Updated Rookie Fantasy Football Rankings for 2026

April 14, 2026

Updated rookie fantasy football rankings for the 2026. These tiered rookie rankings are from before the 2026 NFL Draft and include RB, WR, TE, QB.

Thankfully, the 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner now that we're in the second week of April, and it's always an exciting time of the year for NFL teams, NFL fans, and fantasy football gamers. We'll soon find out where the top prospects and popular pre-draft sleepers will land. But for now, let's check in on our latest pre-NFL Draft fantasy football rookie rankings.

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 Draft. It's never too early to start your research and homework on rising NFL players, so let's get to it! These updated 2026 rookie rankings are put together by Matt Donnelly, Phil Clark, Jackson Sparks, and Andrew Lalama.

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.

Rookie Fantasy Football Rankings (Pre-NFL Draft)

Check out our PPR fantasy football rankings and standard (non-PPR) fantasy football rankings as well:

Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings Player Outlooks & News

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said that he expects Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to be a first-rounder in the 2026 NFL draft, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that enough scouts have a second-round grade on him to make him an early Day 2 possibility. Simpson's draft stock is all over the map, as he's expected to go anywhere from No. 10 overall to No. 30 in the first round. The primary concern is his lack of experience, as he didn't become a starter at Alabama until his senior season in 2025.

He played well early on last year but struggled late, ultimately finishing with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only five interceptions in 15 games played. Nobody is really expecting Simpson to come in right away in the NFL and be great, and one veteran NFL scout called Simpson "a mix between Jared Goff and Mac Jones." Simpson made "a lot of NFL throws" at Alabama, which will help his development at the next level, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues shouldn't expect him to be in play as a starter in 2026, even in superflex leagues.

KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Former Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion is on a visit on Wednesday with the Cleveland Browns, a source told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Browns are expected to be very interested in taking Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate with the sixth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, but if they don't, Concepcion could be in play with the 24th overall pick later in the first round. Concepcion will also have top-30 pre-draft visits with the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders, two other teams desperate for wideout depth going into the 2026 season.

In his final collegiate season and first with the Aggies in 2025, Concepcion caught 61 passes for a career-high 919 yards and an SEC-high nine receiving touchdowns in 13 games played. His elite playmaking abilities -- he also had a rushing touchdown and two TDs as a kick returner on special teams -- would make him a candidate to push for a WR2 role immediately in Cleveland in 2026 if he is selected by the Browns.

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has informed the NFL that he is not planning to attend the NFL draft in Pittsburgh at the end of this month, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami. The Indiana quarterback will be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 overall, although the Raiders already signed veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins, and he's expected to open the 2026 season as the starter under center while Mendoza sits and watches early on in his NFL career.

The Heisman Trophy winner led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and the national championship in 2025, throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions in 16 games played. He also had 90 carries for 276 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Mendoza doesn't have an obvious weakness and should have a pretty high floor for those looking to take him at No. 1 overall in rookie-only drafts later this year.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Ringer's Todd McShay reports that someone in the Arizona Cardinals building is "pushing really hard" to draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at the end of April. The Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, but they also have pressing needs on their offensive line and at defensive end. They could trade back a few spots in the first round if they think they'll still have a chance to draft the consensus top RB in this year's class.

The Cardinals already have James Conner (foot), Trey Benson (knee), and Tyler Allgeier in their backfield, though, so Love landing in Arizona would be bad news for his short- and long-term fantasy football value. The Tennessee Titans (No. 4 overall) and New York Giants (No. 5) have also been rumored to be looking at drafting Love early in the first round this year.

Love has the potential to be a three-down start at the next level after leading his conference in rushing yards in each of the last two seasons, with a total of 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 362 carries in 28 games. He also had 55 catches for 517 yards and five additional touchdowns as a receiver.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

University of Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson was one of the more productive backs in the country as a junior in 2025, recording 1,821 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns on 297 touches across 12 games. With 85 receptions over his last two collegiate seasons, Johnson can impact games as both a rusher and a receiver. The 22-year-old has a chance to hear his name called in the middle rounds of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

However, he's not considered to be a high-level athlete relative to other running back prospects, leading some to question whether he can work his way into a lead role in an NFL backfield. Johnson should be able to find a role in the pros due to his well-rounded skill set, but dynasty managers may want to take a conservative approach to projecting his upside. RotoBaller currently ranks Johnson as the 40th-best running back for dynasty formats.

More Dynasty Fantasy Football Analysis