The 2026 NFL Draft is underway and the first round should be filled with players who will have an impact on fantasy football next season — whether in redraft or dynasty leagues. Yahoo analyst Joel Smyth is going to provide his fantasy football grades for every relevant prospect drafted in the first round on Thursday night. Follow along for live updates.

Rankings, projections and takeaways for 1st round fantasy prospects

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Round 1QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

With Klint Kubiak taking over the Raiders, Mendoza’s chances of succeeding at the next level improve greatly. Kirk Cousins, who will be Mendoza’s mentor in Las Vegas, was the fantasy QB12 with Kubiak calling plays in Minnesota. For 1QB leagues, Mendoza’s upside could be limited in a run-heavy offensive attack. For example, even though Sam Darnold played great in Kubiak’s system last season, he only averaged 14.2 fantasy PPG.

RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

James Conner was extended last season, Tyler Allgeier signed this offseason and now Jeremiyah Love was added this draft season. Allgeier will play a role he’s very successful in, similar to how he did in Atlanta, but Bijan Robinson showed that it doesn’t mean you can’t be a top-five fantasy RB while sharing the load. The last time head coach Mike LaFleur had a rookie RB was Breece Hall, who averaged over 15 half-PPR fantasy PPG prior to his injury. It may take time, but Love’s talent should make him an established RB1 on an offense figuring out its future.

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WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The first shock of the night! The commonly mocked landing spots for Tate looked grim, but the OSU WR lands in Tennessee with very little competition. It is yet to be seen if Cam Ward is the answer, but Tate getting top-five draft capital and with volume up for grabs, it was one of the best options possible. Ward’s aggressive play style can pair well with Tate’s downfield contested catch ability. Brian Daboll’s offense supplied Malik Nabers with 170 rookie targets; hopefully, Tate can get at least near the 125 mark.

WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

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Once Tyler Shough stepped into the starting role, WR Chris Olave averaged 15.8 half-PPR PPG the rest of the way. Tyson had a ridiculous 33.0% target share at Arizona State in 2025, including the two games limited with injury. With him sliding in on the opposite side of Olave, there should be plenty of volume to go around in this WR-centric offense. Outside of the Chiefs, this was the best option for a receiver early in the draft.

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Pick: No. 13

Team: Los Angeles Rams

Fantasy Fit: A+

It’s simple, Sean McVay = A+. Matthew Stafford, the 2025 fantasy QB4 last season, will stay around for another year or two, but for a QB who started one year in college, the Jordan Love path for Simpson is perfect. High draft capital, an elite receiving weapon in Puka Nacua and a Hall of Fame QB to learn under. Simpson becomes an extremely intriguing dynasty draft pick.

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TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Pick: No. Pick 16

Team: New York Jets

Fantasy Fit: D+

After choosing TE Mason Taylor 42nd overall last season, the Jets go TE early again. New York was 29th in scoring offense last year and will be led by the QB who was on the 32nd-ranked scoring offense. The target competition isn’t bad, but Sadiq’s scoring opportunities will be low.

WR Makai Lemon, USC

Pick: Pick 20

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Fantasy Fit: B

With A.J. Brown expected to leave town, Lemon slides in as a very different style of WR. The USC star ran 76% of his college routes out of the slot but has the ability to play all over. With a new playcaller coming in, Lemon will need to be versatile and make the most of his opportunities in a run-first offense the way Smith and Brown have in recent years.

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WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Pick: Pick 24

Team: Cleveland Browns

Fantasy Fit: D+

The competition for targets is Harold Fannin Jr., and that’s about it. Most of the Browns offense is yet to be figured out, with a QB competition around the corner and Todd Monken back as playcaller. Hopefully, the Browns offense is more similar to 2024 when Jerry Jeudy was WR23 in fantasy, rather than in 2025 when he fell to WR62.

… More to come as Round 1 keeps going!