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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.

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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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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Remains Buried on Buccaneers' Running Back Depth Chart
Jake Tonges

Appears Likely to Enter 2026 Atop 49ers' Tight End Depth Chart
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Can Ja'Kobi Lane Carve Out a Fantasy-Relevant Role as a Rookie?
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Instantly Jumping to Fantasy Relevance in Washington?
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Set for Familiar Role in 2026?
Brandon Aiyuk

a Buy-Low Candidate in Dynasty Leagues?
Romeo Doubs

the New No. 1 Target in New England?
Daniel Jones

a QB1 if Ready for Season Opener?
Jacob deGrom

Scratched From Saturday's Start Due to Neck Stiffness
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Brewers Calling Up Catching Prospect Jeferson Quero
Josh Allen

Still the Top Dog at QB in Fantasy
Jared Goff

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David Pastrnak

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Collects Two Points in Friday's Win
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Pots Another Goal Friday Night
Shayne Gostisbehere

Could Be an Option Saturday
Nique Clifford

Could Return Saturday
Marcus Sasser

Probable Saturday
Caris LeVert

on Track to Return Saturday
Deyvison De Los Santos

Marlins Promote Deyvison De Los Santos to Major Leagues
Duncan Robinson

Listed as Questionable for Saturday
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Questionable to Play Saturday
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Iffy for Saturday
Kyle Kuzma

Questionable Saturday
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Tez Johnson

Could be Buried on the Depth Chart Again in Sophomore Season
Kevin Porter Jr.

Unavailable Against Spurs
Ka'imi Fairbairn

One of the NFL's Best Kickers Heading into His 10th Season
De'Aaron Fox

to Return to Action Saturday
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Exits Early Friday
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Ready to Return Saturday
Michael Penix Jr.

Falcons Think Michael Penix Jr. Will be Healthy "At Some Point" in Training Camp
Al Horford

to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
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Active Friday Night
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Returns to Action Friday
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Starts Friday
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Returns to Practice
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Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
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a High-Upside Value in Houston
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Looking for Consistency at Texas Children's Houston Open
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Happy to See Houston This Week
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