Quick Take: Senior NFL Prospects Analyst Keith Ensminger breaks down his updated 2026 Dynasty Rookie Big Board Rankings through Week 8 of the college football season. These are his latest top 25 prospects, organized by tier, as the next wave of talent prepares to enter dynasty leagues.
Click to Read about the 2026 NFL Draft Class
While every rookie class brings hope, this 2026 rookie class looks and feels different to many of the classes we’ve been blessed with lately, and not in a good way. I think this is a down rookie class overall, especially when stacked against what we’ve seen the last few years. There will inevitably still be some pieces that can help dynasty rosters, but I see far fewer who project as long-term fantasy roster anchors. As Rich often notes on the podcast during rookie breakdowns, it’s important not to view these prospects only in isolation as rookies. We have to remember where they fit in the entire NFL player pool.
Once thought to be the keystones of this class, the biggest uncertainty remains at quarterback. We’re waiting to see who truly seizes the reins, because once that happens, those players will rocket straight to the top of the rankings. Until then, it’s a muddled group of talented but unproven signal-callers mixed with well-known but underproducing veterans. At wide receiver, there’s plenty of skill and versatility, but I believe this group is mostly full of complementary pieces rather than true alphas. And looking ahead, the incoming 2027 class, flush with talented wide receivers, will easily outshine this class, pushing them further down the fantasy pecking order.
In short, if you’re looking for the next first-round startup picks such as Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Ashton Jeanty were when they came into the NFL as rookies… they aren’t here, sorry.
Catch up with Big Board 3.0 and stay tuned for Jared Wackerly‘s 5.0 on November 3rd.
Height and Weight Table | 2026 Dynasty Rookie Big Board Rankings
Top 25 Dynasty Rookie Prospects | NFL Draft Rookie Big Board (Condensed)
Below are Keith Ensminger’s Top 25 Rookie Prospects as it stands Post Week 6 of the CFB season
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TIER 1 | SuperFlex Cornerstone Prospects
No. 1 | Dante Moore | QB | Oregon | 6’3’’ | 206 lbs
A highly-touted prospect even as a high school freshman, Dante Moore became an immediate varsity starter at Martin Luther King High School in Detroit and quickly emerged as one of the nation’s elite quarterback prospects. After winning back-to-back Michigan state titles, he ultimately earned five-star status from the major recruiting services, was ranked No. 2 overall by ESPN and No. 3 by 247Sports, and was the No. 3 quarterback in the 2023 class.
Dante Moore (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire)
After spending one season at UCLA, Moore ultimately transferred to Oregon to play with the Ducks in November 2023. Now as the unquestioned starter, Moore is finally showcasing the traits scouts drooled about all those years ago. He stands at 6′3’’ and delivers an accurate ball with a clean throwing motion. He can distribute to all areas of the field and has even developed mobility to extend plays. Moore’s poise, experience, completion percentage, and big-play rate help make him my top-ranked signal caller in this class and its top overall prospect.
I believe Dante Moore will be drafted within the first three picks of the 2026 NFL Draft—if not first overall. What does that mean from a dynasty perspective? Dante Moore profiles as a foundational piece who can anchor a SuperFlex roster. His combination of traits and measurables are reminiscent of an early-career Dak Prescott.
No. 2 | LaNorris Sellers | QB | South Carolina | 6’3’’ | 240 lbs
If Dante Moore was a recruiting service rocket of a prospect, LaNorris Sellers was a bit more of a slow burn. Sellers came out of high school as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 2,949 yards with a 45-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio while adding 1,338 rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs in his senior year en route to a South Carolina state championship. However, despite those eye-popping numbers, he was rated as just a three-star recruit by most recruiting services.
Resembling an early-career Jalen Hurts, Sellers’ upside is unmistakable. His blend of arm strength, size, and run-game explosiveness is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s comfortable throwing off-platform and extending plays with his legs, which is good, because he’s needed it this year. South Carolina’s offensive line has not done their quarterback any favors, and Sellers often spends his Saturday running for his life. It’s entirely possible he returns to college for another season, even as a transfer. He still needs to work on his anticipation and getting the ball out sooner. However, don’t mistake Sellers for a player like Anthony Richardson—Sellers’ passing is leaps and bounds more refined.
