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Updated Rookie Rankings - Fantasy Football Drafts

RotoBaller's updated fantasy football rookie rankings for 2021 fantasy football drafts. Use our updated rookie rankings to target the highest-upside NFL rookies.

Welcome back RotoBallers! Below you will find our staff's updated fantasy football rookie rankings for the 2021 NFL season. These rankings are a great resource for you to use in your fantasy football drafts, whether it's a redraft league or a dynasty league. Having a rookie draft, or just looking for the highest-upside rookie to target in drafts? Just reference the list below.

These fantasy football rookie rankings will continue to be updated until Week 1, so be sure check back regularly for updates. You can also see our ongoing rankings analysis articles discussing players to target and avoid in your fantasy football drafts. Be sure to also check out our entire 2021 fantasy football rankings dashboard. It's loaded up with our rankings for all other league formats and scoring settings including:

Three of our lead fantasy football analysts - Pierre Camus, Brandon Murchison and Phil Clark - have analyzed the NFL offseason moves, recent injuries, and preseason action. Below you will find their consensus fantasy football Half-PPR rankings for 2021 fantasy football drafts. Feel free to click those links and give these fine gentlemen a follow, and let them know how much you love or hate their rankings.

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Updated Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings

Rankings table below last updated on September 5th, 2021

Tier Rank Player Name Pos
1 1 Najee Harris RB
1 2 Kyle Pitts TE
1 3 Ja'Marr Chase WR
1 4 Javonte Williams RB
1 5 DeVonta Smith WR
1 6 Trevor Lawrence QB
2 7 Jaylen Waddle WR
2 8 Elijah Moore WR
2 9 Justin Fields QB
2 10 Trey Sermon RB
2 11 Trey Lance QB
2 12 Michael Carter RB
2 13 Kenneth Gainwell RB
3 14 Terrace Marshall Jr. WR
3 15 Rashod Bateman WR
3 16 Amon-Ra St. Brown WR
3 17 Mac Jones QB
3 18 Zach Wilson QB
3 19 Rhamondre Stevenson RB
3 20 Rondale Moore WR
3 21 Chuba Hubbard RB
3 22 Dyami Brown WR
3 23 Nico Collins WR
4 24 Josh Palmer WR
4 25 Amari Rodgers WR
4 26 Kadarius Toney WR
4 27 Pat Freiermuth TE
4 28 D'Wayne Eskridge WR
4 29 Elijah Mitchell RB
4 30 Tutu Atwell WR
4 31 Kylin Hill RB
4 32 Tylan Wallace WR
4 33 Jacob Harris TE
4 34 Seth Williams WR
4 35 Brevin Jordan TE
4 36 Demetric Felton WR
5 37 Larry Rountree III RB
5 38 Chris Evans RB
5 39 Jermar Jefferson RB
5 40 Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR
5 41 Hunter Long TE
5 42 Jaret Patterson RB
5 43 Khalil Herbert RB
5 44 Dazz Newsome WR
5 45 Dez Fitzpatrick WR
6 46 Jaelon Darden WR
6 47 Kyle Trask QB
6 48 Kene Nwangwu RB
6 49 Kellen Mond QB
6 50 Noah Gray TE
6 51 Anthony Schwartz WR
6 52 Marquez Stevenson WR
6 53 Josh Imatorbhebhe WR
6 54 Davis Mills QB
6 55 Jake Funk RB
6 56 Frank Darby WR
7 57 Sage Surratt WR
7 58 Pooka Williams Jr. RB
7 59 Tommy Tremble TE
7 60 Shi Smith WR
7 61 Cornell Powell WR
7 62 Kenny Yeboah TE
7 63 Javian Hawkins RB
7 64 Tamorrion Terry WR
8 65 Tre' McKitty TE
8 66 Mekhi Sargent RB
8 67 Cade Johnson WR
8 68 Sam Ehlinger QB
8 69 Austin Watkins WR
8 70 Shane Buechele QB
8 71 T.J. Vasher WR
8 72 Ian Book QB
9 73 Simi Fehoko WR
9 74 Stevie Scott III RB
9 75 Deon Jackson RB
9 76 Marlon Williams WR
9 77 Trey Ragas RB
9 78 Feleipe Franks QB
9 79 Whop Philyor WR
9 80 Dax Milne WR
9 81 Rakeem Boyd RB
9 82 Trevon Grimes WR
9 83 Jamie Newman QB
9 84 Brennan Eagles WR
9 85 Reggie Roberson Jr. WR
9 86 K.D. Nixon WR
9 87 Raheem Blackshear RB
9 88 Johnathan Lovett RB
9 89 JD Spielman WR
9 90 JaTarvious Whitlow RB
9 91 Eli Stove WR
9 92 Brady White QB
9 93 Shakif Seymour RB
9 94 K.J. Costello QB
9 95 Damonte Coxie WR
9 96 Vavae Malepeai RB
9 97 Zach Smith QB
9 98 Zac Thomas QB


