The NFL offseason is in full swing as free agency is underway. However, the highlight of the offseason is the NFL Draft. More importantly, dynasty rookie drafts start shortly after the NFL Draft, meaning now is the time to prepare for the highlight of the fantasy football offseason.
Let’s break down this two-round rookie mock draft, tailored for a 12-team, PPR, 1QB dynasty league format.
- 2026 NFL Draft Guide
- 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
- Best Fantasy Football Tools
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft
Pick 1.01: Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)
Last year’s dynasty rookie class was headlined by Ashton Jeanty, as the clear-cut 1.01 pick in every league. Fantasy players should expect a similar result this year with Love. The former Notre Dame star is an elite prospect, with several scouts grading him higher than Jeanty last year and as the highest-rated running back since Bijan Robinson in 2023. Love has been the focal point of Notre Dame’s offense, totaling over 1,360 scrimmage yards and at least 19 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons to end his college career.
Pick 1.02: Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)
The next three picks of this mock draft will be wide receivers. However, the order in which they are selected in dynasty rookie drafts will be different in most leagues. Tate is the safest of the trio after a productive career at Ohio State, despite never being the No. 1 guy because of Jeremiah Smith and Marvin Harrison Jr. Yet, he posted career highs in receiving yards (875) and touchdowns (nine) last season. Tate should be the first wide receiver off the board during the NFL Draft.
Pick 1.03: Makai Lemon (WR – USC)
Lemon has quietly moved into the No. 2 wide receiver spot behind Carnell Tate. However, he could surpass the former Ohio State star when rookie drafts begin. Despite his average frame (5’11” and 192 pounds), Lemon had the sixth-best contested catch rate (66.7) among wide receivers in the draft class with at least 80 targets last season (per PFF). More importantly, he had a breakout year in 2025, totaling 79 receptions for 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, easily setting career highs in every category.
Pick 1.04: Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)
How NFL teams and fantasy players feel about Tyson’s injury history will drastically impact his landing spot in the NFL Draft and dynasty rookie drafts. The former Arizona State star was outstanding in 2024, totaling 75 receptions for 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. Unfortunately, he missed time last season with injuries. Yet, Tyson has the most upside of any wide receiver in the draft class, but also comes with significant injury risk. Yet, he is a lock to be a top-five dynasty rookie pick.
Pick 1.05: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)
Unfortunately, the 2026 tight end class is far from as loaded as last year’s group. While Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland are far-and-away better prospects than Sadiq, the former Oregon star is worthy of a top-six pick in dynasty rookie drafts and is the clear-cut top tight end in the draft class. Furthermore, he likely will be the only tight end selected in the first 40 picks of the NFL Draft. Sadiq posted career highs in several categories last season, including a team-high eight receiving touchdowns.
Pick 1.06: Denzel Boston (WR – Washington)
Boston is a solid rookie wide receiver draft prospect. However, many believe this is where the rookie class takes a massive dip. Therefore, fantasy players should try to acquire a top-five pick if possible. Yet, the former Washington star could see his fantasy value improve before the NFL Draft. He is an excellent downfield playmaker, totaling over 830 receiving yards and at least nine touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. Boston’s dynasty stock could skyrocket if he lands with a team desperate for an outside No. 1 wide receiver.
Pick 1.07: Fernando Mendoza (QB – Indiana)
If fantasy players thought last year’s quarterback class was awful, the 2026 group is far worse. However, Mendoza is the exception to the rule and is the clear-cut top quarterback in the draft class. He will be the first-overall NFL Draft pick, landing with the Las Vegas Raiders. While many might think that’s a death sentence, the Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as their head coach. Last season, Sam Darnold had a career year with Kubiak running the offense. Mendoza could be a fantasy star as a rookie.
Pick 1.08: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)
While Fernando Mendoza was the clear leader of Indiana’s offense last year—much like Batman—Cooper played a vital, complementary role, akin to Robin. He made a ridiculous catch at the end of the Penn State game, ensuring Indiana’s perfect season. Cooper also led the team in receptions (69) and receiving yards (937) while ranking second in receiving touchdowns (13). Yet, he finished third in college football in receiving touchdowns despite his teammate, Elijah Sarratt, leading the country with 15. Don’t be surprised if Cooper is a top 20 NFL Draft pick.
Pick 1.09: KC Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)
After two solid years at North Carolina State, Concepcion transferred to Texas A&M and had a career season. He finished with 61 receptions for 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the Aggies in every category while ranking first in the SEC in receiving scores. Concepcion can be a dangerous weapon after the catch, making him potentially a star for fantasy players depending on where he lands in the NFL Draft. Two ideal landing spots for him would be with the San Francisco 49ers or the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pick 1.10: Jadarian Price (RB – Notre Dame)
Notre Dame has the two best running backs in the draft this year. While Jeremiyah Love is the top running back in the draft class, many scouts believe Price is the clear-cut No. 2 guy behind his former teammate. Hopefully, fantasy players don’t make the same mistake as last year, drafting a Day 2 running back (Kaleb Johnson) over a first-round wide receiver (Emeka Egbuka). However, Price could get drafted with a first-round pick, pushing him ahead of the last several wide receivers in this mock draft.
Pick 1.11: Zachariah Branch (WR – Georgia)
There is a wide range of opinion about Branch as a prospect. Some believe he is a third-round talent who could spend most of his career as a special teams star. Others think the former Georgia star is the next Zay Flowers. I believe Branch is somewhere in the middle but worthy of a late first-round dynasty rookie pick if he has top-50 draft capital. After two years at USC, Branch transferred to Georgia last season, posting career highs in receptions (81), receiving yards (811), and touchdowns (six).
Pick 1.12: Mike Washington Jr. (RB – Arkansas)
Everyone knew Washington was fast. However, the former Arkansas star was outstanding during the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash, the eighth-fastest in Indianapolis, despite weighing in at 223 pounds. Furthermore, Washington was one of 10 players to run the 40-yard dash in under 4.35 seconds and the only running back to hit that mark. More importantly, he is not just a burner. The former Arkansas star had at least eight rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, while averaging 6.4 yards per rushing attempt in 2025.
Round 2
- Pick 2.01: Chris Brazzell II (WR – Tennessee)
- Pick 2.02: Chris Bell (WR – Louisville)
- Pick 2.03: Germie Bernard (WR – Alabama)
- Pick 2.04: Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)
- Pick 2.05: Jonah Coleman (RB – Washington)
- Pick 2.06: Eli Stowers (TE – Vanderbilt)
- Pick 2.07: Emmett Johnson (RB – Nebraska)
- Pick 2.08: Malachi Fields (WR – Notre Dame)
- Pick 2.09: Antonio Williams (WR – Clemson)
- Pick 2.10: Elijah Sarratt (WR – Indiana)
- Pick 2.11: Kaytron Allen (RB – Penn State)
- Pick 2.12: Nicholas Singleton (RB – Penn State)
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