From a dynasty lens, Sellers’ dual-threat scoring upside and rapidly improving passing lands him here as my second-ranked player. If he is indeed drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, whether this year or next, he is an easy rank for me here above the top prospects at other non-quarterback positions.
No. 3 | Justice Haynes | RB | Michigan | 5’11’’ | 210 lbs
Justice Haynes was a five-star recruit out of Georgia, ranked by Rivals as the No. 1 running back in his class and among the top-30 players nationally. In high school, Haynes piled up over 7,500 rushing yards, showing explosiveness and a mature running style. Committed to Alabama under legendary coach Nick Saban, Haynes was the talk of Tuscaloosa, lighting up the Alabama spring game as a true freshman to the tune of three touchdowns.
Justice Haynes (Photo by Chad Hamilton/Icon Sportswire)
Unable to get consistent touches under new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, Haynes, the son of former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Verron Haynes, transferred to Michigan and has made the most of his opportunity. Haynes has more than shown that he can be a featured back with three-down ability, flashing home-run ability on multiple occasions this season. Justice Haynes is the bell-cow running back that dynasty players covet.
In a class lacking elite talent, Justice Haynes is strong enough to run inside like Jonathan Taylor but combines it with the pass-catching skill and speed to the outside of Alvin Kamara. Haynes projects as a top-tier rookie running back who will be drafted within the top six of SuperFlex rookie drafts, and he is my top-ranked running back in this class. (Yes, even above Jeremiyah Love.)
No. 4 | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State | 6’2’’ | 201 lbs
Another player with athletic bloodlines (brother Jaylon plays for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers), Jordyn Tyson’s high school football career as a receiver was fairly nondescript. A three-star rated by Rivals as just the 119th-best wide receiver in his class, Tyson’s meteoric rise as an NFL prospect has been nothing short of phenomenal to watch unfold. While most of us were asleep on Saturday night, Arizona State became one of the biggest must-watch teams in the college football universe. As much as Cam Skattebo was the player many remember from their 2024 College Football Playoff overtime classic against Texas, we’ll never know what might have been had Jordyn Tyson not missed that game with an injury sustained the week prior in the Big 12 Championship win against Iowa State.
This season with the Sun Devils, Jordyn Tyson is thriving as the leader of the offense. His route running is refined, but his burst off the line is even more visible. He isn’t an elite athlete, but Tyson shows polished body control and makes highlight-worthy plays on a weekly basis. In a recent hard-fought win over Texas Tech, Tyson put the team on his back on his way to 105 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches. For dynasty fantasy football purposes, Tyson will give managers immediate startability with a reliable floor and a high-upside, reminiscent of Michael Thomas. In a group of pass catchers that’s mostly above-average at best, Tyson is one of the very few difference makers.
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No. 5 | Makai Lemon | WR | USC | 5’11’’ | 195 lbs
Makai Lemon came out of high school as a four-star receiver with excellent testing and tape. With a strong offer list that included programs such as LSU and Oregon, Lemon originally committed to Oklahoma before making the LA Memorial Coliseum at USC his home field. After a quiet freshman campaign, Lemon broke out in his sophomore season. Now, as a junior in coach Lincoln Riley’s aerial attack, Lemon has announced his presence to the NFL Draft community with authority as a dynamic playmaker. He has become the go-to threat at USC, winning on vertical routes and showing great potential to get yards after the catch.
Lemon is the kind of receiver who can provide immediate WR2 production for your dynasty lineup and pair it with weekly WR1 upside. Although Lemon is not as fast as this player, he compares to a young Tyreek Hill in his ability to score and stretch defenses, making him a surefire first-round rookie pick. He is neck-and-neck with the aforementioned Jordyn Tyson in my rankings.
No. 6 | Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame | 6’0’’ | 214 lbs
Another highly-recruited player who received offers from nearly every major college football program in the country, Jeremiyah Love dominated on the field and on the track in high school with big numbers and explosive runs. He led his Missouri high school team to back-to-back state championships and was named 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year. Similarly, he won the Missouri state title in the 100-meter dash running a blazing 10.76 seconds.