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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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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tylan Wallace

Browns Agree to Terms With Tylan Wallace
Jack Hughes

Posts Another Three-Point Performance in Victory
Jackson Blake

Collects Three Points on Wednesday
WAS

Cole Hutson Scores in NHL Debut on Wednesday
Royce O'Neale

Could Miss First Game of the Season Thursday
TreVeyon Henderson

Establishing Himself as a Fantasy RB1?
Grayson Allen

May Sit Out Another Game Thursday
Malik Monk

in Danger of Missing Fifth Straight Contest
Nique Clifford

Questionable for Thursday Night
Kyle Kuzma

Expected to Play Through Elbow Injury Thursday
Caleb Williams

Looking to Build Off Second-Year Breakout
Andrew Wiggins

Out Thursday Against Lakers
Elijah Arroyo

Stuck in Depth Role for the Foreseeable Future
Kevin Porter Jr.

Uncertain for Thursday
Myles Turner

Questionable Versus Jazz
Joel Embiid

Listed as Doubtful for Thursday
Tre Tucker

Still a Fantasy Option Despite New Competition?
Trae Young

to Miss Second Straight Game
Max Fried

to Start on Opening Day for Yankees
Bam Adebayo

Likely to Return Thursday
Rayan Rupert

Jahmai Mashack, Rayan Rupert Won't Play Wednesday
Jack Bech

Still Trending Up Despite Increased Competition?
Noah Clowney

Exits Early Wednesday Due to Wrist Injury
Alexandre Sarr

Could Miss Third Straight Game
Cade Cunningham

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Unavailable Against Hawks
Arizona Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Not Naming a Closer to Begin the Season
Caleb Martin

Remains Out Wednesday
Drew Eubanks

Undergoes Season-Ending Thumb Surgery
Nicolas Batum

Resting Wednesday Night
Dejounte Murray

Available Wednesday
Collin Sexton

Cleared to Return Wednesday
Jalen Hurts

has Room for Improvement Amid Offensive Changes
Isaiah Bond

Should Have Bigger Role, But Will QB Issues Hold him Back?
Terry McLaurin

Can Terry McLaurin Bounce Back as Top Target-Earner in 2026?
James Cook

a Strong RB1 in Fantasy Coming Off Career Year
Adrian Kempe

Could Return Thursday
Mason McTavish

Sits Out Second Consecutive Game
Ross Johnston

to Miss 3-4 Weeks
Jonathan Drouin

Back in Action Wednesday
Eric Robinson

Rejoins Hurricanes Lineup
Shayne Gostisbehere

Sits Out Another Game Wednesday
Sidney Crosby

Returns to Action Wednesday
Greg Dortch

Signs One-Year Deal With Lions
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Colts Sign Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
T.Y. Hilton

Officially Announces his Retirement
Andy Dalton

Eagles Acquire Andy Dalton From Panthers
Matthew Liberatore

Named Cardinals Opening Day Starter
Roki Sasaki

to be in Opening Day Starting Rotation
A.J. Dillon

Panthers Signing AJ Dillon to One-Year Deal
Maxx Crosby

was "Livid" After Ravens Nixed Trade to Acquire Him
Akshay Bhatia

Withdraws From Valspar Championship
José Berríos

Jose Berrios has Stress Fracture, Won't be Ready for Opening Day
De'Von Achane

Dolphins Not Listening to Trade Offers for De'Von Achane
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Drawing Positive Reviews at Georgia Tech
Kyle Williams

a Potential Year 2 Breakout Candidate in 2026
Elic Ayomanor

Fantasy Appeal Slipping Away?
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Impressing in Nebraska's Spring Practices
Isaac TeSlaa

a Prime Candidate for More Volume
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Remains a Free Agent
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Bags a Shutout in Vegas
J.J. Spaun

Offers Upside Despite Poor Course History at Innisbrook
Brock Boeser

Logs Three Assists Tuesday
Jeremy Peña

Opening Day "Not Ruled Out" for Jeremy Pena
Brock Faber

Registers Three Assists in Overtime Win
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Charlie Coyle

Matches Career High with Four Points Tuesday
Johnny Keefer

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Valspar Championship
Nikita Kucherov

