Fantasy football drafts are heating up, and NFL fans are maneuvering to land the biggest stars. Here at NFL Mocks, we're doing things a little differently by building our team entirely with rookies.
That's right, we're not focusing our attention on big-hitting fantasy stars like Jahmyr Gibbs, Ja'Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. We're locked in on building an entire roster with players from the 2026 NFL Draft class.
For this draft, we're basing our selections strictly on 2026 redraft value. That means immediate opportunity, projected workload and fantasy upside will carry more weight than long-term potential as we build the ultimate all-rookie fantasy team.
2026 NFL all-rookie fantasy football draft
Round 1: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Why I’m drafting him: The bigger question is why wouldn’t I draft Jeremiyah Love? Although not yet proven like fantasy stars Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has a big opportunity in the Arizona Cardinals offense to emerge as a dual-threat weapon. His combination of power, speed and acceleration as a runner, along with his pass-catching ability and elusiveness in the open field, should translate into plenty of fantasy points throughout the season.
With the opportunity to make an impact both on the ground and through the air, Love has the upside to quickly establish himself as an every-week fantasy starter.
Fantasy outlook: RB1
Round 2: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Why I’m drafting him: The 49ers rookie sparkled in the preseason, showing off his vertical speed and physicality with the ball in his hands. In an offense featuring Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, one might wonder whether there will be enough targets to go around. But Stribling's role as the primary slot receiver should give him plenty of opportunities to become a featured component of the offense.
His early chemistry with Brock Purdy could be just the start of something big in the Bay Area.
Fantasy outlook: WR3 with WR2 upside
Round 3: Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans
Why I’m drafting him: Unlike De’Zhaun Stribling, Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate had a quiet preseason. Don’t fret, fantasy owners. The explosive attributes of the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft should be harmonic in the Music City. He’ll be featured in an offense with two veteran receivers in Calvin Ridley and Wan’Dale Robinson, so there won’t be too much pressure on him to grab that WR1 role right away. Still, his chemistry with Cam Ward should lead to fantasy points, especially in Brian Daboll’s system.
Tate’s route-running and ability to track the deep ball should lead to big-play opportunities, particularly with Ward’s ability to extend plays and deliver the ball downfield off-script.
Fantasy outlook: WR2 with WR1 upside
Building around upside and opportunity
Round 4: Eli Raridon, TE, New England Patriots
Why I’m drafting him: Why take a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft this high in a fantasy draft? Potential and opportunity. With A.J. Brown as the clear top receiver in New England, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will have his alpha dog on offense. As defenses focus on Brown and other weapons like Romeo Doubs and tight end Hunter Henry, the field could open for Eli Raridon to unleash his talent.
With his Rob Gronkowski-type size and early chemistry with Maye, there’s potential for Raridon to have the type of rookie impact Sam LaPorta made in his first NFL season. He may not have as many catches, but as a target down the seam and a red-zone threat, Raridon just might be this year’s fantasy surprise.
Fantasy outlook: TE2 with TE1 upside
Round 5: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Why I’m drafting him: While Fernando Mendoza will not start the 2026 NFL season under center, he should get his opportunity at some point. Given Kirk Cousins’ track record over the past two seasons of declining production and dealing with injuries, there’s a good chance Mendoza could be the starter in Vegas by midseason, if not sooner. Because there are no rookie quarterbacks starting Week 1, we have to go with the quarterback who has the best opportunity to see meaningful action in 2026.
As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza is the best bet. So, we’re taking him here in hopes that the payoff comes sooner rather than later.
Fantasy outlook: QB2 upside once starting
Round 6: Emmett Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Why I’m drafting him: Coming off an eye-opening preseason, the Kansas City Chiefs rookie looks like the mid-round steal they needed at the position. With Kenneth Walker III signed as the team’s RB1, Johnson will still get his opportunities. In Andy Reid’s system, Johnson’s third-down versatility is what makes him an intriguing fantasy option as a rookie.
With Patrick Mahomes back under center and Johnson’s noted development in pass protection, the Nebraska product could excel in the passing game while also utilizing his vision and poise as a runner. He doesn’t need to overtake Walker to provide fantasy value, but if his role grows throughout the season, Johnson could become one of the biggest rookie steals in fantasy football.
Fantasy outlook: RB2 with FLEX upside
Finding fantasy value in the later rounds
Round 7: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, New York Jets
Why I’m drafting him: Kenyon Sadiq was drafted higher than Raridon and was the hands-down top tight end entering the 2026 NFL Draft. With his combination of size and athleticism, he is an intriguing fantasy option, especially with Geno Smith at quarterback. Sadiq’s ability to create after the catch could make him a reliable target for Smith and a dangerous weapon in the Jets’ offense.
A hernia injury limited Sadiq throughout the summer, but once he regains his strength and settles into the offense, he has the talent to emerge as a playmaker who gives both the Jets and fantasy owners plenty of reasons to get excited. With Raridon already on our roster, we can afford to be patient and bet on Sadiq’s upside later in the season.
Fantasy outlook: TE2 with TE1 upside
Round 8: Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Why I’m drafting him: Despite a tough summer dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, Makai Lemon is one of those rookies with tremendous upside who might not get going right away. The Eagles have enough playmakers at wide receiver to allow Lemon to ease into his role rather than immediately relying on him to produce.
At USC, Lemon was a competitive route runner with the playmaking ability that earned him the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver. With DeVonta Smith commanding attention on the outside, Lemon has an opportunity to find his niche and eventually emerge as another dangerous weapon in the Eagles’ offense.
It may take some time, but Lemon’s talent makes him exactly the type of upside receiver worth stashing on a fantasy roster.
Fantasy outlook: WR3 with WR2 upside
Round 9: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Why I’m drafting him: The rookie out of Arkansas earned his snaps and opportunity following a dynamic preseason performance with the Raiders. Washington rushed for 168 yards on just 23 carries, showcasing the combination of size, speed and explosiveness that could earn him a role in the offense.
With Ashton Jeanty working his way back from an ankle injury, Klint Kubiak could have an opportunity to utilize a running back tandem that fits perfectly within his outside-zone rushing attack.
Washington has the makings of a fantasy breakout candidate as the season moves forward, particularly if his preseason performance translates into a consistent role behind Jeanty.
Fantasy outlook: RB3 with FLEX upside
Round 10: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Why I’m drafting him: Another third-round pick selected to this all-rookie fantasy team, the Baltimore Ravens rookie has a big opportunity to make some noise catching the ball from Lamar Jackson. Another big receiver who shined in training camp, Ja’Kobi Lane has the attention of his quarterback, who has raved about the chemistry he has developed with the rookie.
As a boundary receiver, Lane should be much more than a training camp and preseason storyline. He has the upside and ability to emerge as a sleeper in fantasy leagues as the season moves forward.
He certainly is ours.
Fantasy outlook: WR3 with FLEX upside
Our final 2026 all-rookie fantasy roster
QB: Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders
RB: Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
RB: Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
RB: Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders
WR: De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers
WR: Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans
WR: Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles
WR: Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens
TE: Eli Raridon, New England Patriots
TE: Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets
Best player: Jeremiyah Love
Highest WR upside: Carnell Tate
Best value: Emmett Johnson
Biggest sleeper: Ja’Kobi Lane
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