As we roll into April, it’s officially rookie season. With the Combine and Pro Days behind us and the 2026 NFL Draft on deck, it’s time to start digging into this year’s class. I’ll kick things off with my Top 25 pre-draft rankings, with a Top 50 coming next week.
This rookie class is more exciting than originally advertised. The second-round tier, in particular, is loaded with talent, and landing spots will ultimately determine how this group reshuffles after draft weekend. Let me know in the comments where you agree (or tell me how wrong I am) with my pre-draft rookie rankings.
Rankings
| Rank | Name | Position |
| 1 | Jeremiyah Love | RB1 |
| 2 | Fernando Mendoza | QB1 |
| 3 | Carnell Tate | WR1 |
| 4 | Jordyn Tyson | WR2 |
| 5 | Makai Lemon | WR3 |
| 6 | Kenyon Sadiq | TE1 |
| 7 | K.C. Concepcion | WR4 |
| 8 | Omar Cooper Jr. | WR5 |
| 9 | Denzel Boston | WR6 |
| 10 | Eli Stowers | TE2 |
| 11 | Jadarian Price | RB2 |
| 12 | Mike Washington Jr. | RB3 |
| 13 | Ty Simpson | QB2 |
| 14 | Elijah Sarratt | WR7 |
| 15 | Jonah Coleman | RB4 |
| 16 | Emmett Johnson | RB5 |
| 17 | Nicholas Singleton | RB6 |
| 18 | Chris Brazzell II | WR8 |
| 19 | Chris Bell | WR9 |
| 20 | Kaytron Allen | RB7 |
| 21 | Germie Bernard | WR10 |
| 22 | Garrett Nussmeier | QB3 |
| 23 | Zachariah Branch | WR11 |
| 24 | Antonio Williams | WR12 |
| 25 | Ted Hurst | WR13 |
Rookies
- Player: Omar Cooper Jr.
- Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 8| WR5
Fantasy Impact: If you miss out on the top three wide receivers, landing Cooper Jr. in the mid-first would be a strong consolation prize. He’s a YAC monster with legit speed and playmaking ability in space. Some will label him raw, with an unpolished route tree similar to Brandon Aiyuk coming out, but the upside is obvious. In the right developmental situation, Cooper Jr. has the tools to become a long-term fantasy producer.
- Player: Eli Stowers
- Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 10 | TE2
Fantasy Impact: I actually prefer Stowers over Kenyon Sadiq — even though I ranked Sadiq higher. Sadiq’s Combine testing was absurd, and he’ll likely earn better draft capital and more early snaps thanks to his blocking ability. But for fantasy? Give me the receiver. Stowers owns the superior receiving profile and production, which is what matters most. He led the nation’s tight ends with 769 receiving yards and finished second with 62 receptions in 12 games.
- Player: Mike Washington Jr.
- Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 12| RB3
Fantasy Impact: An early sleeper in dynasty circles is quickly climbing into borderline first-round territory. Washington was one of the biggest Combine risers, posting elite testing numbers — a 4.33 forty, 39-inch vertical, and 10-foot-8 broad jump. The second-team All-SEC back already had the production, and now the athletic profile matches. Landing spot could push him even higher, making him one of the most important names to monitor during the NFL Draft.
- Player: Emmett Johnson
- Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 16 | RB5
Fantasy Impact: Johnson stands out among the second-tier running backs as arguably the only true three-down option. He broke out at Nebraska with 251 carries for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns while also leading the consensus top-10 rookie RBs with 46 receptions last season. He added 39 catches as a sophomore, reinforcing his receiving profile. His only real blemish is a modest 4.53 forty, but the versatility matters more for fantasy. If he lands with Day 2 draft capital on an RB-needy roster, Johnson has the profile to outproduce expectations and climb quickly.
- Player: Antonio Williams
- Dynasty Rookie Rank: Overall 24 | WR12
Fantasy Impact: Williams is one of my favorite late second-round targets and an under-the-radar name in this WR class. He profiles primarily as a slot receiver but brings legit 4.40 speed. Williams fits the modern NFL mold — strong hands, clean routes, and the ability to uncover quickly against zone coverage. He’s quietly produced 15 touchdowns over his last 24 games and may be overlooked due to Clemson’s underwhelming 2025 offense. That discount makes him an intriguing upside swing in rookie drafts.
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