For my 2026 NFL Draft rookies review, you won’t find a bullet-pointed pros and cons list, or a multi-paragraph deep dive, or every position ranked and evaluated like Dane Brugler’s jaw-dropping “The Beast.” What you will find is:
My top-75 skill position rookies who could be fantasy football relevant
Quick-hit breakdowns with possible production/value outcomes
Fun (at least I think so) mash-up player comparisons for those outcomes
Groupings video game style, because what else do you expect from a ’90s kid
Alphabetical order in each tier, so the first player mentioned isn’t necessarily “better” than another in the same tier
Explaining the tiers
S-tier — Elite prospect. Likely to end up in the QB1/RB1/WR1/TE1 tier conversation — some even as a rookie.
A-tier — Potential to become a “1” at their positions, but at least a fantasy starter. Landing spots play into the ceilings and floors.
B-tier — Quality players with concerns, but enough upside to become a regular fantasy starter. Landing spot now carries more weight, including usage/snap counts.
C-tier — Mix of upside and risk. Draft capital, landing spots, scheme and surrounding talent become more significant factors. Still have surprise potential (Tank Dell was here).
D-tier — Longshots. Might not get drafted, developmental picks, etc. Ty Chandler and Jordan Whittington are previous examples.
Not a typo — I don’t have any S-Tier QBs, and the A/B-Tier at RB is because I don’t see any guaranteed A’s, but the two listed are close and ahead of the B’s.
QuarterbacksA-Tier
Fernando Mendoza, IND: Many default to Jared Goff … with some rushing. What about 2024 Baker Mayfield? Or, Brock Purdy? Mendoza has top-10 QB upside with mid-to-low-QB2 downside. Baker Purdy
B-Tier
Drew Allar, PSU: Has the size and arm for the NFL, but can struggle through reads and with placement. He has more Goff to his game, with Will Levis downside. Needs development. Jared Levis
Taylen Green, ARK: Top-notch dual threat. Great arm and works his progressions. His mechanics and placement are inconsistent. Best of Anthony Richardson … and the worst, with a Jalen Milroe mix. Jalen Richardson
Ty Simpson, ALA: Shows promise but questionable anticipation and placement. Can run. Some Bryce Young, especially with questionable decisions, and some Bo Nix for the ceiling. Bryce Nix
C-Tier
Carson Beck, MIA: Pocket passer who can look great given time and a clean pocket, but terrible otherwise. Matt Ryan at his best. Kenny Pickett at his worst. Matt Pickett
Cade Klubnik, CLEM: Jekyll and Hyde, showing athleticism and quality on one play, then erraticism and panic on the next. Recklessness of Gardner Minshew at times — with some of the highlights — and some Michael Penix throwing. Michael Minshew
Behren Morton, TT: High level of working the defense and through progressions. Injury history, but plays through a lot, and there is also a concern about pass placement and timing. Another QB with some Purdy to his game, but also the good and bad of Philip Rivers. Brock Rivers (75% value)
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: Nice arm, but inconsistency, especially with reading the defense. There’s some Sam Darnold and Jameis Winston to his game. Sam Winston
Cole Payton, NDST: Great rushing upside with size to match. Throws and reads need development. Given his passing concerns, including mechanics, Tim Tebow’s name is often mentioned, but there is also some Desmond Ridder, who may represent his ceiling (NFL backup). Desmond Tebow
Sawyer Robertson, BAY: Cousin of Jarrett Stidham, making people draw immediate comparisons. NFL arm but will miss throws, both floating and fastballing at times. Blaine Gabbert’s similarity is a real risk. Jarrett Gabbert
Running BacksS-Tier
Jeremiyah Love, ND: Would be a shock if not an RB1 … immediately. Everyone is comparing him to Jahmyr Gibbs, but add height and weight, so a combo of DeMarco Murray and Gibbs? Love is like pulling a Holo Rare Lucario. LuMarco Gibbs
A/B-Tier
Jadarian Price, ND: Some have compared him to Javonte Williams, but Price is more explosive with questions of third-down/passing-game work. The speed and style have some similarities to Raheem Mostert. Javonte Mostert
