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2026 Positional Rookie Rankings | Dynasty

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A breakdown of the 2026 rookie class, focusing on which skills matter for long-term dynasty formats.

 

The 2026 rookie class is starting to take shape, and the early signals matter for dynasty players willing to think a year ahead. This is the part of the calendar where box scores lie, depth charts shift weekly, and context matters more than raw production. Dynasty edges are built here, by identifying which traits actually translate to Sundays before the rest of the market catches up.

This positional ranking focuses less on hype and more on how these prospects project to real NFL roles, usage, and long-term fantasy value. The goal isn’t to crown future superstars in December, but to understand how these players win, where they’ll fit, and why certain archetypes historically stick. It’s about separating players who look good in college from players who are likely to matter when rookie drafts and trade talks get real.

Quarterback

1. Fernando Mendoza | Indiana

Smart pocket passer who can make all the throws with touch and accuracy. He’s tough in the pocket, gets the ball out quickly, and knows when to use his feet to buy time rather than panic. Feels like the type of quarterback coaches trust early, which matters for long-term fantasy stability.

Reminiscent of: Jared Goff, with Mobility  

2. Dante Moore | Oregon

Arm talent and confidence pushing the ball downfield, jump off the screen right away. When things are clean, he looks every bit like a future franchise quarterback. The next step is proving he can stay efficient when pressure ramps up and structure breaks down.

Reminiscent of: CJ Stroud

3. Ty Simpson | Alabama

Smooth athlete with real playmaking instincts and the arm to make highlight throws. He’s young, so the highs are exciting, but the lows still show up too often. If the game slows down for him, the fantasy ceiling rises quickly.

Reminiscent of: Jordan Love

4. John Mateer | Oklahoma

Tough, mobile quarterback who brings energy and keeps plays alive. He’s more of a spark-plug than a pure passer, but defenses have to account for his legs. Coaches will love the competitiveness, even if the fantasy role ends up situational.

Reminiscent of: Tyler Huntley

5. Darian Mensah | Duke

Steady, no-nonsense quarterback who keeps the offense moving. He’s comfortable taking what the defense gives him and rarely looks rattled. Probably never a fantasy star, but profiles as a functional NFL starter or high-end backup.

Reminiscent of: Jacoby Brissett

Running Back

 

1.  Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame

Electric runner who hits holes fast and can flip a play in a blink. The burst and receiving ability give him real fantasy juice. If he lands in the right system, he has league-winning upside.

Reminiscent of: Jahmyr Gibbs

2. Justice Haynes | Michigan

Solid, physical back who always seems to fall forward. He’s not breaking a ton of long runs, but he keeps the offense on schedule. Coaches will trust him, even if the fantasy ceiling is high-end RB2.

Reminiscent of: Devin Singletary

3. Jonah Coleman | Washington

Downhill runner who brings a little edge and doesn’t shy away from contact. He runs angry and thrives when he can wear defenses down. Has the potential to be a touchdown merchant.

Reminiscent of: Brian Robinson Jr.

4. Jadarian Price | Notre Dame

Quick, light-footed back who looks best in space. It’s entirely possible he’d be higher on this list if he weren’t operating behind Jeremiyah Love. In the right system, he projects a reliable flex option.

Reminiscent of: Tyjae Spears

5. LJ Martin | BYU

Patient runner who knows how to set up blocks and stay on schedule. He doesn’t do anything flashy, but he’s reliable. Feels like the kind of back who sticks around the league longer than expected.

Reminiscent of: Alexander Mattison

Wide Reciever 

 

1. Carnell Tate | Ohio State

Clean routes, strong hands, and always where the quarterback expects him to be. Ohio State receivers have become some of the most reliable fantasy assets in the pipeline. Tate feels like the next one who just works.

Reminiscent of: Chris Godwin

2. Makai Lemon | USC

Always open underneath and tough to bring down once he has the ball. He racks up catches, keeps drives alive, and quietly piles up production. Easily could pan out as the best wide out in this class. 

