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Underrated Fantasy Football Rookies 2026
I’m going to talk about the biggest mistake dynasty fantasy football league players and really, fantasy football players in general make when it comes to their rookie drafts. Before I get into the good stuff, I also wanted to update you on this year’s Fantasy Football Almanac – which will be published VERY shortly.
The 2026 Fantasy Football Almanac (both Standard and GOLD versions) will be available no later than Sunday, June 7th but I’m pushing for much sooner than that. The print versions will be available on Amazon, as always. The digital-only (PDF) versions will be available at a discount via my Shopify store. I’m almost finished. I’m just refining my rankings and adding extra GOLD content.
What Is The Biggest Mistake Fantasy Football Players Make When It Comes To Rookies?
The biggest mistake is drafting players based on what round they were selected in the NFL draft. For a quarterback, draft placement matters. 9 times out of 10, a quarterback taken in the first round will start games in his rookie season. The only time this doesn’t happen is when a player is drafted as an eventual replacement for an elite QB (i.e. Ty Simpson won’t start unless Stafford gets hurt. Jordan Love didn’t start for Green Bay over Aaron Rodgers).
For all other positions? Draft round doesn’t matter as much as you think. There are plenty of first round wide receivers to have never seen the light of day. Second round tight ends may take two or three years to break through into the starting lineup (Trey McBride for example).
My Process For Ranking Rookies
I had a reader reach out shortly after the NFL Draft because his dynasty rookie draft was soon to take place. I had not yet completed my rankings list, but I walked him through my general process. I’ll do it for you as well. It’s very nerdy. You’ve been warned.
- I remove QBs from the equation. It’s easy to figure out in 2026 that Fernando Mendoza will start for the Raiders by 2027. The Raiders see value in letting Mendoza back up Cousins. If the Raiders are challenging for a playoff spot, Mendoza may not start until week 14 (after their bye). If they are eliminated from playoff contention early, you may see him thrown into games mid-season – as we saw with Tyler Shough in New Orleans last year.
- For all other positions, I score players based on four pieces of information:
- What is the player’s fit within the offensive scheme?What is his path to the field? Who is he competing against?Scheme fit / playmaking ability. I watch tape of all the rookies to judge how they will fit into the NFL. Spoiler alert: if a player looks slow in college, he’s not going to succeed in the NFL.
- I give a very tiny boost based on the round the player was selected based purely on that player having a chance to win starter reps in training camp. But you will notice that I’ll have third round picks ranked above 2nd and 1st round picks.
Best Rookies Flying Under The Radar
As I said, I’ll publish my full rookie rankings for everyone in the coming weeks (after I finish publishing the Almanac). It’s not exactly a hot take to say that Jeremiyah Love is the top rookie running back and that his former teammate Jadarian Price is going to be a strong pickup from Seattle.
Isn’t it obvious that Carnell Tate has a path to early fantasy points? But what about Makai Lemon, who is currently buried underneath A.J. Brown and DaVonta Smith. That is, unless Brown is traded this offseason as some predict.
You can check back for my full rankings soon, but I wanted to list a few players below that have caught my eye. The combination of physical traits on film along with their scheme fit and their positional competition leads me to believe these guys will contribute to their teams in 2026. You will very likely see some of these guys featured in the Almanac’s sleeper sections.
Underrated Rookie Running Backs
- Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas; ADP: 182 – yes, Ashton Jeanty is going to be the starter, but I don’t anticipate him dominating workshare as significantly as he did last season. Jeanty will also be very good in the new Raiders system, but Klint Kubiak is a play caller who will utilize multiple backs. Washington is an excellent compliment to the slower, more powerful Jeanty. Washington has sub 4.4 speed and will be playing with two QBs who will absolutely be checking the ball down to their RBs. And his competition? What competition? Washington is penciled into the third down back role already. That likely gives him about 30% of the carries at least. He should be rostered in all formats, but his ADP is 182.
