak" class is historically terrifying.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Dynasty Offseason
- Audit your 1.01: if you have it, don't trade it unless someone offers you a King's Ransom (think a top-tier WR plus a future first). Jeremiyah Love is that good.
- Target the "Technicians": If you’re drafting in the second round, stop chasing the 4.3 speed guys who can't read a hole. Look for players like Jonah Coleman or Kaytron Allen who have the efficiency metrics to back up their production.
- Watch the Transfer Portal: We’ve already seen guys like Justice Haynes and C.J. Baxter have their values fluctuate because of landing spots and injuries. Keep an eye on where these guys end up in the spring; a change of scenery can revive a dying draft stock.
- Value Receiving Upside: In PPR leagues, Jeremiyah Love and Nicholas Singleton are the only ones with true "elite" receiving profiles. If you're in a deep league, Jaydn Ott is a name to watch as a late-round pass-catching specialist, provided he recovers from his 2025 injury woes.
The 2026 RB class isn't going to save a dying franchise overnight, but it has enough top-heavy talent to put a contender over the top if you're willing to ignore the hype and look at the tape.