Reminiscent of: Amon-Ra St. Brown

3. Jordan Tyson | ASU

Smooth mover who wins with separation and body control. He doesn’t need much space to make a play, especially on intermediate routes. Injuries are the swing factor for his long-term outlook.

Reminiscent of: Stefon Diggs

4. KC Concepcion | Texas A&M

Versatile weapon who can line up anywhere and create after the catch. He feels tailor-made for creative offenses that want to move pieces around. The production could spike quickly in the right role.

Reminiscent of: Jayden Reed

5. Denzel Boston | Washington

Bigger target who plays through contact and wins on the boundary. He’s more steady than explosive, but quarterbacks will trust him in tight windows. That trust can translate into red-zone value.

Reminiscent of: Courtland Sutton

Tight End

 

1. Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon

Looks more like a big receiver than a traditional tight end. If he’s featured, the fantasy upside is obvious, especially down the seam. Landing spot will ultimately determine how high he climbs.

Reminiscent of: Kyle Pitts, with reasonable expectations 

2. Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt

Former quarterback who’s comfortable with the ball in his hands. He’s still learning the position, but the instincts show up consistently. Feels like a tight end who can be schemed touches early.

Reminiscent of: Evan Engram

3. Michael Trigg | Baylor

Big body who can make plays down the seam and in the red zone. The flashes are real, but consistency is the key with him. If it clicks, the fantasy appeal jumps fast.

Reminiscent of: Mike Gesicki

4. Max Clare | Ohio State

Does a little bit of everything and earns trust quickly. He’s not exciting, but he’s reliable and stays on the field. That usually leads to sneaky fantasy relevance.

Reminiscent of: Dalton Schultz

5. Terrance Carter Jr. | Texas Tech 

Long, athletic tight end who flashes as a field-stretcher. He’s more of a stash-and-see type for dynasty leagues. The tools are there, the refinement isn’t yet.

Reminiscent of: Isaiah Likely

Extended List

Quarterback

  1. Fernando Mendoza | Indiana 
  2. Dante Moore | Oregon
  3. Ty Simpson | Alabama
  4. John Mateer | Oklahoma 
  5. Darian Mensah | Duke
  6. Brendan Sorsby | Cincinnati
  7. Cade Klubnik | Clemson
  8. Sam Leavitt | ASU 
  9. Garret Nussmeir | LSU
  10. Carson Beck | Miami 

Running Back

  1. Jeremiah Love | Notre Dame 
  2. Justice Haynes | Michigan 
  3. Jonah Coleman | Washington
  4. Jadarian Price | Notre Dame 
  5. LJ Martin | BYU
  6. Emmett Johnson | Nebraska 
  7. Waymond Jordan | USC
  8. Kaytron Allen | Penn State 
  9. Nicholas Singleton | Penn State
  10. CJ Baxter | Texas 

Wide Reciever 

  1. Carnell Tate | Ohio State
  2. Makai Lemon | USC
  3. Jordan Tyson  | ASU
  4. KC Concepcion | Texas A&M
  5. Denzel Boston | Washington
  6. Zachariah Branch | Georgia 
  7. Nyck Harbor | South Carolina 
  8. Elijah Sarratt | Indiana
  9. Chris Barzell II | Tennessee
  10. Germie Bernard | Alabama

Tight End 

  1. Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon
  2. Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt
  3. Michael Trigg | Baylor
  4. Max Klare | Ohio State
  5. Terrance Carter Jr | Texas Tech
  6. Eli Raridon | Notre Dame
  7. Jack Endries | Texas 
  8. Joe Royer | Cincinnati 
  9. Justin Joly | NC State 
  10. John Michael Gyllenborg | Wyoming

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2026 Positional Rookie Rankings | Dynasty

Share the Post:

A breakdown of the 2026 rookie class, focusing on which skills matter for long-term dynasty formats.