- Nicholas Singleton, Tennessee; ADP: 184 – this is a more speculative pick. I’ve never been a fan of Tony Pollard, although I admit he had a strong 2025 given the Titans inability to get the passing game going. What I like is that Brian Daboll has a history of giving young mid/late-round pick backs chances early (James Cook, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary and Cam Skattebo among them). Tyjae Spears hasn’t looked as explosive as he was his rookie year. I actually like Kalel Mullings, a 2025 7th round pick, but he was on IR most of last season. I could see Singleton coming in and winning this job like Bucky Irving did a couple of years ago. The Titans would be very successful with a tandem of Mullings and Singleton (though Mullings could easily be waived as he was a back picked by the previous regime).
- Jonah Coleman, Denver; ADP: 262 – If you read the book, you know I don’t like skill players in Sean Payton’s offenses. Payton spreads the ball around too much. J.K. Dobbins will start, but he can’t stay healthy. If/when he is injured, who is the next man up? Is it R.J. Harvey or will it be second rounder, Jonah Coleman? Harvey didn’t light the world on fire last year with the reps he had. Coleman reminds me a little of J.K. Dobbins, actually. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Coleman win the #2 RB job. At worst, he’ll be RB3 in Denver and have opportunities to outshine Harvey throughout the season.
- Kaytron Allen, Washington; ADP: 180 – my rookie process last year led me to recommend Jacory Croskey-Merrit early last year, but by the end of the draft season his hype was out of control. JCM will have the earlier chance to start. The backfield is crowded with successful, but underrated Rachaad White and Jerome Ford as well. But I see something in Allen. He will lack breakaway speed at the NFL level, but I think he could be a back that averages 4.5 to 5 yards per carry. JCM is going to be the most explosive. Rachaad White will be the best pass blocker and receiver. Ford runs with toughness, but I think Allen could be the best short yardage back on the team. Regardless of what happens, I think we’re looking at a three-man committee in Washington at least.
- Adam Randall, Baltimore; ADP: 280 – Derrick Henry is an amazing football player. He’s older, but he will still start and I believe he’ll dominate snaps. But Adam Randall really jumped out to me when I watched his college film. I think he’ll be a future starter in Baltimore. Depending on how he pass blocks, he may unseat Justice Hill for the #2 job this season.
BTW, if you’re looking for a good draft board this year, this is the best one I’ve seen on Amazon.
Also, if you’re in a dynasty league, this is my favorite trophy available on Amazon. I’m planning on buying it for my league this year.
Underrated Rookie Wide Receivers
- Zacharaia Branch, Atlanta; ADP: 218 – I suspect his draft stock will rise this year, but his ADP is sitting at #218. Drake London is entrenched as a starter, but Atlanta’s other two staring wide receivers entering training camp are Olamide Zaccheaus and former first rounder Jahan Dotson. Branch is much more explosive than either of them. He can play outside and inside. He would have been drafted higher if not for his arrest (he refused to move off a sidewalk when police asked him to). There’s a definite path to playing time. My only concern is that I’m not a believer in Atlanta’s passing attack this year.
- Bryce Lance, New Orleans; ADP: 315 – We should absolutely give Jordyn Tyson his due, but Bryce Lance looks electric on film. Olave and Tyson will start this year, but the Saints have a rapidly improving passing attack. This could be a 4,000 yard passing team this year and before you scoff, look at what Tyler Shough did in his first 9 starts. If Lance can be one of these top three receivers, and he’d only have to outcompete Devaughn Vele to do that, then he will warrant a bench position.
- De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco; ADP: 198 – This guy is tailor-made for Shanahan’s offense. He’s fast, he’s big and he will run away from people on slants. With Aiyuk sure to be cut loose and Jauan Jennings gone, Stribling will be competing with Ricky Persall and Christian Kirk for reps. Shanahan can be tough on rookies, but I’m telling you now, he’s better than Pearsall. Mike Evans will be the top target. McCaffrey and Kittle (once recovered) will also out-target Stribling, but I can envision him taking Purdy’s perfectly placed short passes to the house. I love him as a dynasty selection.
- Caleb Douglas, Miami; ADP: 318 & Chris Bell; ADP: 216 – It’s amusing how lowly the Dolphins rookies are ranked. Malik Willis will throw for somewhere between 3,000 and 3,500 yards this year. Who are these rookies competing against for targets? Greg Dulcich, Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert. Not exactly a murderers row. Bell is going to be an excellent option over the middle. I think Malik Washington will start as a slot receiver, so Bell will likely be the possession guy. Caleb Douglas offers big play potential. At least one of these guys is likely to warrant flex consideration all year.
