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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.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

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

Tucker Kraft

Expected Back "Early in the Season"
Calvin Ridley

Brian Daboll Says it's "Good to Have" Calvin Ridley on Roster
Isaac Guerendo

Buried on Depth Chart, Looking for New Team?
Jalen Nailor

Raiders Expect Jalen Nailor to Take "Big Leap" in "Featured Role"
MLB

Rockies-Mets Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
CFB

Mario Craver Enters No. 1 Wide Receiver Role for Marcel Reed
Raisel Iglesias

Braves Officially Reinstate Raisel Iglesias From Injured List on Tuesday
CFB

LaNorris Sellers a Strong Rebound Candidate in 2026
CFB

Cam Coleman Poised for Monster Year at Texas?
Cedric Tillman

on the Trade Block?
CFB

Will Hammond Pushing to Be Ready for Week 1
Alex Fitzpatrick

Looking to Keep Up Ball-Striking Output at Quail Hollow
Emmett Johnson

Andy Reid Compares Emmett Johnson to LeSean McCoy
CFB

Notre Dame Leads College Football in Returning Snaps
Ty Simpson

a Great Fit With the Rams?
CFB

Two Ole Miss Football Players Arrested, Charged with DUI
Alvin Kamara

"Excited" to Share the Backfield With New RB Addition
Carson Beck

Could Carson Beck Sit on the Bench for his Entire Rookie Season?
Devaughn Vele

Upside Takes a Hit After the NFL Draft
Brenen Thompson

Compared to Tyreek Hill
Jonathan Taylor

Could Jonathan Taylor Finish as the RB1 if he Stays Healthy?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Firmly Entrenched in Top Tier of Dynasty Receivers
Drew Allar

Wasn't Always Set Up to Succeed in College
Darnell Washington

Trending Down in a New-Look Offense?
Saquon Barkley

Still a Dynasty Target for Managers Looking to Win Now
Fernando Mendoza

Will Fernando Mendoza's Skill Set Translate to the NFL?
Michael Wilson

Could Actually Benefit From Cardinals' Quarterback Situation
Michael Penix Jr.

Falcons Unsure on Michael Penix Jr.'s Status for Training Camp
C.J. Stroud

Texans Praise C.J. Stroud for Offseason Work
Jake Ferguson

a Lower-Cost TE1 in Dynasty Leagues
Tyrese Maxey

Limited to 13 Points in Second-Round Opener
Joel Embiid

Stays Quiet in Game 1 Against Knicks
Jalen Brunson

Torches 76ers With 35 Points Monday
Dylan Harper

Leads Spurs With 18 Points Monday
Julius Randle

Collects First Double-Double of Postseason
Anthony Edwards

Tallies 18 Points in Comeback Game
Victor Wembanyama

Posts Unique Triple-Double
Jackson LaCombe

Sets New Record With Another Assist
Mikael Granlund

Continues Postseason Success With Third Goal
Mitchell Marner

Notches Two Points in Series-Opening Win
Ben Griffin

Looks Solid on the Surface Heading to Charlotte
Taylor Hall

Makes History With Overtime Winner
Rickie Fowler

Faces a Challenge at Quail Hollow
Nikolaj Ehlers

Collects Two Points in Comeback Win
Cale Makar

Good to Go for Game 2 Against Wild
Gary Woodland

on a Nice Wave Approaching Truist Championship
Ridly Greig

Suspended for Two Games
Sepp Straka

Hoping for More Success at Truist Championship
J.J. Spaun

Approaching Charlotte With Optimism
Alex Smalley

Carries Momentum into Truist Championship
Nicolai Hojgaard

Roller Coaster Heads to Charlotte
Keegan Bradley

Desperate to Bounce Back from Doral Encounter
Dallas Mavericks

Masai Ujiri Hired as Mavericks Team President
Anthony Edwards

to Come Off Bench Monday
Chicago Bulls

Bryson Graham Hired as Bulls Lead Executive
Jalen Williams

Sidelined Tuesday vs Lakers
Carter Bryant

Unavailable for Game 1 Against Minnesota
Anthony Edwards

Set to Return Monday with Restrictions
Joel Embiid

is Cleared for Monday's Game 1
Kevin Huerter

is Questionable for Tuesday's Contest
Ayo Dosunmu

is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Monday
Jeremy Sochan

is Available for Game 1 on Monday
Roman Anthony

Pulled Early on Monday After Tweaking his Wrist
Jhoan Duran

to Come Off the Injured List on Tuesday
Owen Tippett

Remains Out Monday
Roope Hintz

Recovering From Hamstring Injury
Tyler Seguin

Expects to Be Ready for Training Camp
Sam Carrick

Could Practice Tuesday
Alexander Nikishin

Won't Play Monday
Jeremy Lauzon

Expected to Miss Round 2
William Karlsson

Rejoins Golden Knights Lineup Monday
Jackson Chourio

Brewers Reinstate Jackson Chourio From the Injured List
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Elbow Surgery
Chase Elliott