Mike Washington, ARK: Plenty of hype before the combine and now top-three consideration after a blazing 4.33 40-yard dash with 6-foot-1, 223-pound size. He’s a force with the ball, with concerns about fumbling and slowing down to hit stretch-blocking gaps or in short-area moves. Still, the comparisons to Clinton Portis, Chris Carson and Jay Ajayi are real. Clinton Carson or Chris Ajayi
B-Tier
Kaytron Allen, PSU: Great vision and patience with good short-area burst to add yards. Little passing-game upside, and lacks breakaway speed. Lots of Tyler Allgeier and Nick Chubb comparisons, but I’d lean more toward Allgeier, who carried top-15 value when leading the Falcons’ backfield before Bijan Robinson. Some Jordan Mason, too. Jordan Allgeier
Demond Claiborne, WAKE: Play Pokémon? Claiborne seemingly uses Double Team. No Pokémon? How about old enough to remember the L1 and R1 jukes on NFL GameDay? The point is that Clairborne is elusive as hell, like LeSean McCoy in the snow. The downside is his size and his tendency to try to do too much, in the vein of Nyheim Hines. Nyheim McCoy
Jonah Coleman, WASH: While shorter, Coleman is a sturdy/bulky type who can muscle through and bounce off tacklers. He doesn’t have top-notch speed or a terrific burst. Somewhat of an old-school Frank Gore, with Devin Singletary similarities. Devin Gore
Emmett Johnson, NEB: Great receiving running back with burst through lanes, but pass protection is lacking to get the full passing down workload, and speed is OK, not great. Could be Kyren Williams as a runner with better receiving upside, but also has the risk of being a receiving option without burst or enough work for consistent value, à la Kenneth Gainwell. Kyren Gainwell
Nicholas Singleton, PSU: Great speed and hits it quick with size to match. One-cut type who runs a bit upright and doesn’t have a ton of elusiveness. Decent receiver but similar upside and downside after the catch. A mix of Tevin Coleman and Isaac Guerendo. Tevin Guerendo
C-Tier
Roman Hemby, IND: Good speed, but it’s not immediate and rather built-up. Mostly downhill without a ton of moves, but brings reliable pass blocking. Feels a bit like a later career Kareem Hunt or a Rico Dowdle. Kareem Dowdle
Seth McGowan, UK: Smaller Derrick Henry, but with almost the same power, and that includes sometimes being too patient to press the line. Chris Rodriguez’s value is reasonable. Derrick Rodriguez (because we’ve seen a Chris Henry)
Jam Miller, ALA: Chiseled and powerful — built for a heavy workload. Good receiving option despite his style, which raises questions about top speed and open-field vision. Miller compared his game to Josh Jacobs, though Corey Clement may be a better fit. Josh Clement
Le’Veon Moss, TXAM: More one-cut but can step-and-go with good finishing power. Elusiveness and lack of pass-catching bring questions. Damien Harris is a decent comparison to go with the tons of Tank Bigsby comps out there. Tank Harris
Adam Randall, CLEM: If you want the easy version, just look at the 84 (see what I did?) comparisons to Cordarrelle Patterson. I think Randall’s play is more Antonio Gibson-ish, but Randall’s behind a bit in the speed department compared to both. Cordarrelle Gibson
J’Mari Taylor, UVA: Slippery with good balance despite being a tad small and just one year of FBS play. Given his small-school background, some mention James Robinson, but Taylor has a bit of Taiwan Jones to his game too. Taiwan Robinson
D-Tier
Kaelon Black, IND: Dude is a Weeble Wobble (iykyk) with good vision. Lacks great speed and receiving upside, but can timeshare as the power option. Lower-half Mark Ingram with some Bilal Powell. Bilal Ingram
CJ Donaldson, OSU: Closer to the size of Derrick Henry than McGowan but with a receiving background. Production fell off greatly at Ohio State, but three-down ability in a possible Latavius Murray-type deployment. Latavius Henry
Rahsul Faison, SC: Reminds me of Damien Martinez from last year, but obviously, that sounds like a bad thing. He looks comfortable on every touch with good hands, but is older and without elite athleticism. Somewhat of a Marlon Mack. Marlon Martinez
Eli Heidenreich, NAVY: Great speed score with rushing and receiving ability. He can bring more than Tysom Hill, without the passing game, and could be more of a Danny Woodhead type. Taysom Woodhead
