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Early 2021 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Pre-NFL Draft

RotoBaller's top 80 fantasy football rookie rankings for 2021 NFL rookies. These early staff rankings are from before the NFL Draft and include RB, WR, TE, QB.

You can also read our updated 2021 fantasy football rookie rankings: post-NFL Draft, which was released after the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

Welcome back RotoBallers! Below you will find our staff's early 2021 fantasy football rookie rankings (top 80). These rankings are being released before the 2021 NFL Draft so things will of course change. Adjustments to these rookie rankings will be made all offseason long, so check back regularly for updates. You can also see our other dynasty rookie rankings and analysis articles, including NFL Draft coverage and NFL rookie breakdowns.

Three of our lead fantasy football analysts - Pierre Camus, Brandon Murchison and Phil Clark - have analyzed last year's college football season and the NFL offseason moves - they are ready to rock. Below you will find their consensus staff rookies ranks for 2021 fantasy football, which will be updated regularly up until the season. Feel free to click those links and give these fine gentlemen a follow, or let them know how much you love or hate their rankings. Be sure to also check out our 2021 fantasy football rankings dashboard. It will soon be loaded up with tons of other great rankings including early PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, Standard rankingsBest Ball rankings and Dynasty League rankings. Bookmark that page, and prepare for all of your drafts.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

NFL Rookie Rankings for Fantasy Football (Pre-Draft)

You can also read our updated 2021 fantasy football rookie rankings: post-NFL Draft, which was released after the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

Tier Rank Player Name Pos
1 1 Najee Harris RB
1 2 Ja'Marr Chase WR
1 3 Kyle Pitts TE
1 4 DeVonta Smith WR
1 5 Trevor Lawrence QB
1 6 Travis Etienne RB
2 7 Jaylen Waddle WR
2 8 Javonte Williams RB
2 9 Rashod Bateman WR
2 10 Rondale Moore WR
2 11 Kenny Gainwell RB
2 12 Michael Carter RB
2 13 Terrace Marshall Jr. WR
3 14 Elijah Moore WR
3 15 Amon-Ra St. Brown WR
3 16 Justin Fields QB
3 17 Chuba Hubbard RB
3 18 Zach Wilson QB
3 19 Kadarius Toney WR
3 20 Trey Sermon RB
3 21 Trey Lance QB
3 22 Tylan Wallace WR
3 23 Pat Freiermuth TE
4 24 Jermar Jefferson RB
4 25 Kylin Hill RB
4 26 Seth Williams WR
4 27 Amari Rodgers WR
4 28 Nico Collins WR
4 29 Brevin Jordan TE
4 30 Khalil Herbert RB
4 31 Tamorrion Terry WR
4 32 Dyami Brown WR
4 33 Kyle Trask QB
4 34 Mac Jones QB
4 35 Jaret Patterson RB
4 36 D'Wayne Eskridge WR
5 37 Tutu Atwell WR
5 38 Demetric Felton WR
5 39 Shi Smith WR
5 40 CJ Verdell RB
5 41 Rhamondre Stevenson RB
5 42 Master Teague RB
5 43 Javian Hawkins RB
5 44 Sage Surratt WR
5 45 Hunter Long TE
6 46 Marquez Stevenson WR
6 47 Elijah Mitchell RB
6 48 Dazz Newsome WR
6 49 Pooka Williams RB
6 50 Rakeem Boyd RB
6 51 Dez Fitzpatrick WR
6 52 Anthony Schwartz WR
6 53 Kellen Mond QB
6 54 Marlon Williams WR
6 55 Sam Ehlinger QB
6 56 Trevon Grimes WR
7 57 Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR
7 58 Jamie Newman QB
7 59 Damonte Coxie WR
7 60 Josh Imatorbhebhe WR
7 61 Jaelon Darden WR
7 62 JaTarvious Whitlow RB
7 63 Deon Jackson RB
7 64 Johnathan Lovett RB
8 65 Brady White QB
8 66 Reggie Roberson Jr. WR
8 67 Tanner Morgan QB
8 68 T.J. Vasher WR
8 69 Shakif Seymour RB
8 70 JD Spielman WR
8 71 K.J. Costello QB
8 72 Feleipe Franks QB
9 73 Whop Philyor WR
9 74 Mekhi Sargent RB
9 75 Eli Stove WR
9 76 Zac Thomas QB
9 77 Ian Book QB
9 78 Zach Smith QB
9 79 Brock Purdy QB
9 80 Brennan Eagles WR