 

The 2026 rookie class is starting to take shape, and the early signals matter for dynasty players willing to think a year ahead. This is the part of the calendar where box scores lie, depth charts shift weekly, and context matters more than raw production. Dynasty edges are built here, by identifying which traits actually translate to Sundays before the rest of the market catches up.

This positional ranking focuses less on hype and more on how these prospects project to real NFL roles, usage, and long-term fantasy value. The goal isn’t to crown future superstars in December, but to understand how these players win, where they’ll fit, and why certain archetypes historically stick. It’s about separating players who look good in college from players who are likely to matter when rookie drafts and trade talks get real.

Quarterback

1. Fernando Mendoza | Indiana

Smart pocket passer who can make all the throws with touch and accuracy. He’s tough in the pocket, gets the ball out quickly, and knows when to use his feet to buy time rather than panic. Feels like the type of quarterback coaches trust early, which matters for long-term fantasy stability.

Reminiscent of: Jared Goff, with Mobility  

2. Dante Moore | Oregon

Arm talent and confidence pushing the ball downfield, jump off the screen right away. When things are clean, he looks every bit like a future franchise quarterback. The next step is proving he can stay efficient when pressure ramps up and structure breaks down.

Reminiscent of: CJ Stroud

3. Ty Simpson | Alabama

Smooth athlete with real playmaking instincts and the arm to make highlight throws. He’s young, so the highs are exciting, but the lows still show up too often. If the game slows down for him, the fantasy ceiling rises quickly.

Reminiscent of: Jordan Love

4. John Mateer | Oklahoma

Tough, mobile quarterback who brings energy and keeps plays alive. He’s more of a spark-plug than a pure passer, but defenses have to account for his legs. Coaches will love the competitiveness, even if the fantasy role ends up situational.

Reminiscent of: Tyler Huntley

5. Darian Mensah | Duke

Steady, no-nonsense quarterback who keeps the offense moving. He’s comfortable taking what the defense gives him and rarely looks rattled. Probably never a fantasy star, but profiles as a functional NFL starter or high-end backup.

Reminiscent of: Jacoby Brissett

Running Back

 

1.  Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame

Electric runner who hits holes fast and can flip a play in a blink. The burst and receiving ability give him real fantasy juice. If he lands in the right system, he has league-winning upside.

Reminiscent of: Jahmyr Gibbs

2. Justice Haynes | Michigan

Solid, physical back who always seems to fall forward. He’s not breaking a ton of long runs, but he keeps the offense on schedule. Coaches will trust him, even if the fantasy ceiling is high-end RB2.

Reminiscent of: Devin Singletary

3. Jonah Coleman | Washington

Downhill runner who brings a little edge and doesn’t shy away from contact. He runs angry and thrives when he can wear defenses down. Has the potential to be a touchdown merchant.

Reminiscent of: Brian Robinson Jr.

4. Jadarian Price | Notre Dame

Quick, light-footed back who looks best in space. It’s entirely possible he’d be higher on this list if he weren’t operating behind Jeremiyah Love. In the right system, he projects a reliable flex option.

Reminiscent of: Tyjae Spears

5. LJ Martin | BYU

Patient runner who knows how to set up blocks and stay on schedule. He doesn’t do anything flashy, but he’s reliable. Feels like the kind of back who sticks around the league longer than expected.

Reminiscent of: Alexander Mattison

Wide Reciever 

 

1. Carnell Tate | Ohio State

Clean routes, strong hands, and always where the quarterback expects him to be. Ohio State receivers have become some of the most reliable fantasy assets in the pipeline. Tate feels like the next one who just works.

Reminiscent of: Chris Godwin

2. Makai Lemon | USC

Always open underneath and tough to bring down once he has the ball. He racks up catches, keeps drives alive, and quietly piles up production. Easily could pan out as the best wide out in this class. 