Jeremiyah Love (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire)
Empirically, Jeremiyah Love is fast, but what else is he? He has all the traits of a great fantasy running back with decisive footwork, strong contact balance, and finishing power in the red zone. He creates chunk-play opportunities and can catch the ball out of the backfield. With so many other analysts I respect, including here at Dynasty Nerds, having Love ranked more highly, I feel compelled to discuss why he’s down at number six for me (which, by the way, is still very, very good!). I have concerns as to whether his track-athlete body and “leggy” running style will hold up in the NFL. Love has already suffered a few soft-tissue injuries at Notre Dame. He’s a bit lankier than a player like Justice Haynes. That said, there is no doubt Love is a fantastically gifted prospect for both NFL teams and dynasty rosters. If I need a running back, I am making Haynes and Love a priority in my rookie drafts. Once you get past these two players, it quickly becomes slim pickings.
No. 7 | Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State | 6’3’’ | 195 lbs
Carnell Tate emerged from IMG Academy as one of the most electric receiver prospects in the 2023 recruit class. As a five-star prospect, he was IMG Academy’s leading wide receiver in 2022, catching 30 passes for 777 yards and eight touchdowns. Playing a tough schedule, Tate earned national recognition with his play and drew offers from nearly every Power 4 program. Ultimately, however, he chose to attend Ohio State as the next step in his path to a future in the NFL.
Overshadowed by the monolithic prospect that is Jeremiah Smith, Tate has carved out a role in the Buckeyes’ offense. He regularly wins off the line of scrimmage and dominates on deep posts. Tate has great body control and can adjust in the air to make spectacular grabs in contested-catch situations. He remains highly efficient given the consistent competition for targets throughout his collegiate career. Tate is a Day 1 starter with big-play upside and one of the safest players in this draft class. That said, he’s likely going to a team to be their Jordan Addison as opposed to their Justin Jefferson — a valuable but complementary piece.
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TIER 2 | Fantasy Starters
No. 8 | Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana | 6’5’’ | 225 lbs
Before talking about Fernando Mendoza, an important point of clarification. These ranks are not necessarily how I see these players coming off the board in a future rookie mock draft. Why? The quarterback draft positions and landing spots in the 2026 NFL Draft will greatly dictate their value. They could either rise to the top of the first as was the case with players like Bo Nix and Michael Penix, or, if they fall past the first round, they’ll plummet and be off my board almost entirely. Think Hendon Hooker and Malik Willis.
Coming out of high school, Fernando Mendoza was a very good, but certainly not elite recruit from Florida, and I feel like that phrase exemplifies Mendoza as a prospect. He has good size and arm mechanics, and since transferring from Cal to Indiana, Mendoza has posted strong numbers. He has a high completion rate and low interception count. He has improved his mobility and presence in the pocket and developed better timing. He’s less of a scrambler than some quarterbacks in this class, but his steadiness and decision making give him a higher floor.
Leading Indiana to an undefeated, hot start, Mendoza is a tough evaluation for me. I am often left to wonder how much of his success is on him and how much is on Indiana’s system? For now, let’s mark this as an incomplete grade with a lot of positive buzz. We’ll all find out a lot more about Mendoza over the course of the next few weeks. After a program-defining win at Oregon, the Hoosiers are on a collision course to play Ohio State in the Big 10 title game. Can’t wait.
No. 9 | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington | 6’4’’ | 209 lbs
West Coast born-and-raised in Washington, Denzel Boston stayed home with the Huskies after a limited high school recruiting profile. As a three-star recruit in his class, Boston did most of his damage with his 6′4’’ frame and considerable wingspan, showing contested-catch success coupled with downfield speed.
With Washington, Denzel Boston has steadily raised his profile. After a quiet freshman and sophomore season, Boston broke out in 2024 with 63 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. Now in his redshirt-junior season, Boston is the unquestioned top target in Washington’s offense. He consistently shows up in their vertical attack and earns red-zone targets thanks to his considerable size.