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More Fantasy Football Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Josh Hart

Questionable Versus Boston
Karl-Anthony Towns

Back on the Injury Report for Friday
William Contreras

Could Need Finger Surgery
Aaron Jones Sr.

Officially Active Versus Chargers
Morgan Rielly

Questionable for Friday
NYI

Max Shabanov Out Against Red Wings
Morgan Barron

Available Thursday
Mason Marchment

a Game-Time Decision Thursday
Jonathan Marchessault

Won't Play Against Canucks
Matt Duchene

Sits Out Second Consecutive Game
Kirby Dach

Returns to Canadiens Lineup
Hampus Lindholm

a Game-Time Call Thursday
Luguentz Dort

Will Be Available Thursday Night
Cason Wallace

Will Not Play Thursday vs. the Pacers
De'Andre Hunter

Moving Well; Remains Uncertain for Friday
Portland Trail Blazers

Tiago Splitter Will be the Interim Head Coach of the Trail Blazers
Al Horford

Will Come Off the Bench on Thursday
Yves Missi

Will Be Questionable Friday vs. the Spurs
Aaron Jones Sr.

Activated, Likely to Play vs. Chargers
Terry Rozier

Chauncey Billups Arrested in Gambling Investigation
Moses Moody

Out on Thursday
Al Horford

to Rest on Friday
T.J. McConnell

Remains Unavailable Thursday
Isaiah Joe

Misses Thursday's Action
Cason Wallace

Questionable for Finals Rematch
Jalen Williams

Remains Out Thursday
Patrick Kane

to Miss Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Nikita Kucherov

Set to Return Against Blackhawks
Brock Boeser

Available Thursday
Dawson Mercer

Records Two Assists Against Wild
Jack Quinn

Tallies Three Points in Wednesday's Win
Jason Zucker

Exits With Injury Wednesday
CFB

Utah QB Devon Dampier Listed as Questionable on Big 12 Injury Report
San Francisco Giants

Tony Vitello Named New Manager of the Giants
Anthony Edwards

Active Against Trail Blazers
Grayson Allen

Active for Suns’ Opening Night Game
Kevin Porter Jr.

Won't Return on Wednesday Evening
Anthony Edwards

a Game-Time Decision for Wednesday
Daniel Gafford

Ruled Out for Mavericks Season Opener
Alexander Romanov

Expected to Miss Two More Games
Pierre Engvall

Ruled Out for the Season
Luguentz Dort

Questionable for Thursday Versus Pacers
Adin Hill

Out Week-to-Week
Patrik Laine

Sits Out Another Game Wednesday
Marco Rossi

Available Wednesday Night
Cody Glass

Out on Wednesday
Stefan Noesen

Makes Season Debut Wednesday
Jaylen Waddle

Dolphins Don't Have Plans to Trade Jaylen Waddle
Francisco Lindor

has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Aaron Jones Sr.

