Fantasy Football Rookie Projections: How will 2026 NFL Draft first-round picks perform for your team?
Yahoo's Justin Boone reveals his rookie projections every fantasy-relevant selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. You can also read his detailed reaction to every fantasy-relevant selection on Thursday.
QuarterbackFernando Mendoza, QB, Raiders (1st overall)2026 projection (13 starts):2,743 passing yards, 18 TDs, 14 INTs, 251 rushing yards, TD
Fantasy snapshot: Mendoza has proven himself to be a good leader with excellent on-field awareness who displays the toughness needed to overcome adversity during games. He has a strong arm to make any throw, but it's his touch passing that stands out.
Though the 22-year-old has enough speed to scramble his way out of trouble and pick up yards on the ground, he's not fast enough to be a meaningful runner in the pros.
He profiles as a long-term NFL starter, who will need the right environment around him to become a star.
Though veteran Kirk Cousins will do his best to hold him off, Mendoza will be starting sooner rather than later. The Heisman Trophy winner has the ability to return fantasy QB2 value in his starts as a rookie, with a chance to reach low-end QB1 production in future years.
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Ty Simpson, QB, Rams (13th overall)2026 projection:Backup to Matthew Stafford
Fantasy snapshot: Consider me skeptical that Simpson will emerge as a quality option in the NFL. He also doesn't have the speed required to be a true rushing threat, which is another limiting factor for his fantasy potential.
This gives L.A. some insurance in case the 38-year-old Stafford, who has dealt with back issues, gets injured or misses time for any reason. While that doesn't change Stafford's fantasy outlook, it does provide a succession plan that will help Puka Nacua's dynasty stock in the long run.
However, this all comes down to whether Simpson can develop into a competent starter and I will continue to have doubts about that until he shows me otherwise.
Running backJeremiyah Love, Cardinals (3rd overall)2026 projection (15 starts):247 carries, 1,072 rushing yards, 6 TDs, 45 receptions, 339 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Fantasy snapshot: Love has the size, skill and athleticism to be a three-down workhorse at the next level.
The 20-year-old displays good vision and patience, letting blocks develop in front of him, while also having the breakaway straight line speed necessary to create big plays. He's also a comfortable pass-catcher (56 receptions over the last two seasons) who's dangerous out in space.
The biggest loser in this situation is Tyler Allgeier, who signed with the team in free agency. Allgeier was escaping the shadow of Bijan Robinson in Atlanta and now finds himself stuck behind another top prospect in Love, keeping him in the backup RB mix for the foreseeable future.
Operating behind an elite Notre Dame offensive line certainly helped his production, but Love is a set-it-and-forget-it fantasy RB1 with a path to being a high-end producer.
Jadarian Price, Seahawks (32nd overall)2026 projection (15 starts):207 carries, 889 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 19 receptions, 127 receiving yards
Fantasy snapshot: Price lacks a complete resume and the kind of production you normally want to see from an incoming rookie back, because he played behind Love at Notre Dame. We also have to factor in the efficiency boost that came from their dominant offensive line.
Even so, it's hard not to like Price's physical style, which often led to broken tackles and at least a few extra yards on most plays. Though he wasn't asked to be a pass-catcher very often, his hands seem up to the task of being used in that area moving forward.
Wide ReceiverCarnell Tate, Titans (4th overall)The biggest fantasy winners and losers from Round 1
- Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) April 24, 2026
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2026 projection (16 starts):72 receptions, 1,002 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Fantasy snapshot: Tate is a more traditional big-bodied X-receiver, who also overcomes a lack of elite speed with a variety of high-level traits.
The 21-year-old is a smooth athlete with good awareness, who carves up defenses with strong hands, quality route running and excellent contested catch ability. He does a great job tracking the ball, high-pointing passes and using his body to box out defenders.
His college production wasn't as massive as you might expect, due to the level of target competition at Ohio State and some durability issues. While he would be wise to add some bulk to his frame, Tate has all the tools to become a difference-maker in the NFL.
With the potential volume and role Tate will command, he will immediately enter the low-end WR2 conversation for fantasy.
Jordyn Tyson, Saints (8th overall)2026 projection (15 starts):66 receptions, 897 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Fantasy snapshot: Tyson is a versatile weapon who separates well and is a smooth route runner. He displayed a knack for making clutch plays in college and will be a reliable target for his next quarterback thanks to a big catch radius.
Unfortunately for Tyson, he doesn't end up in an offense where he's the clear No. 1 option, but there's plenty of opportunity in New Orleans given the fairly bare depth chart behind Chris Olave.
Consider Tyson a fantasy WR3/flex option who can push for more as he gets comfortable in the Saints' attack.
Makai Lemon, Eagles (20th overall)2026 projection (16 starts):71 receptions, 902 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Fantasy snapshot: Lemon is a scrappy playmaker who's dangerous all over the field, with his best work coming in the short to intermediate range.
His contested catch ability and toughness are notable given his 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame. He's also quick and decisive with the ball in his hands, shaking defenders en route to extra yards.
While he lacks elite speed, he moves very well and will always find ways to beat the defense he's facing. The slot is where he does his best work, but he can be effective all over the formation.
Fantasy managers should be excited about this landing spot - which is another signal A.J. Brown will be dealt - while aggressively targeting Lemon in redraft as a WR3 with upside and dynasty as a top-15 wideout.
KC Concepcion, Browns (24th overall)2026 projection (16 starts):55 receptions, 629 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Fantasy snapshot: Concepcion is a high-end athlete who's a versatile and dynamic playmaker.While the 21-year-old might not have lightning-fast straight-line speed, he can still threaten deep and is tricky to deal with in tight spaces.
His willingness to square up and take on a defender is worth highlighting given his size at 6-foot, 196 pounds. He plays like a more physical Jordan Addison and offers a much higher ceiling than the Vikings' wideout.
If Todd Monken can inject some life into this passing attack and get at least average quarterback play out of Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, Concepcion could be a value in all formats.
Sadly, I'm not sure that level of hope is enough to make me invest in Concepcion this year. Dynasty is another story though. He should go off the board in the middle of the first round in rookie drafts, en route to emerging as the No. 1 receiver in his offense (even if that offense is the Browns).
Omar Cooper Jr., Jets (30th)2026 projection (16 starts):39 receptions, 461 receiving yards, 3 TDs
Fantasy snapshot: Cooper stands out as a versatile receiver who has great contact balance and a big catch radius for his size.He fights for every yard after his receptions, pushing off and evading defenders along the way.
The 22-year-old is also a smooth mover and powerful ball carrier. While it's a lofty high-end comparison, his playing style has shades of Deebo Samuel Sr. with a pinch of Odell Beckham Jr.
For the time being, I'm bumping Cooper down the rankings into more of a boom-or-bust flex range for redraft, while keeping a candle lit for his dynasty outlook as a late-first-round rookie pick.
Tight EndKenyon Sadiq, Jets (16th overall)2026 projection (16 starts):42 receptions, 485 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Fantasy snapshot: While Geno Smith will provide an upgrade at quarterback, Sadiq will be competing for targets with Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Omar Cooper Jr., Adonai Mitchell and last year's second-round pick Mason Taylor (who is also a tight end!).
Perhaps Sadiq can overcome the hand he's been dealt, but this is an unfortunate Year 1 scenario for a promising player.