The 2025 season is barely in the rearview mirror, but if you’re playing dynasty, you’re already behind. Everyone is chasing the next Bijan or the next Nabers. Honestly, looking at the fantasy footballers dynasty rookie rankings for 2026 feels like staring at a puzzle with a few missing pieces. It’s a class that doesn’t have that "generational" quarterback everyone is screaming for, yet it’s packed with specific role players who could absolutely break your league if they land in the right spot.
You’ve probably heard the buzz about the Notre Dame backfield or that kid from Indiana who came out of nowhere. It’s a weird year.
The RB1 Debate: Jeremiyah Love vs. The World
Most scouts and early rankings have Jeremiyah Love at the 1.01. It makes sense. He’s 212 pounds, runs with a low pad level, and has that specific "one-cut-and-gone" acceleration that NFL coaches drool over. But is he the lock everyone says?
I’m not so sure.
Jeremiyah Love is an elite prospect, don't get me wrong. He averaged over 4.4 yards after contact at Notre Dame. That’s a "man among boys" stat. But then you look at Nicholas Singleton from Penn State. Singleton is a different animal. He’s 224 pounds and has been clocked at 23 mph. He literally broke Saquon Barkley’s squat record.
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- Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): The safe bet. He’s the three-down guy who won’t leave the field.
- Nicholas Singleton (Penn State): The ceiling bet. If he cleans up his vision, he’s a fantasy monster.
- Emmett Johnson (Nebraska): The sleeper. He had 1,400+ yards and 46 catches in 2025. He’s basically Matt Forte 2.0.
If you’re sitting at 1.02 and Love is gone, do not panic. Emmett Johnson might actually be the better PPR asset because of those 46 catches. We see it every year—the "big name" gets the hype, but the guy who catches four balls a game from the backfield wins the championship.
Why Wide Receiver Tiers are a Mess Right Now
This is where the fantasy footballers dynasty rookie rankings get truly spicy. There isn't a Marvin Harrison Jr. in this class. There isn't a clear-cut "Alpha X" that everyone agrees on. Instead, we have a bunch of guys with very different profiles.
Jordyn Tyson at Arizona State is a name you need to circle. He had 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He’s electric after the catch. Sorta reminds me of Deebo Samuel with the way they manufacture touches for him. Then you have Carnell Tate at Ohio State. We know the drill: if a receiver comes out of Ohio State, you draft him. Tate has been playing behind stars for years, but the body control is legit.
Makai Lemon from USC is the one I’m keeping an eye on. He’s a technician. He averaged 3.02 yards per route run. In fantasy, we love efficiency. Lemon isn’t the biggest guy on the field, but he’s always open. He’s that Amon-Ra St. Brown type of player who just collects targets like they’re Pokémon cards.
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The "Big Body" Wildcards
- Denzel Boston (Washington): 6’4”, 209 lbs. He’s the "X" receiver your team needs in the red zone.
- KC Concepcion (Texas A&M): Shifty, slot-heavy, and dangerous on screens.
- Elijah Sarratt (Indiana): A physical chain-mover who does the dirty work.
Superflex Chaos: The Fernando Mendoza Factor
If you play in Superflex, the 2026 class is going to stress you out. It is not a deep year for quarterbacks. Honestly, it’s kinda thin.
Fernando Mendoza from Indiana is the Heisman winner and the current "safe" QB1. People compare him to Joe Burrow because of his ball placement. He’s a late riser who carried Indiana to a Big Ten title. If he goes 1.01 in the actual NFL Draft, he’s going 1.01 in your Superflex rookie draft. Period.
But then there’s Ty Simpson at Alabama. He’s the ultimate "scout’s dream, stat-sheet’s nightmare." He has a massive arm—maybe the best in the class—but he’s only had 15 starts. That’s a huge red flag. Remember Anthony Richardson or Mitchell Trubisky? High-upside guys with low start totals are a gamble. Sometimes you get a superstar; sometimes you get a guy who’s out of the league in four years.
And we can't ignore Arch Manning. The name alone carries weight. Even if he stays at Texas or doesn't have the "elite" production yet, someone in your league will reach for him. Don't be that person unless the value is undeniable.
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The Kenyon Sadiq Opportunity
Tight ends are usually a "wait and see" position, but Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon is changing that narrative. He’s 245 pounds and moves like a wide receiver. In 2025, he showed he could stretch the seam.
Most rookie rankings have him in the late first or early second round. If you’re in a Tight End Premium (TEP) league, he’s a top-eight lock. He isn't a blocker. He’s a big slot receiver who happens to have a "TE" next to his name. That’s the gold mine for fantasy.
Actionable Next Steps for Dynasty Managers
- Check your 1.01 value: If you have the top pick, start shopping it now. If your league mates are obsessed with Jeremiyah Love, you might be able to get a king's ransom for a pick that could be a "bust" if he lands in a bad committee.
- Tier down at WR: The gap between WR1 and WR5 in this class is tiny. If you can trade the 1.04 for the 1.09 and a future second-round pick, do it. You’re likely getting a similar tier of talent in Makai Lemon or Denzel Boston.
- Watch the landing spots for RBs: In this class, volume is king. An "okay" prospect like Jonah Coleman landing in a wide-open backfield is worth more than a "great" prospect like Love landing in a 50/50 split with an established veteran.
- Target the "One-Year Wonders": Guys like Fernando Mendoza and Emmett Johnson had monster 2025 seasons. Use the "fluke" narrative to buy them cheaper from skeptical owners who only value multi-year production.
The 2026 rookie draft won't be won by drafting the "obvious" guys. It'll be won by the managers who realize that this class is built on depth and specialized roles rather than a few transcendent superstars.