Considered Questionable to Play on Thursday
PGA

Alex Noren is a Smash Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Mike Evans

Could be Back in Under Eight Weeks
Bucky Irving

Will Not Play in Week 8
Jayden Daniels

Will Not Play on Monday Night Against Chiefs
Darren Waller

Dolphins Place Darren Waller on Injured Reserve
Maverick McNealy

Look Out For Maverick McNealy This Week in Utah
Justin Lower

Unlikely to Flip The Script at Bank of Utah Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Looking for Repeat Performance in Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Will be Listed as Questionable on Wednesday
Max McGreevy

a Longer Shot to Contend in Utah
Jackson Suber

on the Bubble for the PGA in 2026
Greyson Sigg

Improving at the Right Time This Fall
Seamus Power

Hopes to Make More Birdies This Week
Patton Kizzire

May Struggle Once Again in Utah
Beau Hossler

Up and Down Heading to Bank of Utah Championship
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Find the Weekend in Utah
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Enjoying the Fall Golf Season
Tom Hoge

Sputtering into Bank of Utah Championship
Sahith Theegala

On the Upswing Heading into Utah
Andrew Putnam

Looks to Find Form in Utah
Matt McCarty

Looks to Defend Title in Utah
Ben Kohles

a Strong Value Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Max Homa

Trending Up Entering the Bank of Utah Championship
Nick Dunlap

Searching for Spark at Bank of Utah Championship
Quade Cummins

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of Bank of Utah Championship
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Won't Trade Maxx Crosby
Jason Day

Making a Spot Start at Bank of Utah Championship
Los Angeles Angels

Kurt Suzuki to be the Angels' Next Manager
Bo Bichette

Plans to be Ready for World Series
Tyrod Taylor

Aaron Glenn "Moving Toward" Naming Tyrod Taylor the Starting QB
Zach Charbonnet

Finds the End Zone Twice on Monday Night
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Continues Elite Production
Chris Godwin

Bucky Irving May Not Play This Week
Michael Penix Jr.

Expected to Be "Good to Go" for Sunday
Nico Collins

Ruled Out Late on Monday Night With Concussion
Nico Collins

Suffers Head Injury on Monday Night
Jahmyr Gibbs

Blows Up For 218 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns in Win
Mike Evans

to Miss Most of the Year With Broken Clavicle
Brandon Woodruff

Expects to Be Ready for Opening Day
Mike Evans

Ruled Out Monday With Concussion, Shoulder Injury
Mike Evans

Making his Return in Primetime Against Detroit
Emeka Egbuka

Officially Active on Monday Night
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Suffers His First UFC Loss
Brendan Allen

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kevin Holland

Drops Decision
Mike Malott

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Marlon Vera

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
Aiemann Zahabi

Gets A Razor-Thin Split Decision Win
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Manon Fiorot

Gets Back In The Win Column
Davey Grant

Suffers Submission Loss
Charles Jourdain

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Matt Frevola

Gets Dominated At UFC Vancouver
Matt Frevola

Kyle Nelson Dominates Matt Frevola
George Springer

Returns to Lineup for Game 6 of ALCS
CFB

Colorado State Fires Head Coach Jay Norvell After Four Seasons
CFB

Florida Fires Head Coach Billy Napier After Four Years
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Deliver Another Clutch Win to Make Championship 4?
William Byron

Seeks First Win at Talladega to Overcome Las Vegas Crash
Chase Briscoe

Likely to Finish Worse Than he Starts
Kyle Larson

Despite No Wins on Drafting Tracks, Kyle Larson is Improving
Tyler Reddick

Despite Winning at Talladega, Tyler Reddick's Drafting Record Is Not So Hot
Ross Chastain

Poor Qualifying Makes him a Strong DFS Option at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Excellent Crash Avoidance Could Reap Dividends at Talladega
Ty Gibbs

If Ty Gibbs' Team Executes a Better Strategy, he Could Win at Talladega
Daniel Suarez

Hopes for Clutch Talladega Win to Remain in the NASCAR Cup Series
Josh Berry

Might Contend at Talladega
Austin Dillon

Doesn't Lead Enough at Talladega to Contend for Wins
Brendan Donovan

Undergoes Sports Hernia Surgery
George Springer

Exits Game 5 Early After HBP on his Knee

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP