TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

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?

Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 is back with a massive $100,000 grand prize and $203,250 total prize pool, paying down to 100th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 8 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 17th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $100,000! Sign Up Now!

 

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

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]
NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room


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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Josh Lowe

Angels Acquire Josh Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Kyle Tucker

Signs Four-Year Contract With Dodgers
Kyle Kuzma

Available Versus Spurs
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Active on Thursday
Cooper Flagg

Sidelined Thursday
Ricky Pearsall

Questionable to Play on Saturday Night
Sam Darnold

Questionable With Oblique Injury, Expected to Play
Tobias Harris

Active on Thursday
Isaiah Stewart

Jalen Duran and Isaiah Stewart Set to Return Against Suns
Anthony Edwards

Out Again on Friday Night
Damon Severson

Back for Blue Jackets Thursday
Adin Hill

Available Thursday Night
Darius Garland

Won't Play on Friday Evening
Brandon Montour

Activated From Injured Reserve
Joel Eriksson Ek

Misses Third Straight Game Thursday
Jonas Brodin

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Domantas Sabonis

Might Return on Friday Night
Miro Heiskanen

Misses Second Straight Game
STL

Robert Thomas to Miss at Least Two Weeks
Jerami Grant

Likely to Play Against the Hawks on Thursday
Tom Wilson

Remains Out Thursday
Deni Avdija

Ruled Out Thursday
Jakob Chychrun

Available Thursday
Clayton Kershaw

to Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
P.J. Washington

Questionable Against the Jazz
Max Christie

Unlikely to Return to Action on Thursday
Mitchell Robinson

Will Sit Out Thursday
Landry Shamet

Could Return Thursday
Jalen Brunson

Out on Thursday Against Golden State
Daniel Gafford

Questionable Thursday Against the Jazz
Patrick Mahomes

Says Rehab Going "Great," Goal is 2026 Week 1 Return
Cooper Flagg

Is Unlikely To Play Thursday Against Utah
Lauri Markkanen

Will Not Be Available Thursday Against Dallas
Davion Mitchell

Ruled Out Thursday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Will Not Play Against the Celtics
Nico Collins

a "Long Shot" to Play in Divisional Round
CFB

Auburn, Ohio State the Lead Suitors for Kyle Parker
CFB

Oregon QB Transfer Bryson Beaver Linked to Georgia, Kentucky
CFB

Jake Merklinger Commits to UConn
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Finalizing Deal With Giants
Mackenzie Blackwood

Activated From Injured Reserve
Ben Griffin

Looks To Stay Hot In 2026
Tom Wilson

Cleared for Contact, Could Return Thursday
Neal Pionk

Lands on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Jamie Drysdale

Activated From Injured Reserve
Corey Perry

Unavailable Wednesday
Teuvo Teravainen

to Miss at Least One Game
Connor Bedard

Returns to Practice
Alexandre Texier

Canadiens Sign Alexandre Texier to Two-Year Extension
New York Giants

Giants Making "Massive Push" to Hire John Harbaugh on Wednesday
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Agrees to Five-Year Deal With Red Sox
CFB

Dante Moore Not Entering 2026 NFL Draft, Will Return to Oregon
NFL

Mike Tomlin Doesn't Plan to Coach in 2026
Travis Hunter

Expected to Play More Defense in 2026
CFB

FBS Coaches Unanimously Vote to Expand Redshirt Eligibility to Nine Games
CFB

Ohio State Transfer Mylan Graham Signs with Notre Dame
CFB

Caden Durham Withdraws from Transfer Portal, Will Stay at LSU
Leon Draisaitl

Has Three Points in Tuesday's Loss
Joel Hofer

Controls Hurricanes Tuesday
Jordan Spieth

Perhaps the Most Intriguing Player at Sony Open
Jeremy Swayman

Posts First Shutout of the Season
Zach Werenski

Totals Three Points in Tuesday's Win
Chandler Stephenson

Available Wednesday
Aaron Rai

Looking For Putting Confidence at Waialae Country Club
Collin Morikawa

Isn't The Safe Play He Used to Be Ahead of Sony Open
Kurt Kitayama

Needs His Putting to Turn Around For Success at Year's First Event
Ryan Weathers

Yankees Add Rotation Depth, Acquire Ryan Weathers in Four-Player Deal
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Fire Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman
Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin Stepping Down as Steelers Head Coach
CFB

Georgia Tech the Favorite to Land Justice Haynes?
Nolan Arenado

Cardinals Trade Nolan Arenado to Diamondbacks
Tom Kim

Desperately Needs a Solid Week at Sony Open
Billy Horschel

Hoping For a Fast Start to New Season at Sony Open
Corey Conners

Looks to Have a Return to Form in 2026
PGA

Chris Gotterup a Decent Play at Sony Open
Gary Woodland

Could Prosper at the Sony Open
Keith Mitchell

Unlikely to Contend at Sony Open
Robert MacIntyre

Looking for a Good Performance at the Sony Open
Michael Kim

Hopes to Start Sony Open Better This Week
Tom Hoge

Tries to Erase Poor 2025 Second Half in Hawaii
Brian Harman

Seeks Fresh Start in Hawaii
Eric Cole

Looks to Last Year for Success at Sony Open
Daniel Berger

Starts Off 2026 at Sony Open
Nico Collins

Suffers Concussion Against Steelers
Nico Collins

Carted to Locker Room for Concussion Evaluation
Kyle Tucker

Mets Meet With Kyle Tucker
Dalton Kincaid

"Should be Fine" for Divisional Round
Brooks Koepka

Officially Returning To PGA Tour
Tucker Kraft

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1 of Next Season
CFB

Georgia Lands Kentucky Transfer Dante Dowdell
Matthew Stafford

has "Little Sprain," Should be "Good to Go"
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Sign with LSU
Green Bay Packers

Packers Expected to Work Out New Deal With Matt LaFleur in the "Coming Days"
CFB

Dylan Raiola Commits to Oregon
CFB

Isaiah Horton Landing with Texas A&M
George Kittle

Suffers Torn Achilles on Sunday
Omarion Hampton

Active for Wild-Card Round Against Patriots
George Kittle

Ruled Out After Non-Contact Achilles Injury
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Request Interview With Ejiro Evero
Los Angeles Rams

Mike LaFleur to Interview With Raiders and Cardinals
MacKenzie Gore

Yankees Pursuing Trade for MacKenzie Gore
Alex Bregman

Cubs Sign Alex Bregman to Five-Year, $175 Millon Contract
Freddie Freeman

Withdraws from World Baseball Classic

RANKINGS

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