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2016 NFL Rookie Rankings for Fantasy Football (Top 100)

There have been some amazing transitions throughout the evolution of fantasy football, and it likely isn’t going to stop now. First, there were standard season-long leagues. Eventually, PPR leagues developed, but most leagues continued to be only for one season. The dynasty league was the next development, but it was more of a limited dynasty league, as many leagues had a maximum number of keepers. The dynasty league is shifting to allow as many keepers as the teams would like, while only having a rookie draft.

Generally, dynasty leagues allow as many keepers as each team pleases, while having a draft that is filled with rookies and free agents. It’s impossible to know what free agents will be available in everyone’s leagues, so these rankings are only for rookies. If you want to see where I have ranked other players ranked, be sure to check out my Dynasty League Rankings.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

2016 NFL Rookie Rankings Analysis

The 2016 rookie class was not filled with many dominant quarterbacks. As is the case in any draft, quarterbacks were over-selected, as Goff and Wentz were the first two players taken. Keep in mind that the draft position of players in the NFL Draft should have little to no impact on the draft position of the players in your rookie draft. This is especially true when dealing with quarterbacks.

The running backs in this class are fairly impressive. Ezekiel Elliott is in a tier of his own, but the other running backs come with great upside. There are 12 running backs in the top 25 rookies, which shows the depth of this class. The majority of the running backs have great hands out of the backfield, which will help them get on the field immediately, and it also helps them in PPR formats. As everyone knows, running backs are never safe picks because of the running-back-by-committee mentality in the NFL, but that doesn’t take away from their potential.

Wide receivers are one of the best examples of a position that doesn’t need draft pedigree to be successful. The best example is Antonio Brown, who was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He’s now one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, while other receivers that were drafted before him, such as Arrelious Benn and Jordan Shipley, have fizzled out. Obviously first round picks may have a bit more leeway than the later-round players, but there is definitely value to be had late in the draft.

Tight end is a position that tends to go overlooked, especially in rookie drafts. Sure, there might not be the next Rob Gronkowski any time soon, but there will be TE1s coming in the draft. Plus, someone has to become the new Gronkowski at some point. Keep in mind, tight ends are quickly becoming receivers in the NFL, and they are a sneaky way to get great PPR points if they are in the right situation.

Overall, this draft was fairly loaded with running backs and wide receivers. The tight ends aren’t elite, but they do come with upside. The same can be said for the quarterbacks, although they all come with quite a bit of risk, as well.

 

2016 Rookie Fantasy Football League Rankings

1 Ezekiel Elliott RB
2 Josh Doctson WR
3 Corey Coleman WR
4 Sterling Shepard WR
5 Laquon Treadwell WR
6 Mike Thomas WR
7 Derrick Henry RB
8 Kenneth Dixon RB
9 Tajae Sharpe WR
10 C.J. Prosise RB
11 Will Fuller WR
12 Paul Perkins RB
13 Leonte Carroo WR
14 Kenyan Drake RB
15 Jordan Howard RB
16 Tyler Boyd WR
17 Devontae Booker RB
18 Malcolm Mitchell WR
19 Hunter Henry TE
20 Carson Wentz QB
21 Jared Goff QB
22 Jonathan Williams RB
23 Wendell Smallwood RB
24 Alex Collins RB
25 DeAndre Washington RB
26 Pharoh Cooper WR
27 Rashard Higgins WR
28 Paxton Lynch QB
29 Keith Marshall RB
30 Braxton Miller WR
31 Austin Hooper TE
32 Tyler Ervin RB
33 Michael Thomas WR
34 Tyler Higbee TE
35 Jordan Payton WR
36 Demarcus Robinson WR
37 Josh Ferguson RB
38 Kolby Listenbee WR
39 Ricardo Louis WR
40 Jerell Adams TE
41 Kenny Lawler WR
42 Cardale Jones QB
43 Charone Peake WR
44 Kelvin Taylor RB
45 Darius Jackson RB
46 Dak Prescott QB
47 Daniel Braverman WR
48 Connor Cooker QB
49 Cody Kessler QB
50 Chris Moore WR
51 Nick Vannett TE
52 Thomas Duarte TE
53 Christian Hackenberg QB
54 Jeff Driskel QB
55 Jakeem Grant WR
56 Aaron Burbridge WR
57 Seth DeValve TE
58 Jacoby Brissett QB
59 Kevin Hogan QB
60 Keyarris Garrett WR
61 Roger Lewis WR
62 Daniel Lasco RB
63 Devin Lucien WR
64 Moritz Boehringer WR
65 Brandon Wilds RB
66 Marquez North WR
67 Cody Core WR
68 Mitch Mathews WR
69 Demarcus Ayers WR
70 Dwayne Washington RB
71 Trevor Davis WR
72 Devin Fuller WR
73 Temarrick Hemmingway TE
74 Rico Gathers TE
75 Keenan Reynolds WR
76 Tyreek Hill WR
77 Devon Johnson RB
78 Nate Sudfeld QB
79 Brandon Allen QB
80 Devon Cajuste WR
81 Cayleb Jones WR
82 DJ Foster RB
83 Zac Brooks RB
84 Beau Sandland TE
85 David Morgan TE
86 Jalin Marshall WR
87 Jake Rudock QB
88 Brandon Doughty QB
89 Byron Marshall WR
90 Bryce Williams TE
91 Trevone Boykin QB
92 Jay Lee WR
93 Nelson Spruce WR
94 Peyton Barter RB
95 Hunter Sharp WR
96 D'haquille Williams WR
97 Jhurell Pressley RB
98 Jaydon Mickens WR
99 K.J. Maye WR
100 Dom Williams WR

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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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RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP