Pre-Draft Dynasty Rookie Ranks

These are based on my film review of these players, how fantasy-friendly their skillsets are, and where I loosely expect them to be drafted in the NFL Draft. These will be updated post-draft but this is my truth-serum fantasy ranking of the rookie class based on their tape and my opinion of their talent and projected role.

1.01 - Ashton Jeanty - in a tier of his own at the top of this class. You shouldn't trade out of this pick for less than Brian Thomas or Malik Nabers plus something.

Tier Break

1.02 - Travis Hunter - I am firm in my ranking as him at the 1.02, and I think he's closer to Jeanty than anyone else, but the risk of his defensive snaps affecting his offensive statistical output in some way keeps him out of the top tier.

Tier Break

1.03 - Luther Burden - Talent and usage ceiling is so high in real life and fantasy, could become a top-24 redraft pick after his rookie season. Ceiling comps in terms of usage and fantasy production are CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk.

1.04 - Tet McMillan - While I am not as high on the talent as the NFL, he has a very fantasy/PPR friendly skillset and should be peppered with targets early in his career. You're hoping for Drake London, happy with Tee Higgins, and fine with Michael Pittman in terms of his early fantasy production.

1.05 - Cam Ward - In superflex and dynasty, starting QBs hold so much value that they are worth taking early. Ward has a fantasy friendly skillset and a real ceiling. Also the situation is much better than what Bryce Young was dealing with two years ago and what Drake Maye dealt with last year.

1.06 - TreVeyon Henderson - Such a fantasy-friendly skillset and if he is locked into a good situation he could put up big numbers. I do worry about the tackle breaking ability.

1.07 - Omarion Hampton - Seems locked into first round and will receive a meaningful workload as a rookie. Worry about actual talent maintaining long term.

1.08 - Quinshon Judkins - My real life RB2, but doesn't have as fantasy friendly of a game. If he goes somewhere where he can take over an entire backfield, he can be dominant, but may be more of an early down back in a committee that's more situation dependent.

1.09 - Colston Loveland - In a tier of his own in this TE class, has a very fantasy-friendly game, and is seemingly locked into the first round for a weapon-needy team. Could be a top 3 dynasty TE by the end of his rookie year.

1.10 - Matthew Golden - Probably more of a spike week player but a big time talent that will get drafted highly. Somewhere along the Addison - Olave spectrum. In the perfect spot he could have a McConkey type rookie year.

1.11 - Emeka Egbuka - Opposite profile of Golden. Maybe wrongly perceived as low-ceiling. In the right spot he could be Amon-Ra or more likely Jakobi Meyers, but if he goes to a talented room I wonder if he can demand enough volume to put up big fantasy scores with a lower aDoT.

Tier Break

1.12 - Jack Bech - This is the first big bet on talent and tape over current consensus but I think Bech will go to a team that values him highly in the top 64. If he goes to Jacksonville, the Rams, or anyone else in the McVay atmosphere it is wheels up.

2.01 - Kyle Williams - Another bet on talent where I think the draft capital will follow. A lot of teams could use his vertical skillset and he might be set up as the long-term WR1 in certain places. Tennessee, Denver, New England, Seattle would all be excellent landing spots.

2.02 - Jaylin Noel - Similar talent bet as the two players above, one of the last realistic shots at early WR ceiling. Explosive vertical number 2 receiver. Hoping for an Addison/Flowers/McConkey type of trajectory. Another guy I expect to go on early day 2 at the latest.

2.03 - Harold Fannin Jr. - I do not want to miss out on this fantasy ceiling. Late rumors suggest he will go on Day 2 and if that happens the team will have a vision of how they want to use him. He uses his duck-footedness to his advantage to deceive defenders along the route stem and as a ball carrier. Also has excellent ball skills. Very exciting ceiling in the right situation, potential top 5 dynasty TE after his rookie year.

2.04 - Bhayshul Tuten - Explosive playmaker with a higher floor than some may think. He does enough as a pass catcher and protector to stay on the field on all downs and he has the talent to take over a weak backfield. You just hope he is given an opportunity early and the fumble issues were a one-year issue.

2.05 - Dylan Sampson - Pretty similar profile to Tuten, just a little less explosive. I do think he is a more elusive runner though. Believe the talent will rise to the top for the team that thinks he can help them.

2.06 - RJ Harvey - Explosive play-style that can do enough as a receiver right now to stay on the field and provide value, but needs to improve as a pass protector to be fully relied upon. As we saw with Bucky Irving last year, that may not be necessary for him to still produce fantasy points early in his career.