- Antonio Williams, Washington; ADP: 178 – I think his draft stock will rise through training camp. Washington should be much better passing the ball in 2026. Terry McLaurin is great, but he’s getting older and doesn’t separate much from coverage these days. Williams is the fastest Commander receiver on the field. Yes, they may add Brandon Aiyuk, but if Williams indeed starts as the slot receiver, that will mean something in David Blough’s new offensive system. He should be rostered heading into the season.
If you’re new to the site, I suggest signing up for the newsletter for more helpful (and free) information. The Fantasy Football Almanac is always worth a purchase, but some of this offseason content may be able to help you fine tune your drafts.
Underrated Rookie Tight Ends
- Marlin Klein, Houston; ADP: NR – Dalton Shultz is ok. But can you look at what he’s offered the past few seasons and tell me he can’t be overtaken by someone? Klein will have to prove himself as a blocker, but I thought he looked like a quality receiver immediately. My guess is Klein will start for Houston in 2027, but if Schultz gets hurt again, he might not get his job back.
- Syedou Traore, Miami; ADP: NR – Again, Miami needs weapons. Traore will be competing with an earlier selected rookie, but Traore looks like a far better receiver to me. He will also compete with Greg Dulcich who I would say is average at best. I’m eager to see how Traore looks in preseason action.
- Oscar Delp, New Orleans; ADP: 267 – Noah Fant and Juwan Johnson open the offseason ahead of Delp on the depth chart. It’ll be tough for Delp to out-compete these guys, but I was very impressed with his tape. I think we could see a three-man TE rotation – similar to the workshare distribution of a team like Buffalo from 2025. Delp will get chances to show what he can do, though he is likely a better prospect for 2027.
- Matthew Hibner, Baltimore; ADP: NR – Isaiah Likely left Baltimore for the Giants. This gives the starting TE position firmly back to Mark Andrews in Baltimore. Hibner is another quality TE in this year’s class. I love him as a dynasty option because Andrews is a) expensive and b) going to be 30+. I doubt the Ravens let him walk in 2027, but Hibner could start eating into workshare as early as this season. Plus, Andrews is known to miss time with injury. Hibner could be the Ravens #1 TE for a few weeks this season. If he gets that opportunity, and with a new coaching staff, who knows what can happen. Actually, I do. Lamar Jackson will want Andrews on the field. But still, Hibner will have chances.
- Eli Raridon, New England ADP: 302 – Austin Hooper left New England to go back to Atlanta. That leaves a tight end position behind Hunter Henry open. New England likes to run two TE formations. Raridon could be in line for 3-4 targets per game this season. While that’s not a lot, that is a total that could increase as time goes on. He will be your future Patriot starting tight end. Hunter Henry is a free agent after the 2026 season and will be 32 at the end of the season. Dynasty players should take note.
Podcast
If you want to hear more, I ran through my list of Running Backs on the last episode of The Fantasy Football Almanac Show. You can listen on iTunes or Spotify. If you don’t have either, you can follow this link to a browser on iTunes.
About The Fantasy Football Almanac
The Fantasy Football Almanac is an independent fantasy football publication built on structured analysis, tier-based rankings, and disciplined draft strategy. Every season, we evaluate coaching changes, offensive scheme shifts, usage trends, historical hit rates, and risk profiles to create a comprehensive draft framework designed to reduce mistakes and increase long-term consistency. The Almanac is not driven by hot takes or weekly hype cycles — it is built around probability, roster construction principles, and value-based decision-making.
While the analysis is detailed enough for experienced fantasy managers, the system is intentionally structured so beginners can apply it immediately. In fact, many first- and second-year players have used the Almanac’s tier models and draft frameworks to compete with — and often outperform — long-time league veterans. Whether you’re drafting from the early slot, managing turn picks, or navigating positional runs, the Fantasy Football Almanac provides a clear, repeatable process from Round 1 through your final pick.
