“Way Too Early” 2026 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

To avoid player fatigue with the 2025 dynasty rookie class, I decided to mix it up and try my hand at a 2026 dynasty rookie mock draft. I think it’s good practice in dynasty to look ahead to future draft classes and see where the strengths and weaknesses lie, as this will give us a better idea of how to value those future rookie picks. 

While we’re still a full year out, the 2026 class appears disappointing from every position except for maybe quarterback. For simplicity, if a player is draft-eligible in 2026 and is the best value on the board, I’m including them in this draft. Just keep in mind that with these lucrative NIL deals, some of these guys may elect to stay until 2027, assuming they have eligibility. 

This draft will be based on a Superflex, PPR, and Tight End Premium format. 

1.01 – Arch Manning (QB – Texas)

The general consensus is that Arch is a 2027 prospect, not 2026. He’s making a killing in college with NIL (not that he needs it), and this coming season will be his first full season as a starter. If he does declare, however, I think he’ll be the favorite to go 1.01 in rookie drafts and first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arch has the size, rushing upside, and bloodlines to be a star. 

1.02 – LaNorris Sellers (QB – South Carolina)

I’ve said this before – Sellers reminds me of a young Cam Newton. He’s a Konami Code quarterback with excellent arm strength and is built like a linebacker. Sellers impressed as a redshirt freshman last year and has the opportunity to establish himself as a top prospect in the country in 2025. 

1.03 – Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)

Love is coming off a breakout sophomore season where he amassed over 1,300 scrimmage yards and 19 touchdowns for Notre Dame. Even more impressive, he posted these numbers alongside another potential NFL running back, Jadarian Price. Love is built more like a wide receiver but displays excellent strength and contact balance as a rusher. He’s a reliable pass catcher, extremely versatile, and will be a first-round NFL lock if he takes another step forward in 2025. 

1.04 – Nicholas Singleton (RB – Penn State)

Singleton elected to stay in Happy Valley for one final season, as did his running mate Kaytron Allen and QB Drew Allar. Singleton broke out as a true freshman, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. He saw his devy stock drop following a rough sophomore campaign where he averaged just 4.4 YPA, but he bounced back nicely in 2024. What I appreciate most about Singleton’s game is how he’s developed into one of the best pass-catching RBs in the country.

1.05 – Garrett Nussmeier (QB – LSU)

Many thought the LSU gunslinger would declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, given how weak the quarterback class is. I think he made the right decision to stay one more season. Nuss has the skill set to be an NFL starter one day, but not yet. He has good size and mobility and can throw the football to all levels with accuracy and velocity. However, he needs to improve his footwork, especially under pressure, and he struggled against the top teams in 2024. Nussmeier threw multiple interceptions against Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama. With some further refinement, he could become a Round 1 NFL pick. 

1.06 – Drew Allar (QB – Penn State)

You have to wonder what kind of numbers Allar would put up in a different offensive scheme with multiple top receivers. While the raw numbers don’t stand out as particularly impressive, Allar has all the physical tools of an NFL quarterback. He’s more of your pocket quarterback but has the mobility to elude pressure. Allar has an ideal frame, sufficient arm strength, and rarely makes unforced errors. Allar may not have league-winning upside in dynasty, but I think he’s more likely than not to earn a starting role.

1.07 – Carnell Tate (QB – Ohio State)

Playing at Wide Receiver U, Carnell Tate has had to compete for targets alongside some elite receivers, including Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jeremiah Smith. Despite the elite competition, Tate managed to post 52 receptions, 733 yards, and four touchdowns as a true sophomore this past season. With Egbuka heading to the NFL, Tate has the chance to surpass 1k receiving yards in 2025. He won’t have the best raw numbers of the draft class, but I think he’ll end up being the most talented x receiver of the bunch. 

1.08 – Sam Leavitt (QB – Arizona State)

Leavitt was one of the biggest surprises in 2025, helping to lead the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship as a redshirt freshman. He’s one of the most gifted athletes in the nation and thrives when a play breaks down, using his legs and improvisation skills to make big plays. Ultimately, I expect Leavitt to declare in 2027, but time will tell. 

1.09 – Evan Stewart (WR – Oregon)

Evan Stewart was my WR1 of the 2025 class following his true freshman season at Texas A&M, but a lack of production in 2023 and 2024 has forced me to temper my expectations. While Stewart has failed to meet expectations from a production perspective, his athleticism and ball skills still pop on film. He’s a dynamic, twitchy route runner with highlight-play ability, comparable to Jets WR Garrett Wilson. He’s set up for a monster 2025 season to help revive his dynasty, devy, and NFL stock.  

1.10 – Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)

Similar to teammate Sam Leavitt, Jordyn Tyson was not a name being discussed in devy circles this time last year. A big redshirt sophomore season changed that, as Tyson finished with over 1,100 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Injuries derailed the early part of Tyson’s career, but he showed us what he can do when healthy in 2024. Tyson can play out wide or in the slot, making him one of the more versatile receiving options in this class. 

1.11 – Justice Haynes (RB – Michigan)

Justice Haynes is still waiting for his true breakout, sharing the backfield with Jam Miller this past season at Alabama. Transferring to Michigan projects to be an excellent move for Haynes, as Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards are headed to the NFL. Haynes has the opportunity to show us what he can do with a backfield to himself. I expect we could see 1,500+ yards and 10+ touchdowns next season. 

1.12 – Darius Taylor (RB – Minnesota)

Most people are still sleeping on Darius Taylor, I assume, because he doesn’t play for a blue blood program. Taylor posted over 1,300 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns as a true sophomore in 2024 and is going in the first round of CFF redraft leagues for 2025. Taylor’s calling card is his receiving upside, ranking 4th in targets and 3rd in receptions amongst FBS running backs in 2024. He’s the perfect back for PPR formats if he lands in the right situation. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope you got some valuable information you can use for your fantasy team! If you’d like additional insight into Dynasty Football news and analysis, please follow me on Twitter at @jim_DFF. Until next time, keep grinding out there, DFF family! #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding