Updated Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Pre-2026 NFL Draft)

January 28, 2026

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

Super Bowl 60 hasn't been played yet, but it will be rookie draft season in dynasty fantasy football leagues before you know it, and it's time to start getting familiar with the 2026 NFL Draft class. While this class leaves a lot to be desired at QB and RB, there are two big-name studs at those spots, and the wide receiver class is deep and talented this year. Rookies continue to make fantasy football impacts every season, and sometimes, it's the underrated, later-round picks that return the most value. Let's take a look at the early top 105 pecking order with our 2026 fantasy football rookie rankings for dynasty leagues.

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 Senior Bowl, 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

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is the consensus top fantasy football rookie in 2026, and the 20-year-old is expected to be a first-round pick in April's NFL Draft. The Missouri native had a fantastic career in South Bend, particularly in his sophomore and junior seasons. In his last 28 collegiate games, Love rushed 362 times for 2,497 yards (6.9 YPC) and 35 touchdowns. He added 55 receptions for 517 yards and five scores through the air.

He was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, the Doak Walker Award Winner, and a Unanimous All-American after his final season with the Irish. Love has game-breaking speed, high-end elusiveness, receiving chops, elite vision, and impressive athleticism at 215 pounds. He checks all the boxes of a future NFL workhorse, and if he fetches early-first-round draft capital as expected, he will likely carry an RB1 outlook immediately in his rookie campaign. He's the clear No. 1 pick in single-QB dynasty rookie drafts, and he'll be in play for the top pick in superflex drafts.

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza officially announced on Friday that he is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. Mendoza is in position to be the first player picked, as a large contingent of Las Vegas Raiders front-office members watched him win the National title game over the University of Miami on Monday. The 22-year-old signal-caller is the overwhelming favorite to go first overall to the Raiders in this year's NFL Draft.

In his first and only season at Indiana, Mendoza put himself miles ahead of any of the other college QB prospects, completing 72% of his pass attempts for 3,535 yards and 48 total touchdowns (41 passing). He led the nation in yards per attempt (9.3) and touchdown passes. Mendoza is known as a pocket passer, but he can pick up yards with his legs when needed. The Raiders are hoping he can quickly turn their struggling franchise around, but they have plenty of holes elsewhere on the roster, too.

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. He is one of five players from the College Football Playoff National Championship Game to submit written notice to the NFL informing them of his intention to forgo his collegiate eligibility. Cooper spent four seasons with the Hoosiers, collecting 115 receptions for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns in 42 career games.

He had a breakout final season in Bloomington while catching passes from Fernando Mendoza, tallying 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He added three carries for 73 yards and a touchdown as a runner. The Indianapolis native is currently projected as a third-round pick in April, making him an intriguing later-round option in dynasty rookie drafts.

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson enjoyed the best season of his collegiate career in 2025, totaling 1,451 rushing yards, 370 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns. The 22-year-old handled 297 total touches to close out his career in Lincoln, showcasing his workhorse ability.

The upcoming rookie running back class isn't viewed as one of the best in recent years, but Johnson is largely considered one of the top five ball carriers heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson's 92 career receptions demonstrate that he can operate in a modern NFL offense, and he's a strong tackle-breaker. For fantasy managers taking part in early rookie drafts, Johnson has appeal in the middle of the second round in single-QB formats. He should at least have the chance to compete to work in a committee backfield as a rookie.

Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft following his redshirt junior season with the Vols. The former Tulane transfer caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine scores in 12 games, despite competing for targets with two other 800-yard receivers. Brazzell was a contested-catch monster in 2025, but he's also shown the ability to blow by coverage for homerun balls. Listed at 6'5", Brazzell projects to be a boundary receiver at the next level with the potential to develop into a quarterback's top target with a wide catch radius.

Brazzell is likely going to come off the NFL Draft board as a second-round pick, but his performance at the 2026 NFL Combine and other predraft activities could be a strong factor in whether he has a chance to move into the first round. In 40 career games with Tulane and Tennessee, Brazzell finished his collegiate career with 136 receptions for 2,072 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Branch began his career at USC before spending his third and final collegiate season in Athens. Overall, the dynamic playmaker tallied 159 receptions for 1,634 yards and nine receiving touchdowns in 37 career games.

He also rushed 15 times for 94 yards and a touchdown and tallied over 1,300 yards and two touchdowns as a kick and punt returner. Branch didn't have the most productive career as a pure receiver, but he has elite speed and athleticism that NFL decision-makers should get excited about. His fantasy football ceiling could be limited if he's relegated to a gadget role in an offense, but in the right setting, he could produce boom weeks right away in his 2026 rookie campaign.

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