Amasses Five Points in Road Win
Blake Lizotte

Penguins Plan to Re-Evaluate Blake Lizotte in Four Weeks
Billy Horschel

a Volatile Play at Valspar Championship
Nick Jensen

to Miss Six Weeks Due to Knee Surgery
Ben Griffin

Looks to Rebound at the Valspar Championship
Corey Conners

Brings Elite Ball-Striking to Valspar Championship
Cole Ragans

Named Royals Opening Day Starter
Cole Caufield

Nets Game-Winning Goal
Pavel Zacha

Scores Twice Versus Montreal on Tuesday
Xander Schauffele

Trending In The Right Direction For Valspar Championship
Sahith Theegala

Has Shot to Challenge at Valspar Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Looking to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Nicolai Hojgaard

Finding Rhythm For Valspar Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Hot Start to 2026 Heading to Valspar Championship
Pierceson Coody

Heads to Valspar Championship Following Two Missed Cuts
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch in Cactus League Game on Wednesday
Seiya Suzuki

has Sprained Knee, Opening Day Availability Unclear
Alex Tuch

a Game-Time Decision on Tuesday
Eeli Tolvanen

Iffy for Tuesday
Seiya Suzuki

Diagnosed With Strained PCL
Zach Neto

Making his Return on Tuesday
Kyle Freeland

to Start for Rockies on Opening Day
José Soriano

Angels Name Jose Soriano the Opening Day Starter
Wyndham Clark

Searching for Momentum at Valspar Championship
Justin Thomas

Is Justin Thomas Back Ahead of This Week's Valspar Championship?
Jordan Spieth

to Bounce Back at Favored Valspar Championship?
Brooks Koepka

is Starting to Find His Groove Again Ahead of Valspar Championship
Viktor Hovland

is One of The Best DFS Plays at Innesbrook
Rasmus Hojgaard

to Get Back on Track at Valspar Championship
Konnor Griffin

Avoids Next Round of Roster Cuts
Gerrit Cole

to Throw an Inning on Wednesday
Tony Finau

is Again a Scary Option at Valspar Championship
Blades Brown

Continues PGA Tour Run at Valspar Championship
Johan Rojas

Suspended 80 Games for PED Violation
José Ramírez

No Plans for Jose Ramirez to Undergo Imaging on Injured Shoulder
Seiya Suzuki

Undergoing MRI Exam on Monday
Joe Musgrove

Expected to Open the Year on the Injured List
Zach Neto

Expected to Return to Game Action on Tuesday
Josh Emmett

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Kevin Vallejos

Scores First-Round TKO
Amanda Lemos

Drops Back-To-Back Fights
Gillian Robertson

Extends Her Win Streak
Zach Neto

to Take Batting Practice on Monday
Andre Fili

Drops Decision on Saturday
Denny Hamlin

Dominates and Gets His Third Career Las Vegas Win
Chase Elliott

Earns Runner-Up Finish at Las Vegas
William Byron

Wins A Stage and Finishes Third at Las Vegas
Christopher Bell

Finishes Fourth at Las Vegas After Strong Run
Kyle Larson

Fades to Seventh Despite Leading Laps Early at Las Vegas
Andre Fili

Jose Delgado Edges Andre Fili in Split-Decision Win
Oumar Sy

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Ion Cutelaba

Returns To The Win Column
CFB

CJ Carr Enters Sophomore Season as Heisman Favorite
CFB

Aaron Philo Not a Lock to be Florida's Starting QB?
CFB

George MacIntyre the Favorite to Win Tennessee Quarterback Battle?
CFB

Keelon Russell, Austin Mack Battling for Alabama QB1 Duties
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption, Wins Pole at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin

Should Contend for Another Vegas Win
Chase Briscoe

Qualifies 18th Despite Toyota Dominating at Las Vegas
Chase Elliott

May Fly Under the Radar at Las Vegas
NASCAR

Ross Chastian Has Been As Solid As They Come at Las Vegas
Ty Gibbs

Could Ty Gibbs Finally Break Through With a Win at Las Vegas?
Brad Keselowski

a Solid DFS Pick at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson

Should Kyle Larson be Considered A Favorite for Las Vegas?
William Byron

Could Compete for a Top-Five Finish at Las Vegas
Ryan Blaney

Is Ryan Blaney Worth Rostering in Tournament DFS Lineups for Las Vegas?
Tyler Reddick

Could Continue his Top-10 Streak at Las Vegas
Joey Logano

Should DFS Managers Underestimate Joey Logano for Las Vegas?
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher Worth Rostering For Las Vegas DFS Lineups?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is A Risky DFS Option Who Could Pay Off at Las Vegas
Josh Berry

Has Plenty of Upside for Las Vegas DFS Lineups
Ryan Preece

Scores his First Las Vegas Top-10 Starting Spot in Qualifying
Kevin Vallejos

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Josh Emmett

In Dire Need Of Victory
Gillian Robertson

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 114
Amanda Lemos

Set For Co-Main Event
Oumar Sy

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Ion Cutelaba

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
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