2.07 - Kaleb Johnson - This is one that could move up big after the draft. If he is taken by a zone scheme offense with no other backfield competition, he could put up some numbers, but I don't think his talent elevates him that much above a lot of other backs in the NFL. He does have a 3-down skillset and underrated receiving ability.

2.08 - Tyler Warren - This is probably where I deviate from consensus the most. I just don't see how Warren's game translates as well to the next level, and you might say the same about Fannin who I have ranked 5 spots higher, but I think Fannin does a better job separating as a route runner than Warren and has more translatable YAC skills than falling forward through undersized defenses. Probably won't move up much after the draft even if he goes as high as projected.

2.09 - Shedeur Sanders - Not a big fan of the rest of the QBs in this class, depending on landing spot and draft capital and your team need, could move him up but not going to bet on him without that knowledge.

2.10 - Jaxson Dart - Same thesis as above, don't think the talent elevates him to a long-term starter but QB neediness in dynasty keeps him this high in the rankings.

2.11 - Jalen Milroe - The only other QB who excites me in the class and obviously has a more fantasy-friendly than real life game. If he gets drafted anywhere near the two QBs ahead of him on this list he will shoot past them in the rankings and could become a premium target.

Tier Break

2.12 - Terrance Ferguson - Discount Colston Loveland. Has explosive ability as a receiver and is expected to be drafted in the top 75. Really like his skillset for fantasy.

3.01 - Damien Martinez - Early down/short-yardage skillset that could handle at least that role right away and maybe take work from another back over the course of his rookie deal. Awesome inside runner and missed tackle forcer that should be a relevant NFL player for a long time.

3.02 - DJ Giddens - Electric forced missed tackle ability as a ball-carrier but some severe lapses in the pass game that I think limit his early production. Depending on landing spot and expected role could be a big riser, but wouldn't fall much below this. If he can develop awareness in the pass game he could become a solid 3-down back and be one of the steals of this class.

3.03 - Jalen Royals - Maybe viewed more as a developmental project by the NFL but still has a fantasy friendly skillset and I like the tape and traits enough to bet on him. A YAC and vertical threat that can win on slants and routes from the slot. High ceiling, low floor player but so is everyone.

3.04 - Cam Skattebo - Count me in the NFL's camp with this one. Don't think his play-style will translate to the next level. You may be able to get him here after the draft if he falls as expected, and I would be interested around this price.

3.05 - Tre Harris - A very situation dependent player who I don't want to take many swings on until I know where he ends up. Feel like he is more likely Josh Palmer or Cedric Tillman than Courtland Sutton or Michael Thomas.

3.06 - Jayden Higgins - Same profile as Tre Harris, but maybe more likely to get good draft capital. I view him similarly to Michael Wilson coming out a few years ago, and if he goes to a better passing QB maybe he could put up better numbers, but I don't think he has the talent to be a difference making outside receiver which makes his path to fantasy production narrower.

Tier Break

3.07 - Jacorey Croskey-Merritt - Complete unknown in terms of draft capital, but has a very well-rounded skillset and could take over a backfield early in the right spot. Draft will say a lot about early expectations, but he will be a target regardless.

3.08 - Tahj Brooks - Another unknown in terms of draft capital, but an extremely well-rounded and reliable skillset who could handle a bellcow workload if ever given the chance. A guy I want to take a chance on sticking around the league and becoming a useful fantasy player.

3.09 - Jordan James - Discount Judkins in terms of the tape in this class. I think he can become the power back in a committee and if ever in the right situation throughout his career could produce fantasy worthy scores. Very reliable, high success-rate type of runner.

3.10 - Elijah Arroyo - A highly athletic vertical threat that has the traits to develop into a dangerous receiving weapon. Might take some time like it usually does at TE, but this is a skillset worth betting on for development and fantasy production.

3.11 - Elijhah Badger - A vertical threat with great ball skills, YAC ability, and some under appreciated route running and press-beating abilities. Could develop into a legit fantasy option ala Rashid Shaheed.

3.12 - Konata Mumpfield - A personal favorite in this WR class, has excellent route technique to set up defenders in the slot and when working against off coverage and big time spectacular and in traffic catch ability. Very fun player who I hope gets a chance to compete for a possession slot role. Potentially discount Egbuka in this class.

Tier Break

Favorite Late Round Dart Throws

QB - Dillon Gabriel, Kyle McCord, Will Howard

RB - Devin Neal, Jaydon Blue, Jarquez Hunter, Raheim Sanders

WR - Jaylin Lane, Tez Johnson, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Kobe Hudson

TE - Orande Gadsden