Pre-NFL Draft Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (2026): All Positions

February 16, 2026

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

The NFL Combine is just ahead, so we'll learn more about the 2026 NFL Draft prospects soon. However, rookie drafts are already happening, so we're here to provide our last update before combine festivities begin! Let us help you crush your drafts and pick trading with our 2026 fantasy football rookie rankings for all positions. Below, check out the top 104 rookies for 2026.

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, Matt Donnelly, 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

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

ESPN's Field Yates believes that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is the "ideal partner" to pair with new head coach and offensive play-caller Klint Kubiak. Mendoza did it all in 2025 while leading the Hoosiers to their first undefeated season and a national championship, including showing elite accuracy and overall arm talent while improving his pocket awareness.

The young signal-caller also has a strong frame, in-pocket mobility, and enough creativity to handle duress out of structure. Kubiak is fresh off winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks and QB Sam Darnold, a former third overall pick. Kubiak seems like the perfect person to oversee the development of Mendoza, who should have a pretty high floor at the next level.

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson spent four seasons at Alabama, but the 23-year-old wasn't named the starter until his redshirt junior season in 2025. However, his lone season as the QB1 has him in a position to be a first-round draft selection in April. The Tennessee native started in 15 games in 2025, throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He tallied 93 yards and two scores as a runner. In early November, Simpson was projected to be a fringe top-five pick, as he threw 20 touchdowns to just one interception through his first eight games.

He wasn't quite as efficient through the final seven games of the year, but his overall body of work and the premium placed on the QB spot in the NFL make him likely to be a mid-or-late first-round pick. The Raiders are expected to pick Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, but the Jets, Cardinals, Browns, and Dolphins are among the teams clearly looking for a new quarterback in 2026. If Simpson is a first-round pick, he'll be a valuable rookie selection in Superflex and two-QB dynasty leagues. His lack of rushing upside limits his ceiling in single-QB setups.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is almost unanimously considered the No. 1 prospect at the position in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and he's widely viewed as a top-five or fringe top-five overall player. Despite many draft analysts believing running backs shouldn't be selected in the top half of the first round, we have seen Ashton Jeanty (No. 6), Bijan Robinson (No. 8), and Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 12) come off the board that early just in the past three drafts.

After a monster junior season, Love is primed to be a top-10 pick in April's draft. In 12 games, the 20-year-old tallied 226 touches for 1,652 yards and 21 touchdowns despite sharing the backfield with Jadarian Price, who many view as the RB2 in the 2026 class. Love has adequate workhorse size at 214 pounds, and he's a crafty and dynamic runner and receiver. If Love is picked as early as expected, he figures to be a clear second-round pick in redraft leagues next season, and he has high-end RB1 upside in his career, if not from Day 1. Love is easily the No. 1 pick in upcoming single-QB rookies 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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