Robert Henry, UTSA: Compact, one-cut style, but sometimes needs more patience for his blockers. Henry feels like a shorter Ryan Mathews or another Rico Dowdle type. Rico Mathews
Barika Kpeenu, NDST: Very strong runner who can break tackles or bounce off them outside with some decent speed. Kpeenu isn’t overly elusive and has some stiffness to his style. A mix of the upsides and downsides of Roschon Johnson and Peyton Barber. Roschon Barber
Jaydn Ott, OK: Almost like getting shot out of a cannon with vision to match. Some concern over handling a heavy workload. Could turn into a Jerome Ford on the right team, hopefully starting and carrying RB2 value, but also brings the potential limitations of another former Browns RB, Duke Johnson. Duke Ford
Desmond Reid, PIT: Remember Tarik Cohen? Reid has all the upside and all the similar concerns (size, pass blocking). Hey, Darren Sproles had a productive career, particularly with the Saints. Tarik Sproles
Terion Stewart, VT: I’m not giving him the ceiling of this player, but remember Maurice Jones-Drew — playing football, not the desk analyst. A compact, powerful runner with vision and drive to match. He also somewhat reminds me of a smaller Jamaal Williams. Jamaal Jones-Drew
Chip Trayanum, TOL: Struggled to do much until playing for Toledo as a sixth-year senior. Nevertheless, brings real power and surprising speed, but is more suited for straight-line/one-cut plays, similar to Miles Sanders or Alex Collins. Miles Collins
Noah Whittington, OR: Has somewhat of a shorter CJ Spiller feel, but is an older rookie without elite speed. There is some return-game potential with his first-move/cut ability, like a Ray Davis. Hey, two Bills! CJ Davis
Wide ReceiversS-Tier
Makai Lemon, USC: While some knock him for slot work and USC designing him open, Lemon simply knows how to find space, especially in zone. Fearless and some of the best hands, period. The easy comparison people make, especially given the fearlessness, is Amon-Ra St. Brown, but you can toss in some Diontae Johnson. Diontae St. Brown
Carnell Tate, OSU: “Oh no, Tate ran a 4.53!” Stop. CeeDee Lamb ran a 4.50, and Daniel Jeremiah compared the two for good reason. Tate succeeds everywhere on the field and can line up anywhere. So Lamb with a mix of his teammate (for now?) George Pickens. OK, he’s not a guaranteed Hall of Famer, but still. CeeDee Pickens
Jordyn Tyson, AZST: Can separate with ease … unless extremely strong and quick corners jam him, but that’s not a major concern. Catches nearly everything. Injury history. His play feels like a mix of Garrett Wilson and Stefon Diggs. Garrett Diggs
A-Tier
KC Concepcion, TXAM: Maybe I’ll look stupid, but I think Concepcion is the only A-Tier wideout. I love how easily he separates, fools defenders and piles up the yards after catch. You can knock him for a bit too many drops, which is why he’s not in the top tier, but a mix of Ladd McConkey and Wan’Dale Robinson, particularly YAC-wise, is very attractive. Wan’Dale McConkey
B-Tier
Chris Bell, LOU: While his own comparison to Julio Jones is exceptionally lofty, the size and style are a good comparison, but we’ve seen others like Xavier Legette fail to fully hit in the NFL. Bell can look terrific at times, particularly deep, like a Robert Meachem type. Xavier Meachem
Germie Bernard, ALA: Makes plays in the short-to-intermediate area and even out the backfield. Of course, that brings the Deebo Samuel comparisons, but Khalil Shakir is likely a better parallel. Even old-school (dang, am I now old enough to say that?) Golden Tate. Golden Shakir
Denzel Boston, WASH: Was dominant against man coverage, is a big-time red zone threat, and a prototypical outside receiver. The concern is a significant drop-off against zone and more of a possession wideout (not a major YAC-maker). Still, there are flashes of Courtland Sutton or a Michael Thomas, which will make this ranking seem low. Courtland Thomas
Zachariah Branch, UGA: His playmaking shows up in the return game as well as after the catch. Branch saw a lot of short-to-intermediate opportunities, similar to Tyreek Hill under Mike McDaniel. Branch is a bit more of an Xavier Worthy mixed with a Tavon Austin type, or volume-reliant. Xavier Austin