Reminiscent of: Amon-Ra St. Brown

3. Jordan Tyson | ASU

Smooth mover who wins with separation and body control. He doesn’t need much space to make a play, especially on intermediate routes. Injuries are the swing factor for his long-term outlook.

Reminiscent of: Stefon Diggs

4. KC Concepcion | Texas A&M

Versatile weapon who can line up anywhere and create after the catch. He feels tailor-made for creative offenses that want to move pieces around. The production could spike quickly in the right role.

Reminiscent of: Jayden Reed

5. Denzel Boston | Washington

Bigger target who plays through contact and wins on the boundary. He’s more steady than explosive, but quarterbacks will trust him in tight windows. That trust can translate into red-zone value.

Reminiscent of: Courtland Sutton

Tight End

 

1. Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon

Looks more like a big receiver than a traditional tight end. If he’s featured, the fantasy upside is obvious, especially down the seam. Landing spot will ultimately determine how high he climbs.

Reminiscent of: Kyle Pitts, with reasonable expectations 

2. Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt

Former quarterback who’s comfortable with the ball in his hands. He’s still learning the position, but the instincts show up consistently. Feels like a tight end who can be schemed touches early.

Reminiscent of: Evan Engram

3. Michael Trigg | Baylor

Big body who can make plays down the seam and in the red zone. The flashes are real, but consistency is the key with him. If it clicks, the fantasy appeal jumps fast.

Reminiscent of: Mike Gesicki

4. Max Clare | Ohio State

Does a little bit of everything and earns trust quickly. He’s not exciting, but he’s reliable and stays on the field. That usually leads to sneaky fantasy relevance.

Reminiscent of: Dalton Schultz

5. Terrance Carter Jr. | Texas Tech 

Long, athletic tight end who flashes as a field-stretcher. He’s more of a stash-and-see type for dynasty leagues. The tools are there, the refinement isn’t yet.

Reminiscent of: Isaiah Likely

Extended List

Quarterback

  1. Fernando Mendoza | Indiana 
  2. Dante Moore | Oregon
  3. Ty Simpson | Alabama
  4. John Mateer | Oklahoma 
  5. Darian Mensah | Duke
  6. Brendan Sorsby | Cincinnati
  7. Cade Klubnik | Clemson
  8. Sam Leavitt | ASU 
  9. Garret Nussmeir | LSU
  10. Carson Beck | Miami 

Running Back

  1. Jeremiah Love | Notre Dame 
  2. Justice Haynes | Michigan 
  3. Jonah Coleman | Washington
  4. Jadarian Price | Notre Dame 
  5. LJ Martin | BYU
  6. Emmett Johnson | Nebraska 
  7. Waymond Jordan | USC
  8. Kaytron Allen | Penn State 
  9. Nicholas Singleton | Penn State
  10. CJ Baxter | Texas 

Wide Reciever 

  1. Carnell Tate | Ohio State
  2. Makai Lemon | USC
  3. Jordan Tyson  | ASU
  4. KC Concepcion | Texas A&M
  5. Denzel Boston | Washington
  6. Zachariah Branch | Georgia 
  7. Nyck Harbor | South Carolina 
  8. Elijah Sarratt | Indiana
  9. Chris Barzell II | Tennessee
  10. Germie Bernard | Alabama

Tight End 

  1. Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon
  2. Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt
  3. Michael Trigg | Baylor
  4. Max Klare | Ohio State
  5. Terrance Carter Jr | Texas Tech
  6. Eli Raridon | Notre Dame
  7. Jack Endries | Texas 
  8. Joe Royer | Cincinnati 
  9. Justin Joly | NC State 
  10. John Michael Gyllenborg | Wyoming

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A deep, no-mercy breakdown of every trade from DynasDee’s inaugural season — separating sharp process from panic moves, and identifying the deals that quietly shaped the league’s future.

Read More
DynasDee Insiders January 4, 2026

Join Our Newsletter

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