From a dynasty angle, Boston is at the start of a bunch of wide receivers who profile as having early WR3/4 production but a potential WR2 ceiling. His lack of elite burst, limited YAC production, and late breakout age concern me. While he’s had dominant games against the likes of Washington State and Maryland this season, he was held in check by Ohio State with only three receptions for 26 yards. Is he more an athletic mismatch than a consistent dominator, and if so, what does that say about his NFL potential?
No. 10 | Antonio Williams | WR | Clemson | 5’11’’ | 190 lbs
One of my favorite players in this class, Antonio Williams is a highlight-in-waiting. A four-star recruit and top-10 prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, Williams was another player who could have attended his choice of colleges. Ultimately, Williams stayed home in South Carolina with the Clemson Tigers. With a high school film flooded with speed, precise route running, and strong hands, expectations were high for Williams when he stepped foot in Memorial Stadium.
Unlike many of the other prospects in this group, Williams lived up to those expectations right away and was an immediate success as a freshman, catching 56 balls in 14 games as a true freshman. After an injury-plagued sophomore season, Williams really broke out last season, scoring 11 touchdowns on 75 receptions. Though he started this season dinged up, Williams has returned to the field with resounding success, filling the box score with at least five receptions in each game. He is Clemson’s most consistent chain-mover in the passing game, and his absence was notable given Clemson’s struggles this season.
Williams might not rack up the huge stats each week, but he is a trustworthy target who will be loved by both his coach and his quarterback. His game reminds me of Tyler Lockett, a player who will be useful and efficient but maybe doesn’t have a WR1 ceiling. Williams will earn his keep in the flex spot of your lineup for the next decade, not winning the week for you, but not losing it, either.
No. 11 | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU | 6’1’’ | 205 lbs
By putting Garrett Nussmeier here at 11, I am somewhat unfairly hedging my bet. I’ve written about Nussmeier extensively in several of our mock drafts throughout the summer and fall. If he ends up being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, I’ll rank him higher. If he doesn’t? Well, for me, he then falls in the bucket of Day 2 quarterbacks like Will Levis and Desmond Ridder — quarterbacks who may stick on an NFL roster for years to come as a backup, but nobody you’d ever want to start in fantasy.
Garrett Nussmeier (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
With a strong pedigree as the son of a former NFL quarterback and current coach, Doug Nussmeier (Cowboys), Nussmeier came out of high school as a four-star quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class. In his time at LSU, Nussmeier has shown flashes of his pro-ready arm talent. He drives deep throws, has good intermediate accuracy, and makes good pre-snap reads. You can tell he has lived in the world of football as a coach’s kid.
However, it’s difficult to shake his dip in production this season, and he’s still battling inconsistency. There are rumors that he’s playing injured, but even that can’t explain it all. He will make a head-shaking turnover in one moment, yet in the next remind you that his talent is unmistakable. Nussmeier fits the “high-upside” mold, where drafting him means you’ve bought into the arm and situation. At this point, however, the warts have become too ugly to write off.
No. 12 | Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama | 6’2’’ | 208 lbs
If this Big Board were an awards show, then Ty Simpson would get the award for Best New Artist. Shooting up the charts, Simpson is one of the hottest names in the NFL Draft community. He entered college as a five-star recruit out of Texas and was considered among the top quarterback prospects in his recruiting class. His high-school tape featured plenty of passing yards, but he also added 1,200 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns in his senior season.
Although the rushing facet of his game has been mostly lacking at Alabama, Ty Simpson has burst onto the scene this season. After three long years of waiting his turn to become The Guy, Simpson has gotten the most out of his extended playing time. With a 70% completion rate and only one interception, it is clear that Simpson has improved his accuracy and decision-making under pressure. He can hit throws to all areas of the field and provides appeal as a quarterback choice for those chasing peak upside.
Can he add some of that rushing talent back into his game at the professional level? Again, if he is a first-round NFL Draft pick, which looks increasingly likely, he lands squarely as a high Round 1 rookie pick in SuperFlex. If I have one takeaway from my own rankings when reflecting on them this offseason, it’s that I likely will have had Nussmeier too high and Simpson too low. Time will tell.
