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Scott Engel's ideal landing spots for the top 12 fantasy football rookies in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Which teams could best unlock the potential of these top rookies?
Forecasting picks in the NFL Draft is always fun, but also always challenging, as we never know what is truly going on inside the “war rooms” of NFL teams. Yet we always want to try our best and project where the top offensive players may end up for fantasy purposes.
We share the best and most likely 2026 NFL Draft destinations for the top 12 fantasy football rookies, based on RotoBaller’s most recent rookie rankings for superflex formats. The analysis and ranks apply heavily to yearly leagues because only one QB is on the list, and we are not wasting space with a landing spot for Fernando Mendoza. These are the top 12 other than Mendoza, with projected ideal landing spots to be a combination of where a player has a good chance to land, along with where he might fit best into an offense.
Of course, the possible and optimal teams listed here for the players have a very good chance of being altered due to trades and unforeseen selections. We go mainly by team needs here, although any of these guys could land elsewhere just because they are considered the “best player on the board” at any time.
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Jeremiyah Love - RB, Notre Dame
Ideal Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans
This year, Love is in a class by himself as the only running back who may get picked in the Top 10 and the singular player at the position that will be picked in the top 5 overall in dynasty drafts. The teams that have been associated with him the most are the Cardinals (No. 3 overall pick) and the Titans (No. 4 overall).
Washington might be the best spot for Love in terms of the need and the offensive talent around him, but the former Notre Dame superstar might not slip past the fourth spot. In the short term, Arizona may have a more productive quarterback in Jacoby Brissett for now, but from a longer-term perspective, Love is a perfect fit as a backfield partner to Cam Ward.
Love might have to share some touches with Tyler Allgeier in Arizona, and Tony Pollard is still in Tennessee for now. In yearly leagues, the Cardinals may have a better offense in the shorter term, but Love can make a bigger impact now and possibly later with the Titans.
Carnell Tate - WR, Ohio State
Ideal Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns
The most complete wide receiver in the NFL Draft, Tate can make his presence felt right away in dynasty fantasy football leagues. One of the several Ohio State products to possibly be taken in the top 10, Tate won’t be on the board past the eighth overall pick.
The teams picking five through eight in the first round (Giants, Browns, Commanders, Saints) could all benefit greatly from drafting Tate. The Giants also recently traded for the No. 10 overall pick and don’t have to force the WR selection at fifth.
A Malik Nabers/Tate duo would benefit all the prime players involved in the Giants' offense, but he has been mocked widely to Cleveland. The Browns do have an apparent need for an alpha WR, no matter whether they see a solid QB starter emerge this season or bring in another one in 2027.
It would be better to see Tate paired with Jaxson Dart or Jayden Daniels, and the Saints would be thrilled to see him slip. Still, the most likely destination appears to be Cleveland. He would certainly have a better chance to emerge as a No. 1 WR for his new pro team sooner with the Browns.
Makai Lemon - WR, USC
Ideal Landing Spot: New Orleans Saints
The Biletnikoff Award winner is frequently linked to the Los Angeles Rams by many draft analysts, but will he actually be available after the top 12 are taken? Lemon can be an instant and reliable contributor for a young quarterback and a needy passing game.
USC WR Makai Lemon, one of the Draft’s top players at his position, is working out for the #Saints (Pick No. 8) today and has already worked out for the #Commanders (Pick No. 7).
Lemon visited the #Browns (6 and 24) last week and has the #Titans (4) this week. pic.twitter.com/LJXcCQ2AG9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 24, 2026
I’m going to predict that Lemon doesn’t make it out of the top 10. If the Browns tab Tate, there is a legitimate shot that Lemon could be taken by the Commanders, Saints, or the Giants with their second of two top 10 picks. If Washington chooses to address defense with their first pick, the Saints could be an appealing destination for Lemon.
If the former Trojan does make it to the 10th spot, he could fit in very well as a top receiving partner for Nabers and a stick-mover for Dart. Tyler Shough’s style would work well with Lemon’s skill set, and he could also learn well from Chris Olave. New Orleans is a good place for the 2025 first-team AP All-American to start producing well enough in PPR formats right away.
Jordyn Tyson - WR, Arizona State
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Giants
If injuries were not something of a concern, Tyson could surely be one of the first two WRs taken on Thursday. Even with that issue, it would be a minor surprise to see him fall out of the top 10.
Tyson projects to be a quality producer right away in the NFL because he has good size, and he is also a good route runner. While he may not be an explosive target, the former Arizona State star can do it all otherwise and slot in well as a highly dependable target for his new QB.
Washington could be a possible suitor, and New Orleans is certainly another possibility. But the Giants would be a good team to begin his career with, as he works in a passing game that would suddenly get another boost with his arrival. Tyson would also not be forced to be the No. 1 WR right away with Nabers already handling that duty.
KC Concepcion - WR, Texas A&M
Ideal Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens
There could be a wide range of outcomes for Concepcion in the first round. He is less likely to be a top 10 pick but could be taken in the mid-teens or the 20s, in what should be a compelling first round for wide receiver results.
NFL.com compares Concepcion to former Seahawks No. 1 WR Doug Baldwin, who challenged defenses at every level with his techniques and solid fundamental play. He is no blazer, but he can beat defenders with burst and quickness.
