Rookies are the ultimate wild cards in fantasy football. They're talented, young, scrappy and hungry but they're still unproven in the pro game.
That's why fantasy managers need to be careful when counting on rookies to be every-week starters at the skill positions. It's better to draft them for the upside they could display later in the season.
Of course, pushing anyone from this group down your draft list opens the door for someone else to swoop in and grab them. So if you don't mind adding a little extra risk to your portfolio, don't throw away your shot to draft these 2026 rookies.
FANTASY FOOTBALL CHEAT SHEETS:Printable overall, by position rankings for 2026 season
Fantasy football rookie rankings
1. RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Love is the highest-drafted running back (No. 3 overall) since Saquon Barkley in 2018. That alone should have fantasy managers excited about the possibilities. However, many also remember the hype surrounding Ashton Jeanty (No. 6 overall last year) and how he didn't quite live up to the admittedly lofty expectations.
Love has a great combination of power, speed and receiving skills that should make him a three-down threat. But the Cardinals do have other, more experienced backfield options in Tyler Allgeier, James Conner and Trey Benson if Love should struggle.
2. RB Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
With Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III off to Kansas City in free agency and backup Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, Price has a golden opportunity in Seattle. The Seahawks ranked third in the NFL with a 49.7% run play rate, so Price could be in for a substantial workload from the jump.
3. WR Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans
Tate was selected immediately after Love with the No. 4 overall pick, immediately vaulting to the top target for second-year quarterback Cam Ward. The Ohio State product is a polished route runner and has the size (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) to be a good contested-catch weapon. With the Titans likely to be trailing often, Tate could see a ton of targets.
4. WR Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints
Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough has Chris Olave as his No. 1 target, but Tyson could be a nice complement on the other side. And don't forget, Olave has missed considerable time throughout his career due to injuries. The No. 8 overall pick has also had injury issues throughout his career too, but his ability to shake coverage and get open may be the superior to any of the rookie receivers.
Saturday Saints training camp
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) August 8, 2026
Team drills
Tyler Shough finds Jordyn Tyson along the sideline. Tyson with a celebration handshake after the catch. @wdsuhttps://t.co/jvrilzqz6Vpic.twitter.com/Y8arsKcbHu
5. RB Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
Coleman's fantasy draft stock seems to be rising with the uncertainty surrounding the Broncos backfield. J.K. Dobbins can't seem to stay healthy. RJ Harvey is a far better receiver than runner. So maybe there's room for Coleman to work his way into the mix. The Washington standout has elite balance and great power on his 5-foot-8, 220-pound frame, so he could be the primary option around the goal line.
6. WR Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles
With A.J. Brown gone, Lemon has as good a chance as anyone to take over as Jalen Hurts' No. 2 target behind DeVonta Smith. However, he's struggled in his limited reps during training camp, due in part to a balky hamstring. As an undersized receiver (5-11, 192 pounds), the 2025 Belitnikoff Award winner at USC will need to rely on his route-running skills and strong hands if he's going to succeed in the NFL.
7. WR De'Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers
After being selected 33rd overall in the draft, Stribling has emerged as a popular fantasy sleeper during training camp with so many Niners receivers going down with injuries. He's had some hamstring issues himself, but they've been minor and haven't caused him to miss much practice time. He also has something no other receiver in camp does: blazing speed (a 4.36 40-yard time at the NFL Combine).
8. WR KC Concepcion, Cleveland Browns
The Browns offense is a big question mark this season, especially with the starting quarterback job unlikely to be decided until after the second preseason game. Concepcion and fellow rookie Denzel Boston are also competing for snaps at wide receiver, albeit with different skillsets. Concepcion is more of an elusive, middle-of-the-field threat, while Boston is more of a vertical playmaker and red-zone target. It's not impossible for both to emerge as fantasy contributors, but Concepcion seems to be slightly ahead at this stage.
9. WR Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets
Cooper starred for national champion Indiana, earning him a spot in the first round of the draft as the Jets moved up to get him. Garrett Wilson is the team's unquestioned WR1, but Cooper has a shot to supplant veteran Adonai Mitchell as the No. 2. With everyone adjusting to a new offense and a new quarterback in Geno Smith, it could put Cooper on more even footing as he looks to make his mark.
10. QB Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders
Speaking of Indiana, Mendoza was the driving force behind the Hoosiers' perfect season. It earned him a Heisman Trophy and the No. 1 overall spot in the draft. Unfortunately, his fantasy prospects aren't as lofty as he joins the lowly Raiders. New coach Klint Kubiak prefers to bring rookie quarterbacks along slowly, so Mendoza will likely sit behind Kirk Cousins to start the season. However, talent should eventually win out − making Mendoza an interesting late-round flyer and a nice value pick in keeper leagues.
Contributing: Jacob Camenker
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 10 NFL rookies just might help you win a fantasy football title