Rookies to Target in Early 2026 Fantasy Football Best Ball Drafts

February 14, 2026

Dan breaks down his six favorite fantasy football rookies to target in early 2026 best ball drafts. His best rookies to draft in best ball for the 2026 season.

The Seattle Seahawks are officially Super Bowl Champions for the 2025-2026 season, which means it is time to start shifting focus to the offseason. However, die-hard best ball fans have had the ability to draft lineups for weeks on platforms like Underdog Fantasy.

There are still many months of offseason events, like free agency and the NFL Draft, ahead of us that can change the landscape of the league. However, that also means that fantasy managers who are willing to take risks and bet on their evaluations or the upside of landing spots can now get excellent value.

Below, you will find several rookies worth targeting in early 2026 best-ball drafts. ADP listed is from Underdog Fantasy.

Fernando Mendoza, QB21

ADP: 132.2

The quarterback position is a clear weakness in this rookie class. That said, the one quarterback who can have an impact on fantasy football in 2026, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, is currently being drafted in a place that offers plenty of upside for fantasy managers.

Mendoza took college football by storm while leading the Hoosiers to a National Championship last season. He completed 72.0% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also showed adequate mobility, adding 90 carries for 276 yards and seven touchdowns.

The presumed first overall pick doesn’t have the greatest natural talent, but he has enough arm strength to attack defenses all over the field. More importantly, his final year in college showed a quarterback who is willing to stay in the pocket and deliver accurate passes downfield, especially on back-shoulder throws. He is far from a perfect prospect (especially under pressure), but there are also no worries about him being ready to start immediately in 2026.

FERNANDO MENDOZA WITH AN ABSOLUTE DART FOR THE TD 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ij31Jes1YU

— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2026

It is almost certain that Mendoza will be the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders since they hold the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders head into the 2026 offseason with an exciting, offensive-minded head coach (Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak) and the second-most cap space ($87.8 million) heading into free agency.

Mendoza could have plenty to work with next season if the Raiders can upgrade their offensive line and add more pass-catching weapons to complement tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Drafting him at QB21 is a reasonable price to pay for a player who could see his value increase with a few strong additions this offseason.

Jonah Coleman, RB36

ADP: 118.5

University of Washington running back Jonah Coleman is considered a top-5 running back in the 2026 draft class by most sources. Coleman started his career with the University of Arizona, but really saw his stock rise after transferring to Washington after the 2023 season.

Over the last two years, Coleman has racked up 349 carries for 1,811 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and 25 touchdowns while adding 54 receptions for 531 yards and two touchdowns. Coleman consistently showed above-average contact balance throughout college, but lacks top-end speed to be a game-breaking talent. He is a solid pass-catching option on check-downs but won’t necessarily be utilized as a weapon down the field.

Coleman is expected to be a day two draft pick in the NFL draft and should be able to contribute right away as a starter. If he lands in a system that will utilize him around the goal line, he could have significant touchdown upside as a rookie. He should earn a role as a rookie that will justify his ninth or 10th round draft capital, especially if he’s drafted in the second or third round of the NFL Draft.

Emmett Johnson, RB41

ADP: 132.9

Emmett Johnson is not nearly as powerful as Coleman as a rusher, but he possesses just enough patience with even more burst to generate chunk plays. Additionally, Johnson will have the ability to carve out a role as a team’s pass-catching back as soon as he enters the NFL.

Johnson was seldom used in his first two seasons at Nebraska (90 carries for 411 yards and two touchdowns with seven receptions for 46 yards), but carved out a bigger role in 2024. In that season, Johnson was the change-of-pace running back (117 carries for 598 yards and a touchdown), but was heavily used as a pass catcher (39 receptions for 286 yards and two touchdowns).

In 2025, the whole thing came together. Johnson dominated touches out of the backfield in his second season, racking up 251 carries for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 46 receptions for 370 yards and three touchdowns.

Like Coleman, Johnson is expected to come off the board in the second or third round of the NFL Draft. His skill set gives him multiple ways to hit (as a primary ball carrier, pass-catching weapon, or both) at the NFL level, making him an excellent pick as the RB41 in fantasy drafts.

Makai Lemon, WR30

ADP: 61.7

The 2026 wide receiver draft class is deep, but three players (Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, and Jordyn Tyson) are universally viewed as the top options. For many, ranking them will be a matter of personal preference. All three receivers are coming off the board in the same range of early best ball drafts, with Lemon being the final one drafted at WR30. That is where he generates value.

Lemon had a fantastic final season at the University of Southern California, catching 79 of 108 targets for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was third among all draft-eligible receivers in yards per route run (3.13) and seventh in yards after the catch (502).

Sometimes Makai Lemon's routes were so good that he would hit his third fake and run back into the coverage because they were still responding to the first fake. pic.twitter.com/nILO4xYdpi

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) January 10, 2026

He is not the biggest or most explosive receiver, but Lemon is a savvy route runner who has a great understanding of finding soft spots in zones and secure catches. He’s also dynamic once the ball is in his hands and consistently can make plays after the catch, weaving in and out of defenders.

His lack of size and speed will likely mean he’s featured more in the slot at the NFL level, but he is also capable of playing outside when needed. That will limit his upside, but won’t be enough to keep him out of the first round (and potentially the top 15) in the NFL Draft.

NFL defenses today are designed to limit big plays, so having players who can generate them after the catch is essential. Lemon is a player with a skill set that can generate those big plays after the catch and could be the top wide receiver in this draft class. Grabbing him as the WR30 (and third among the rookie class) is a bargain.

Omar Cooper Jr., WR88

ADP 215.9

One player who is currently being overlooked in early best ball drafts is Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Cooper led the Hoosiers in receiving in 2025, racking up 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 15.6 yards per reception in his career and led the Big 10 in yards per reception in 2024 (21.2).

On the field, Cooper is a sure-handed slot receiver who is able to create big plays after the catch. He had the eighth-most yards after the catch (494) among all draft-eligible players. He isn’t the most explosive player, but he frequently showcased amazing body control, including his amazing catch against Penn State during the regular season.

OMAR COOPER UNREAL CATCH FOR THE TD 😱🤯

WHAT A GAME. WHAT A CATCH. @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/PhHzKjuVB9

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025

Cooper is expected to go off the board in the second or third round of the NFL Draft. If that happens, it means that teams are expecting him to be a contributor, if not a starter, in his first season. Cooper is currently being drafted as the WR88 in early best ball drafts. He is an excellent bet to be a late-round best ball pick that can provide scoring weeks in your lineup next season.

Eli Stowers, TE33

ADP: 224.5

Kenyon Sadiq gets all the attention in this tight end class, but Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers was statistically more impressive. Stowers finished second among draft-eligible tight ends in targets (62) and receptions (62) and led the group in receiving yards (769) while catching four touchdowns. He was also second in yards per route run (2.55) and yards after the catch (377). That helped him win the Mackey Award for the nation’s top tight end in 2025.

Stowers isn’t the biggest tight end (6-foot-4, 215 pounds), but he makes up for it with his athleticism and versatility on offense, with reliable hands. In his final season at Vanderbilt, he participated on 90.4% of the team’s routes, with 66.4% of his routes coming in the slot.

Offenses in today’s NFL are trying to find tight ends who can create mismatches in 12 personnel (two tight end sets). Stowers acumen as a pass catcher fits that bill perfectly and could see him drafted in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. He is a perfect target in the final rounds of best ball drafts and can easily find his way into fantasy lineups weekly if he can find his way into the end zone.

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