The Miami Dolphins are an obvious team with a major WR need at No. 11, but Miami has a plethora of needs and can take a quality WR late in the first round or beyond. The Rams have been linked to WRs, but for now, that is a crowded situation. If he goes off the board prior to the top 20, the Ravens are a comfortable fit, as they have never provided Lamar Jackson with a true No. 1 WR.
A pairing of Concepcion and Zay Flowers would give Jackson his best potential WR duo ever. The Jets (No. 16) also have the glaring need, and the Steelers (No. 21) and Eagles (No. 23) are other possibilities. Concepcion may not be picked inside the top 20, but if he is, Baltimore would be a good place to open his NFL career.
Omar Cooper Jr. - WR, Texas A&M
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Jets
Cooper makes sense on a team that is looking for a potentially dynamic playmaker. He could add a real spark to a passing game. The Jets have been linked to Cooper, and could certainly use a jolt from a complementary target to Garrett Wilson. If Geno Smith can recapture much of his early Seattle form, Cooper could display some upside as a rookie.
USC WR Makai Lemon, one of the Draft’s top players at his position, is working out for the #Saints (Pick No. 8) today and has already worked out for the #Commanders (Pick No. 7).
In @MelKiperESPN’s mock draft, he has the Jets taking:
2. EDGE David Bailey
16. WR Omar Cooper Jr.
33. LB CJ Allen
44. CB Brandon Cisse pic.twitter.com/GnC1hPiZEU— SleeperJets (@SleeperJets) April 15, 2026
The No. 2 WR spot has been a gaping hole in the offense for some time now. But if the Jets pass on Cooper, he could conceivably end up in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo (No. 26), or San Francisco (No. 27).
Denzel Boston - WR, Washington
Ideal Landing Spot: Buffalo Bills
With his last name, Boston would be a great selection for New England at No. 31, but the Patriots already acquired Romeo Doubs and are heavily rumored to be the team that lands A.J. Brown in an offseason trade. He has considerable TD promise as a pro.
A team that is favoring a big, tough target could be the best scenario for Boston. Many mocks have him going later in the first round to teams such as Buffalo, San Francisco, Kansas City (No. 29), and Miami (No. 30). He would be a very good partner for D.J. Moore with the Bills, and finally give Josh Allen two surefire starting types at WR.
Kenyon Sadiq - TE, Oregon
Ideal Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers
Tight end premium drafters, including those who play in FFPC leagues, will be very interested to see which team picks Sadiq, because he could be the next rookie TE to quickly emerge as a standout in his first pro season. There have been mentions of the Ravens after Isaiah Likely moved on, but the Panthers (No. 19) are a popular projected destination.
Carolina could certainly benefit from a prime pass-catching TE as a necessary option for Bryce Young. Sadiq and Tetairoa McMillan would be a good pairing for the Panthers’ offense.
Jadarian Price - RB, Notre Dame
Ideal Landing Spot: Seattle Seahawks
This may be the second of two RBs taken in the first round, and Price is a popular target to begin his NFL journey with the defending Super Bowl champions. The Seahawks must find a replacement for Kenneth Walker III, and Price has much appeal as a potential TD producer.
Which player at RB, EDGE, or CB would be the biggest "home run" first pick for the #Seahawks?
"I would say Jadarian Price. If we looked up next year and he had a 1,100-1,200 yard rookie season, it wouldn't shock me. He's really talented."@MoveTheSticks details why Price would… pic.twitter.com/rFvu2D8zvX
— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) April 8, 2026
But Seattle could also trade out of the last pick of the first round, where it could still consider Price if they still maintain a higher second-round slot. But the Seahawks could also opt for a cornerback or an edge type. If Seattle does not tab Price at 32, the Cardinals and Titans could be back in play for an RB early in the second round if either or both pass on Love.
Ty Simpson - QB, Alabama
Ideal Landing Spot: New York Jets
Simpson will almost surely be the second QB taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, yet he may be taken in the second round. Arizona at 34 or the Jets at 44 are frequently mentioned destinations. In either spot, he would not be a fantasy option to begin his first season, but working with and under Jacoby Brissett or Geno Smith could be good for his dynasty outlook.
I would like to see the Jets take a WR with one of their first-rounders and have Wilson and another starter already penciled in for Simpson as his eventual top pass-catchers.
Elijah Sarratt - WR, Indiana
Ideal Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins
He’s a possession type who may not have a high ceiling as a fantasy WR, yet could still emerge as a quality PPR option. He could be picked in the second or third round, making it more challenging to forecast who might make the call to bring him in. The Chiefs (No. 40) and Dolphins (No. 43) could be comfortable suitors, and Sarratt could surely make a quicker impact in Miami.
Eli Stowers - TE, Vanderbilt
Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
The consensus second TE to be taken, possibly in the second round, Stowers might not be an immediate fantasy asset, but he has significant longer-term promise. I could see Stowers being picked by Kansas City (No. 40), Carolina (No. 51), or Philadelphia (No. 54).
You may have to approach Stowers with some fantasy patience, so down the line, the Chiefs could be the preferred fit as an eventual replacement for Travis Kelce.
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