Chris Brazzell, TEN: You may have seen the “Tennessee WR” concerns and comparisons to Christian Watson, but Brazzell also shows the ability to break off routes and work the intermediate area of the field and/or back to the QB. I actually think of a leaner DK Metcalf. DK Watson
Omar Cooper, IND: Became more productive in the slot with his ability to find space and add yards after the catch. The concern is that Cooper will be stuck in an NFL slot role. Cooper has some decent speed too, showing some Romeo Doubs-ness with peak hope of Tyler Lockett. Romeo Lockett
Malachi Fields, ND: Fields has build-up speed, which brings obvious limitations. The downfield ability added to his big-time red-zone upside and contested-catch reliability offset a lot, bringing Mike Williams and Michael Pittman comparisons. Mike Pittman
Ja’Kobi Lane, USC: Prototypical big-play threat — downfield and valuable touchdown-maker. He’s lean and needs more route development, but is also young enough to improve. Lane could turn into a Tee Higgins or go the way of a Donovan Peoples-Jones. Tee Peoples-Jones
Elijah Sarratt, IND: Best nickname? “Waffle House” because he’s always open. Sarratt is a great route runner with hands to match. He’s far from a burner, which is part of his occasional struggles to release. There are some similarities to Keenan Allen here. Waffle Allen? Keenan House? Yeah … Waffle Allen
C-Tier
Skyler Bell, CONN: Quality route runner with YAC ability, shown in his great testing numbers. Can struggle with strong corners and catch radius, but similar to Darnell Mooney, the talent can win in a No. 2 role — a smaller DJ Chark, possibly. If he slips to Day 2 of the draft, you can argue he’s B-Tier. Darnell Chark
Deion Burks, OK: Will take the top off a defense — gets up to speed fast and can hit another gear. Smaller, with a smaller catch radius and some reception inconsistencies. There is some Mecole Hardman or Hollywood Brown here, so just put Burks on the Chiefs, I guess. Hollywood Hardman
Caleb Douglas, TT: NFL-sized wideout who’s shown upside on the outside and inside. Will have red-zone value even as a part-timer, which is likely the role he’ll start in, given limited routes, etc., coming from Texas Tech’s system. A Cedric Tillman type with the potential of turning into 90% Nico Collins (fantasy WR2). Nico Tillman … sounds cooler than Cedric Collins
Reggie Virgil, TT: Good in many areas without a truly elite skill or major concern. At worst, will be a nice downfield threat like Cedrick Wilson, but he has the talent and potential to be a Jauan Jennings and more. Cedrick Jennings
Antonio Williams, CLEM: Smart slot receiver. Seen as a “chain mover,” but has more YAC ability than that would suggest. Think of a Hunter Renfrow or Sterling Shepard type. Hunter Shepard … is that an RPG class or something?
D-Tier
Aaron Anderson, LSU: Slot wideout, which doesn’t surprise, given his size. He’s quick and savvy, and could succeed despite the size, similar to Wan’Dale Robinson, but struggles to click, like Jacob Cowing. Wan’Dale Cowing
Kevin Coleman, MIZZ: Experience in different schemes with best work in the slot, especially with finding space and YAC upside. Slot-only size and strength are the possible limitations, plus a decent chunk of manufactured touches in college. Feels like he’ll get some Greg “Dortchland” Dortch love with draft people and in fantasy, which shows the upside and downside, similar to Calvin Austin. Calvin Dortch
CJ Daniels, MIA: Smart receiver with good routes and field work, which shouldn’t surprise, as he’s an older rookie. There is some Jakobi Meyers here, with the downside of the inconsistent (health aside) Joshua Palmer. Jakobi Palmer
Emmanuel Henderson, KAS: Converted running back with great speed and return-game upside. Can argue there is room to grow into more than a big-play threat and become Lee Evans, but he’s also 23, so he may be “late in the game” and stuck as a Devin Duvernay type. Devin Evans
Ted Hurst, GAST: Another big outside receiver with big-play ability, but his great athleticism helps him win short-to-intermediate too. Hurst needs to develop more of his routes and work against man coverage, but a Michael Wilson or Alec Pierce trajectory is possible, though never clicking is also possible. Alec Wilson