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TIER 3: Flex Targets with Upside
No. 13 | John Mateer | QB | Oklahoma | 6’1’’ | 224 lbs
As a moderately rated three-star recruit, the transfer up in competition from Washington State to Oklahoma has paid off for John Mateer. He has answered a lot of scouts’ questions by stepping up to the SEC, but we’ll find out all we need to know about Mateer over the next two months. Remaining on the Sooners’ schedule? Five games, five ranked SEC opponents – Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU.
Mateer’s underlying football intelligence is clear, and his highlights often include plays where he evades pressure and delivers a mid-field laser. Commonly compared in style and swagger to former Sooner legend Baker Mayfield, I want to see Mateer maintain his level of play throughout the rest of this season before committing. For me, at the moment, he’s in a tier lower than both Nussmeier and Simpson. Can Mateer, with his limited athletic profile and pedigree, keep playing the underdog gunslinger card and translate it into continual success in the NFL? I think he holds onto the ball too long and lacks both the throwing mechanics and arm strength to succeed in the pros. He has another year of eligibility left, but I’m not sure another year in college can fix all of his weaknesses. Still, in the right NFL offense with the right coach, he could be a fun, productive player.
No. 14 | Mark Fletcher, Jr. | RB | Miami | 6’2’’ | 225 lbs
I’ve been playing dynasty fantasy football for a long time, and I’ve been following the NFL and the NFL Draft for even longer. Every year, it seems there is a prospect that the NFL is much higher on that the dynasty community overlooks. A disconnect where that player won’t be mentioned on podcasts or written about in dynasty rookie mock drafts, but when you look at the mocks of professional NFL Draft pundits, there he is! A few years ago, the Buffalo Bills surprised everyone by taking James Cook on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. This season, I believe I have found that player, and his name is Mark Fletcher from the Miami Hurricanes.
Fletcher Jr. was a highly-regarded four-star back coming out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, helping his team to the state championship game. He totaled just shy of 2,000 rushing yards in his senior year, scoring 23 touchdowns along the way. He has excellent one-cut burst and contact balance for his size and has emerged as a three-down threat capable of catching passes. Fletcher Jr. carries a workhorse profile in a rookie class sorely lacking in that skillset. After a hot start, dropping 120 yards on South Florida and 116 yards on Florida, he has cooled off some. However, if you’re looking for a sleeper with an NFL-ready body and skillset in this group, keep this young man’s name in mind.
No. 15 | Elijah Sarratt | WR | Indiana | 6’2’’ | 208 lbs
Straight out of Baltimore, Elijah Sarratt left Charm City to enroll at FCS Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) with solid size but a low profile with average measurables. After his freshman season, Sarratt transferred to James Madison where he blew up. With the Dukes, he finished his sophomore campaign recording 82 receptions for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns. Entering the portal one final time, Sarratt landed in Bloomington, Indiana playing for the Hoosiers. After a strong junior season, Sarratt finds himself as one of the senior team leaders guiding Indiana to an undefeated record through seven games.
Elijah Sarratt (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire)
Despite his nondescript prospect profile, Sarratt has stepped into a breakout role in the Indiana offense. He is converting contested catches, showing up in big games, and is being used all over the field. Sarratt uses his size and catch radius to win physically, and his YAC skills are improving. He is not the fastest burner, but he is smart and reliable. As I’ve mentioned before, I wouldn’t profile Sarratt as a team’s No. 1 receiver, but I think he’d do well in a complementary role. I see Sarratt as a second-round rookie pick with upside to hit low-WR2 value.
No. 16 | Ja’Kobi Lane | WR | USC | 6’4’’ | 200 lbs
At 6’4’’ and 200 lbs, Ja’Kobi Lane has every measurable you want in a big NFL wide receiver. A four-star phenom coming out of high school in Arizona, Lane was named the MVP of the wide receiver group at the 2022 Elite 11 camp. Enrolling at USC, Lane had a quiet freshman season until breaking out in the end-of-year bowl game, scoring two touchdowns en route to a 42-28 win over Louisville.
Having the spotlight shine brightly on you is tough in an offense predicated on spreading the ball around, so Lane’s career is filled with games of just two and three catches to his stat line. Now and then, however, the red carpet is rolled out and Lane takes center stage. In 2024, he caught 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Wisconsin. At the end of that sophomore season, he lit up Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl, scoring three touchdowns on seven receptions for 127 yards. This season, Lane has shown improved consistency and earned more targets. In a recent loss to Notre Dame, Lane caught six passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.
