Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings for 2026 (Pre-NFL Draft) - Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, KC Concepcion

February 28, 2026

RotoBaller's updated 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 2025-26 NFL season is officially over, and it's time for arguably the best part of being in dynasty fantasy football leagues. Rookie drafts are just ahead! We're here to help with our 2026 fantasy football rookie rankings for all positions. Below, check out the top 105 rookies for 2026, including Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, KC Concepcion, and more.

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 NFL Combine and NFL Draft. 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:

2026 Fantasy Football NFL Rookie News and Outlooks

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price shared a backfield with Heisman runner-up Jeremiyah Love for his entire collegiate career, but the 22-year-old flashed enough for many to consider him the second-best RB prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class. While playing second-fiddle to Love over the last two seasons, Price rushed 233 times for 1,420 yards (6.1 YPC) and 18 touchdowns in 28 games. He also secured three touchdown receptions.

Price is a dangerous kick returner, tallying 12 returns for 450 yards and two touchdowns in his final collegiate campaign. Love is expected to be the lone first-round NFL Draft pick among running backs, but Price could earn his way into Round 2 with a strong predraft process. Given the lack of high-end talent at the RB position in this rookie class, Price could end up as a consensus first-round pick in dynasty rookie 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.

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier did not live up to preseason expectations in 2025, throwing for just 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games. However, the redshirt senior was dealing with abdominal and torso injuries that reportedly limited his core strength and mechanics. His 2024 season was far more productive, as the veteran tossed for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions after replacing Jayden Daniels in Baton Rouge. Once viewed as a potential top-20 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Nussmeier now has a third-round projection.

That said, the 2026 rookie quarterback class is lacking depth, as Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Alabama's Ty Simpson appear to be the only first-round locks. Fresh off a Senior Bowl MVP appearance, Nussmeier could be pushed into the second round if he performs well during the pre-draft process.

If that happens, he should be expected to see starting playing time at some point in his first few seasons in the NFL. Four of the last five quarterbacks selected in Round 2 (Tyler Shough, Will Levis, Jalen Hurts, and Drew Lock) have had their shots at the starting role. If Nussmeier falls to Round 3 or 4, his chances to see the field early in his career diminish greatly.

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. reportedly had a standout week at the 2026 Senior Bowl, and the physical ball carrier could sneak his way into the top five of the upcoming rookie class. Washington spent three years at Buffalo before one season at New Mexico State and one season at Arkansas. In his lone season in the SEC last year, he set career highs in carries (167), rushing yards (1,070), rushing touchdowns (eight), receptions (28), and receiving yards (226).

Overall, he tallied 660 touches for 3,384 yards and 29 touchdowns in 51 games across five collegiate seasons. Washington has impressive speed and pass-catching chops at 220-plus pounds, making him an appealing addition to an NFL backfield. If he can continue to perform well during the pre-draft process, he could fetch high enough draft capital to set himself up to be a Day-1 contributor as a pro.

Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State

Former Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (foot) suffered a broken foot during Thursday's Senior Bowl practice, according to Rich Scarcella of The Reading Eagle. Singleton broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will have surgery early next week in Alabama.

He's expected to attend the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 to March 2, but he won't be able to participate in on-field activities now. Injuries have been an issue for Singleton over the last year, as he also had surgery on his thumb last January to fix a torn ligament. It's unclear if his foot injury will change anything, but Singleton has been projected as one of the top-five RBs available in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is Penn State's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,586) and total touchdowns (55), and he ranks fourth with 3,461 career rushing yards.

Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky

Kentucky running back Seth McGowan is expected to be a Day 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he could carve out a role as an early-down grinder with the right landing spot in April. McGowan had an eventful collegiate career, starting in 2021 at Oklahoma. He did not play in 2022 after being dismissed from the Sooners' program. He then spent one season at Butler Community College, one season at New Mexico State, and one season with the Wildcats.

In 2025, he rushed 165 times for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns. At 6'1" and 215 pounds, McGowan is a violent downhill runner, but he lacks big-time ability to evade tackles and doesn't have high-end speed at the position. Either way, he could make his mark as a goal-line back and in short-yardage situations at the next level.

More Dynasty Fantasy Football Analysis