Bryce Lance, NDST: The prototypical outside/X receiver with terrific athleticism and receiving ability, particularly to “go get it.” Lance is older and needs route-work refinement, but being a Jerricho Cotchery or taller Rashid Shaheed is in play. Jerricho Shaheed
Brenen Thompson, MSST: Tank Dell. There you go. OK, want more than a smaller speed freak? Well, like Dell, Thompson can work more than just deep, but has some press-coverage issues and could be an Isaiah McKenzie. Tank McKenzie
Tight EndsS-Tier
Kenyon Sadiq, OR: One part Vernon Davis freakishness, one part Delanie Walker all-around ability, including blocking. We’d love to see a bit more consistency in catching and route manipulation, but that’s nitpicking and essentially what would put him in elite NFL territory. Delanie Davis
Eli Stowers, VAN: Essentially a wideout masquerading as a tight end, Stowers has played nearly everywhere in the offense, including fullback. There is some mix of Evan Engram and Gerald Everett to his game, which shows the upside and possible inconsistent use and risk. Evan Everett
A-Tier
Max Klare, OSU: I’ve seen Mark Andrews mentioned, but I think there are some Brenton Strange qualities with Klare being a move tight end. For fantasy, we’d want him back to his Purdue days, as Ohio State had him bulk up and block more. Mark Strange
Michael Trigg, BAY: Record wingspan of 84 3/8 — 7 feet! Real wideout-like YAC ability, but his route work and drops bring some concern similar to Eric Ebron back in the day. The potential looks to be what we hope Isaiah Likely is on a team away from Andrews. Eric Likely
Jack Endries, TEX: Prototypical “reliable, possession tight end.” Endries will catch everything, giving his quarterback a true safety blanket. He’s stiff and not the most athletic, but Endries feels like a nice floor mix of T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Schultz. Dalton Hockenson
B-Tier
Daequan Wright, MISS: Speedy and smooth for his size with a mix of Jonnu Smith and David Njoku, but the risk of a Chig Okonkwo, where we hope for more but don’t get it. Jonnu Njoku-Okonkwo
Oscar Delp, UGA: Nice speed score (114.3 — 108 is often considered the “floor” needed) helped his outlook. Provides YAC upside with toughness over elusiveness and pure athleticism like a Dawson Knox or Ben Watson. Dawson Watson
Dallen Bentley, UTAH: If I see one more Hunter Henry comparison … well, I guess everyone has a point. Bentley is an all-around talent with good routes, and his high speed score (113.7) helps matters. He’s not a guaranteed hit, as seen with tight ends like Coby Fleener. Hunter Fleener
Justin Joly, NCST: Converted wideout who catches everything — OK, one drop — who can play wide or inside with good strength. He’s not a quick-move/twitch athlete or great blocker, but think Kyle Pitts. There’s some Jordan Reed, too, but those names shouldn’t underscore his risk of not hitting. Jordan Pitts
Eli Raridon, ND: Ran a 4.62 at 6-foot-7, 252 pounds. He’s another Fleener but without the college production to match, likely due to his straight-line style, but he has great hands and has some potential similar to another former Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet. Coby Kmet
Joe Royer, CIN: One of those players who does everything great without a glaring flaw but also no jaw-dropping aspects. I think of Royer as a faster Kyle Rudolph or even Marcedes Lewis. Marcedes Rudolph
C-Tier
Josh Cuevas, ALA: Cuevas is Endries at a smaller size and with average athleticism. His game IQ and hands will give him a chance. A mix of a smaller Cade Otton or a Brent Celek. Cade Celek
Marlin Klein, MICH: Good athlete from a team that didn’t fully utilize him as a receiving option. Klein is a bit stiff, which can limit his separation, but he has potential with the right team to develop as we hoped Luke Willson would. Willson never hit the level of a Dallas Goedert, which is still lofty for Klein. Dallas Willson … all the L’s
Tanner Koziol, HOU: Surprising ability in routes given his size, and with great hands. Red-zone threat much more than a YAC guy, with decent, not great, speed. So, a slower Mike Gesicki or Zach Ertz type. Zach Gesicki
Sam Roush, STAN: Don’t love the drops, but like that he’s coming from an NFL-style offense. His testing was fairly explosive, with limited routes. Could be today’s version of Jack Doyle or Tyler Conklin. Jack Conklin