I do have some hesitations with Lane, as the slower, big-body archetype has had trouble translating to consistent NFL success in recent memory. While he wins off the press and attacks the boundary, he sometimes struggles to separate, lacking that extra burst to get away from good defensive backs. He may turn out to be more of a red-zone threat in the pros than a consistent receiver who is useful between the 20s. My best guess is that he is taken later on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 17 | Jonah Coleman | RB | Washington | 5’9’’ | 228 lbs
Jonah Coleman is such a fun watch. In fact, he was the player I listed as my sleeper for my 2024 Big Board. I’ll echo what I said last year — NFL coaches are going to fall in love with this kid. He’s got that grind-it-out mentality that moves piles. His biggest question mark is whether he can overcome the physical size and speed limitations to find fantasy success at the next level.
Starting at Arizona, he followed his head coach, Jedd Fisch, to Washington for his junior season. After rushing for over 1,000 yards as a junior, scoring 10 touchdowns, Coleman came back this season for his senior year. Through seven games, Coleman is on pace to rush for 1,000 yards again, but notably, he has already scored an eye-popping 12 rushing touchdowns.
Coleman, who has never missed a game due to injury, has a good (not great) mix of speed and power. He’s also useful in the receiving game, catching at least 20 passes in each of the past three seasons. I’ve seen a common player comparison of Coleman to Maurice Jones-Drew, and I can see that as his ceiling. However, MJD was such an outlier and athletic freak, running a 4.39 40-yard dash and a 7.08 three-cone drill, and I simply don’t see that speed or agility from Coleman. He has limited big-play potential and doesn’t threaten defenses on the edge, and I worry if that will hold back his fantasy scoring.
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TIER 4: Role Players
No. 18 | Carson Beck | QB | Miami | 6’4’’ | 220 lbs
It wasn’t all that long ago that Carson Beck was considered among the top quarterbacks in this class, if not the top player overall. After transferring from Georgia to Miami, Beck had the Hurricanes at the top of the college football world before a loss to Louisville where Beck uncharacteristically threw four interceptions.
Carson Beck (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire)
As I said before, it’s tough to know quite where to rank the quarterbacks in this group, but if Beck can rebound from that loss and march Miami to the College Football Playoffs, I think he can re-enter first-round NFL Draft conversation. Should that be the case, I’d still rank Beck lower, given his lack of rushing ability. However, with a strong arm and plenty of big game experience, an NFL team in a pass-heavy offense (hello, phone call for Sean McVay?) could unlock Beck’s fantasy scoring potential. He’s not my favorite prospect, but we can’t ignore how the NFL may see these prospects, especially at quarterback. For now, I’ll rank him here at the top of my fourth tier with room to rise if needed.
No. 19 | Nicholas Singleton | RB | Penn State | 6’0’’ | 224 lbs
Speaking of difficult evaluations and holding onto our priors, I present the curious case of Nicholas Singleton. Which Singleton will the NFL be getting? The explosive five-star recruit widely regarded as the top running back in the 2023 class? The back who ran for 1,061 yards as a true freshman against Big 10 defenses? Or, will the NFL get the most recent version of Singleton, who is averaging 3.6 yards per carry this season and has yet to have even so much as a single run of more than 20 yards?
The best of his film shows explosive one-cut ability and rare breakaway speed. The worst shows a lack of vision and contact balance in an offense that has struggled to find any identity this season. I’ll keep Singleton here with rose-colored glasses, as he remains one of the most physically gifted backs in the class.
No. 20 | Jadarian Price | RB | Notre Dame | 5’11’’ | 209 lbs
A new player has entered the game! Everyone knew about Jeremiyah Love coming into this season, but say hello to his teammate Jadarian Price. Like his backfield-mate, Price has a track background, having competed in the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays. Speed is the name of his game. Despite a torn Achilles in 2022, Price looks none the worse for wear this season. He has emerged as a key contributor at Notre Dame. When given touches, he’s showing elusiveness and is not only thriving as a running back but also as a kickoff returner.
