Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (2026): Jordyn Tyson, Jeremiyah Love, Carnell Tate, Jonah Coleman, Kenyon Sadiq, Chris Brazzell II

January 19, 2026

RotoBaller's 2026 fantasy football rookie rankings for 2026 NFL rookies. These early rookie rankings are from before the NFL Draft and include RB, WR, TE, QB.

The fantasy football season has come to an end, which means dynasty fantasy football rookie drafts are right around the corner. Whether you're preparing for those or you just want an early look at the new rookie class for redraft purposes, we're here to help with our  2026 fantasy football rookie rankings for all positions. In the rankings below, check out where key RBs, WRs, TEs, and QBs such as Jordyn Tyson, Jeremiyah Love, Carnell Tate, Jonah Coleman, Kenyon Sadiq, and Chris Brazzell II stand in these January rookie ranks.

We will update these rookie rankings all offseason long, and there will be major shake-ups based on all of the NFL prospect offseason activities, including the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and NFL Draft. It's worth noting that not all of these collegiate players have declared for the NFL Draft yet, and players will be removed and added as those announcements come out. It's never too early to start your research and homework on rising NFL players, so let's get to it! These initial 2026 rookie rankings are put together by Jackson Sparks and Phil Clark.

In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2026 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty League rankings. Bookmark that page, and use it to prepare for all of your 2026 fantasy football dynasty league drafts.

2026 NFL Rookie Rankings for Fantasy Football

Check out our PPR fantasy football rankings and standard (non-PPR) fantasy football rankings as well:

Fantasy Football NFL Rookie News and Outlooks

Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Washington running back Jonah Coleman has been one of the most productive running backs in college football since joining the Huskies in 2024, rushing 349 times for 1,811 yards and 25 touchdowns over his last 25 games. He's also been a productive receiver, snagging 54 receptions for 531 yards and two scores in his Washington career. With Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love locked into the top running back prospect slot, Coleman is among the contenders to be the second running back off the 2026 NFL Draft board.

With a do-it-all skill set at 220 pounds, Coleman's testing numbers at the 2026 NFL Combine could carry significant weight in his draft stock. Either way, he's a clear top-five rookie running back in the upcoming NFL Draft at this point in the offseason, making him an intriguing dynasty fantasy football pick. With the right landing spot, he could be a contributor right away.

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. It was speculated that the Tennessee native would likely return to college if it was not indicated that he would go in Round 1 after feedback from NFL scouts, which means he must have heard some positive news regarding his draft stock. In the middle of the 2025 season, Simpson was the betting favorite to be the No. 1 pick in April's draft. However, his play cooled off, and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza emerged as the clear QB1.

Still, Simpson's overall body of work in his lone season as a starter suggests he's first-round-worthy in a QB-needy NFL. In 15 games, Simpson completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He added two scores as a runner. With Dante Moore going back to Oregon, Simpson looks like the QB2 in the upcoming class. This will make him a clear first-rounder in superflex dynasty fantasy football drafts.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson declared for the 2026 NFL Draft in December, and the two-time All-Big-12 performer is projected to be a top 15 pick in April. Tyson is among the shortlist of wide receivers in contention to be the first player at the position off the board. Naturally, this will make him a top pick in upcoming dynasty fantasy football rookie drafts.

Tyson enjoyed a breakout year in 2024, snagging 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was limited to nine games in 2025, but he still produced 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight scores. The 21-year-old is an excellent route runner for his size (6'2", 200), and he has strong body control and leaping ability for contested catches. WR-needy teams with young quarterbacks like the Titans and Saints are potential landing spots for the top-end wide receiver prospect.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

University of Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is leaving school early and entering the 2026 NFL Draft, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. Across 14 games for the Ducks in 2025, Sadiq recorded 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. Sadiq, who will play the entirety of his rookie season in the NFL at just 21 years old, is widely considered the top tight end prospect in the draft and appears likely to be a first-round selection.

Per Thamel, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Sadiq ranked as the number 10 overall player in the 2026 draft class. Regardless of where he ends up being selected, Sadiq could have a chance to contribute at the NFL level immediately. For fantasy managers in both redraft and dynasty formats, Sadiq is a name to know heading into the 2026 season.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is the consensus top fantasy football rookie in 2026, and the 20-year-old is expected to be a first-round pick in April's NFL Draft. The Missouri native had a fantastic career in South Bend, particularly in his sophomore and junior seasons. In his last 28 collegiate games, Love rushed 362 times for 2,497 yards (6.9 YPC) and 35 touchdowns. He added 55 receptions for 517 yards and five scores through the air. He was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, the Doak Walker Award Winner, and a Unanimous All-American after his final season with the Irish.

Love has game-breaking speed, high-end elusiveness, receiving chops, elite vision, and impressive athleticism at 215 pounds. He checks all the boxes of a future NFL workhorse, and if he fetches early-first-round draft capital as expected, he will likely carry an RB1 outlook immediately in his rookie campaign. He's the clear No. 1 pick in single-QB dynasty rookie drafts, and he'll be in play for the top pick in superflex drafts.

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is projected as a first-round pick if he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, joining former teammates Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka in the long line of Buckeye receivers to hear their names called on Day 1 in recent years. Tate hasn't been as productive as some of the recent Ohio State first-round pass-catchers, but he's been sharing the field with mega-star Jeremiah Smith. As a junior in 2025, Tate set career highs in receiving yards (875), yards per reception (17.2), and receiving touchdowns (nine).

The former five-star recruit has been on the NFL radar since the moment he stepped on campus in Columbus, and the 6'3" pass-catcher could be a quarterback's best friend as soon as he steps on an NFL field. While his resume doesn't stack up with some of the Ohio State greats that are dominating the league right now, he's been in a pro-ready system and will likely earn Round 1 draft capital, making him an exciting NFL prospect for dynasty fantasy football managers.

Carson Beck, QB, Miami

Miami quarterback Carson Beck was once viewed as a future top signal-caller prospect for the NFL Draft, but his final season at Georgia put a damper on his outlook. After throwing for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in 2023, Beck threw double the interceptions in 2024, and his Bulldogs career ended after suffering an elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game. Now, in Miami, the sixth-year senior has the Canes in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game behind 3,581 passing yards, 31 total touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

The 23-year-old has prototypical NFL size at 6'4", 225 pounds, and we've seen the stock of quarterbacks rise dramatically in the past following great postseason runs. Although he's highly unlikely to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, he may be playing himself into the third round after coming into the season as a Day 3 prospect. He's an interesting dynasty quarterback stash option in Superflex leagues.

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