The dynasty community has declared this class a disappointment before a single snap has been played. That’s not analysis. That’s an opportunity.
It’s funny how fantasy players — mainly dynasty players — treat NFL players. In redraft leagues, values move like day traders. One week, even one day, a player can be the hottest thing on the market, but the manager can’t wait to sell high. That same manager will hold onto an unproductive sleeper with patience, knowing that the player’s value will only increase and could be a potential league winner — a 10-bagger.
Dynasty players are some of the most patient investors you’ll ever meet. I’m in leagues with managers who still roster players like Justin Fields (yours truly), Skyy Moore, Justice Hill, and Noah Fant. Classic bag holders. Roster cloggers. Capital is tied up in assets that stopped generating returns a long time ago.
We’re quick to judge when a player doesn’t fit a scheme, joins a crowded backfield, lands firmly behind a star receiver in a low-volume passing offense, or was a projected Day 1 pick who slipped to Day 3. And I get it — landing spots matter, draft capital matters. But we need to remind ourselves of a few things.
First, the teams investing in these players are billion-dollar organizations run by some of the most educated talent evaluators in the world. Are they always right? No. Are we smarter than NFL scouts and front offices? Probably not. Second, we don’t score fantasy points until September. Should we give up on players who haven’t played a single down of NFL football? And third — a term that applies equally to fantasy football and the stock market:
“It’s better to be a year early than a year late.”
That phrase fits the 2026 rookie class perfectly. Let’s break it down.
THE BLUE CHIP
Jeremiyah Love (RB – ARI) — $AMZN
Love was regarded as the best player in the entire class — and the best running back in the class without question. After getting drafted third overall by the Arizona Cardinals, some fantasy managers are getting Ashton Jeanty PTSD. The situations are similar on
the surface, but not really. The Raiders were objectively one of the worst rosters in football last year. The Cardinals have rebuilt their offensive line, improved their coaching staff, and made a calculated decision at quarterback this offseason.
Love should be the 1.01 in rookie drafts regardless of format. Like Amazon, whether you get him at his lowest price in 2026 or buy in mid-season, he is the type of investment that will only increase over the next five years. He is a Blue Chip Stock.
THE UNDERVALUED GROWTH STOCK
Fernando Mendoza (QB – LV) — $NVDA
The Heisman Trophy winner, college football champion, and number one overall pick has the resume you build a franchise around. Fantasy managers aren’t particularly excited about his situation — but the Raiders aren’t nearly as bad as they were in 2025. Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers are legitimate weapons, and reports indicate that Mendoza will be eased into the offense and protected early on.
In Superflex leagues, I would invest a top-three pick in Mendoza right now. He’s the type of asset you buy before the market catches up — and it will. Like NVIDIA in 2019, the signals are there for anyone paying attention. He is an Undervalued Growth Stock.
THE ASYMMETRIC RISK PLAY
Jordyn Tyson (WR – NO) — $TSLA
Every dynasty podcast I listened to and every mock draft I watched had Tyson as the player with the “it factor,” but his injury history was a real concern. The Saints liked him enough to use a top 10 pick on him anyway, and that has to mean something. It says a lot about how they feel about Tyson as a player. It says even more about how little they’re actually worried about his injury history.
New Orleans has Tyler Shough at quarterback, Travis Etienne in the backfield, and Chris Olave at receiver — but Olave and the Saints are currently in a contract standoff. There’s a realistic path to Tyson becoming the Saints’ WR1 as early as 2027. In rookie drafts, I’m comfortable using picks six through 12 on Tyson — and I have a draft coming up where I’m picking fourth and considering him there. Like Tesla, the uncertainty is exactly what’s causing people to pass. The reward for those willing to hold is much greater. He is an Asymmetric Risk Play.
THE REST OF THE PORTFOLIO
Don’t sleep on these depth plays.
Those aren’t the only names worth investing in from this class. A diversified Dynasty portfolio doesn’t just hold blue chips. Smart managers round out their rosters with growth plays and asymmetric bets at prices that won’t last. Jadarian Price, KC Concepcion, and Nick Singleton all have Dynasty upside; the current market is undervalued.
The window to buy this class is open right now — before the first preseason snap, before the Week 3 breakout, before the rest of the market catches up. In Dynasty, similar to investing, the early money is the smart money.
With 20 years of fantasy experience, Paul has learned two things the hard way — drafting at ADP keeps you average, and Superflex managers are overpaying for quarterbacks. Paul writes Dynasty Fantasy Football content to help managers find the edge everyone else is missing and actually win their leagues. Join the #DFFArmy and gain the edge fantasy managers are looking for. Follow him on Twitter @Paul_Ryan15. #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding #AlwaysBeScouting