What are my concerns to drop him this low? How will he hold up with a bigger workload against bigger athletes? Can he provide anything in the passing game? If he can answer those questions positively, we’re looking at potentially the next Alvin Kamara. If he can’t, we might be looking at the next Ameer Abdullah. Similar to Bhayshul Tuten from last year’s rookie class, Price is exciting at his best, but over the long haul, he has a very wide range of outcomes.
No. 21 | Le’Veon Moss | RB | Texas A&M | 5’11’’ | 209 lbs
Le’Veon Moss is a player I really like in this class, but he comes with a bright neon sign labeling him with the dreaded “if he can only stay healthy” tag. When he’s healthy and at his best, Moss shows everything you want in a three-down running back. He has both inside speed and perimeter bounce. He is good between the tackles, strong in short-yardage situations, and shows enough receiving chops to stay on the field in obvious passing downs. He will never be mistaken as a flashy pick, but he’s likely to deliver positive returns to your dynasty lineup… when he’s healthy.
No. 22 | Kaytron Allen | RB | Penn State | 5’11’’ | 217 lbs
Kaytron Allen produces, plain and simple. Is it exciting? No. Does he have any elite traits? No. Does he have a top-end gear that allows him to run away from NFL defensive backs? No. Allen just puts on his pants and boots, goes to work, and gets the job done. He will likely find himself in a committee backfield in the NFL very much the same way he has shared the backfield at Penn State with Nicholas Singleton. That said, Singleton’s dip this season has allowed Allen to step more into the limelight. Allen’s pass protection is improving, and he has been trusted with more volume. However, he doesn’t bring much in the receiving game.
Drew Allar and Kaytron Allen (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)
Are we looking at another Alfred Morris here with Kaytron Allen? Twenty carries for 100 yards sounds great to an NFL coach, but for fantasy football players, that’s a very middling 10 points. If he’s not the primary back and not getting volume, then what do you do with Allen? He’s a guy I’ll definitely wait to see his landing spot before committing to a reasonable outcome.
No. 23 | Eric Singleton, Jr. | WR | Auburn | 5’10’’ | 180 lbs
Speed, speed, and more speed. The electric Eric Singleton, Jr. exudes speed. Running a 10.32 in the 100-meter dash, Singleton has dangerous top-end speed and acceleration, resembling a young Brandin Cooks. After two seasons at Georgia Tech in a limiting offense, Singleton Jr. transferred to Auburn where they have opened up the playbook and showcased his talents. More playmaker than wide receiver, Singleton’s NFL floor is a gadget guy like Braxton Berrios, but on the right team, he could become a weekly boom-or-bust flex play given his breakaway speed and touchdown-scoring upside.
No. 24 | Germie Bernard | WR | Alabama | 6’1’’ | 205 lbs
How is it that a wide receiver from Alabama can go running underneath the radar? When you line up on the opposite side of the field as sophomore phenom Ryan Williams, that will happen. At any rate, nobody should put Germie Bernard in a corner. A four-star recruit out of Nevada, Bernard bounced around from Michigan State to Washington and finally to Alabama where he has hit his stride over the past two seasons. Bernard has quietly become a trusted target of quarterback Ty Simpson as someone strong in intermediate routes and reliable in contested-catch situations.
What will hold Bernard back in the NFL is a lack of true burner speed. He doesn’t have any explosive traits, but his experience evens that out at the college level in winning via running polished routes. However, can he translate that into success and maintain it against faster, more physical NFL secondaries? I think he’ll be a usable player for NFL teams as their third wide receiver in a heavy passing offense, ala Tyler Boyd on the field for the Bengals at the same time as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but how much does that really help our dynasty lineups?
No. 25 | Kenyon Sadiq | TE | Oregon | 6’3’’ | 245 lbs
To wrap up, I’ll state again for the record that I’m not in love with this class. That opinion is shared when it comes to this group of tight ends. That is why with the final spot, we finally see our first tight end. Kenyon Sadiq entered college as a four-star recruit and a three-sport athlete hailing from Idaho. In his senior year of high school, playing on both sides of the ball, Sadiq caught 78 passes for 1,162 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also ran for two scores while adding two interceptions. As all tight ends seemingly do, Sadiq played basketball and ran track, posting an 11.04 in the 100-meter dash. Clearly, Kenyon Sadiq is a great athlete, but while his receiving upside is clear, does he have enough size and power to stay on the field against NFL defenders?