Earns his Second Texas Motor Speedway Victory
Denny Hamlin

Misses Out on Winning at Texas
Alex Bowman

Finishes Third for the Second Week in a Row at Texas
Tyler Reddick

Earns Seventh Top-Five Finish of the Season at Texas
Chris Buescher

Scores his First Career Texas Finish in the Top Five
CFB

Bryce Underwood in Better Situation Entering Sophomore Season
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Emerging as Leader, Playmaker for UCLA
Raisel Iglesias

to be Activated on Tuesday
Orlando Magic

Jamahl Mosley Out as Magic Head Coach
Scottie Barnes

Caps Season with Efficient Game 7 Showing
Donovan Mitchell

Finishes with 22 Points in Deciding Game
Jarrett Allen

Leads Frontcourt Effort with 19 Rebounds
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Shines At UFC Perth
Jakub Dobes

Backstops Canadiens to Game 7 Victory
Beneil Dariush

Suffers A First-Round TKO Loss
Quillan Salkilld

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Quinn Hughes

Takes Over Postseason Scoring Lead With Three-Point Effort
Cale Makar

Shakes Off Injury to Collect Three Points in Game 1
Owen Tippett

a Game-Time Decision Monday
Logan Stanley

Practices Fully Sunday
Sam Carrick

Will Miss Second-Round Matchup
Tim Elliott

Drops Decision At UFC Perth
Noah Ostlund

Expected to Miss Round 2
Steve Erceg

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ollie Schmid

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Marwan Rahiki

Remains Unbeaten
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote No. 1-Ranked Prospect Bryce Eldridge to MLB Roster
Anthony Volpe

Reinstated From Injured List, Optioned to Triple-A
Ranger Suarez

Exits Sunday's Start With Hamstring Tightness
Agustín Ramírez

Marlins Demote Agustin Ramirez to Triple-A
Ben Rice

Exits Sunday's Contest With Left-Hand Contusion
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell Worth Rostering for Texas Lineups?
Cal Raleigh

Considered Day-to-Day With Soreness in his Side
William Byron

Might have the Speed to Compete for the Win at Texas
Joey Logano

Provides Solid Upside for Texas DFS Lineups
Joe Ryan

Exits Early From Start on Sunday Due to Elbow Soreness
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Pick for Texas Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Should DFS Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Texas?
Daniel Suarez

Is Daniel Suarez Worth Rostering After Career-Best Starting Position at Texas?
Daniel Palencia

Cubs Reinstate Daniel Palencia From the Injured List on Sunday
Kyle Busch

Is a DFS Risk Starting in the Top 10 at Texas
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Place Ronald Acuna Jr. on Injured List With Strained Hamstring
Nick Lodolo

Expected to Make Season Debut on Friday
Tyler Reddick

One of the Favorites to Win at Texas
Chase Elliott

Could Contend for Another Win at Texas
Carson Hocevar

on Pole at Texas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wrecks in Practice at Texas
Chris Buescher

Looking to Continue Strong Run at Texas
Austin Dillon

Blows Engine in Practice at Texas
Cal Raleigh

Scratched From Lineup, No Reason Given
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits With Left-Hamstring Tightness
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Leaves With Side Tightness, Considered Day-to-Day
Jacob Misiorowski

Leaves Start Early on Friday With Hamstring Cramp
Jack Della Maddalena

Returns At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Set For UFC Perth Main Event
Quillan Salkilld

Set For Co-Main Event
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Tim Elliott

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Ollie Schmid

Set For His UFC Debut
Marwan Rahiki

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Gary Woodland

Riding Momentum Into Cadillac Championship
Jordan Spieth

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Cadillac Championship
Adam Scott

Looks Poised for Another Strong Finish at Doral
Maverick McNealy

Needs Approach Game to Click at Doral
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

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K
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