Kenyon Sadiq (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire)
More so than the other skill positions, a tight end’s value is so dependent on landing spot. If he lands in an offense friendly to tight ends, Sadiq could be one of the more valuable rookies at his position. On the other hand, every year we see Day 2 rookie tight ends get overdrafted only to lose value after quiet rookie seasons. Terrance Ferguson? Elijah Arroyo? Ben Sinnott? Michael Mayer? Luke Musgrave? I’ll wait and see who drafts Sadiq before I decide just how much stock I want to put into his value. In the end, if you force me to pick one tight end from this class to be dynasty-relevant, it’s Sadiq.
Honorable Mentions | 2026 Dynasty Rookie Big Board Rankings
Keith Ensminger’s four honorable mention candidates at each position are Josh Hoover, Desmond Reid, Jaden Greathouse, and Tanner Koziol. Click below for full analysis.
Honorable Mentions for the 2026 NFL Draft Class
Josh Hoover | QB | TCU | 6’2” | 200 lbs
Despite average size and mobility, Josh Hoover just has an it factor that I can’t quantify. He has great touch, timing, and anticipation. He will graduate with nearly 40 starts under his belt, and I think he will be a highly sought-after backup on Day 3 of the NFL Draft with a developmental upside.
Desmond Reid | RB | Pittsburgh | 5’8” | 174 lbs
This year’s Devin Neal. Undersized, but he is such a good college football player. With a dynamic, all-purpose skillset, I think an NFL team is going to take an excited shot on him late in the draft. Imagine Tarik Cohen 2.0, but with more polish as a receiver.
Jaden Greathouse | WR | Notre Dame | 6’1” | 216 lbs
Whatever happened to Jaden Greathouse? So good in the 2025 College Football Playoffs only to find himself on the side of a milk carton this season. I still love Greathouse’s profile, but I have a lot of unanswered questions.
Tanner Koziol | TE | Houston | 6’7” | 237 lbs
Imagine a tight end who is 6’7” but can move like a receiver. That’s Tanner Koziol. His massive frame can dominate defenders. In the right scheme, he can be this year’s Oronde Gadsden II, providing matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
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🧠 Frequently Asked Questions | 2026 NFL Draft Rookie Big Board 4.0
Q1: How is the 2026 rookie class shaping up compared to previous NFL Draft classes?
The 2026 rookie class appears thinner at the top than recent years like 2023 or 2024, but still offers intriguing dynasty potential. Analysts such as Keith Ensminger note depth at quarterback and wide receiver, though this class may lack the elite “can’t-miss” prospects of prior drafts.
Q2: Who is currently ranked No. 1 overall on the 2026 Rookie Big Board?
Dante Moore, quarterback for the Oregon Ducks, holds the top spot thanks to his elite arm talent, accuracy, and leadership. Moore is projected to be a top-3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a foundational SuperFlex asset for dynasty managers.
Q3: What’s the biggest surprise on the 2026 Rookie Big Board update?
LaNorris Sellers’ rise into the top tier of quarterbacks has been the most notable jump. His blend of size, mobility, and improved passing mechanics has made him one of the most talked-about prospects of the fall.
Q4: Which players could move up the 2026 Rookie Big Board before bowl season?
Prospects like Ty Simpson, Jonah Coleman, and Antonio Williams are trending upward and could push for higher rankings depending on their late-season production and team performance.
Q5: How often will this 2026 Rookie Big Board be updated?
Dynasty Nerds will update the Rookie Big Board regularly throughout the college football season—typically every 1–2 weeks—to reflect new scouting data, player performances, and dynasty value shifts.
Q6: How should dynasty managers use this Rookie Big Board for trades and roster moves?
Use the board as an early scouting and valuation tool. Compare these 2026 prospects against current dynasty assets to identify future trade windows, pick value, and draft capital tiers heading into the 2026 offseason.