Most rookie dynasty fantasy football drafts are still at least a month away. Training camps don’t even begin around the league for another couple weeks.
But it’s not too early to begin studying the rookie class. One of the best ways to do that is follow the trends.
Fantasy managers would rather not draft a rookie who is at his peak in terms of draft stock. That could lead to a overdrafting situation. Fantasy managers should also be wary of adding any player dropping in draft rankings during August.
But knowing how each player has risen, fallen or stayed the same on rookie rankings throughout the summer can be a great way of determining what kind of value each rookie will provide.
Check out the latest rookie dynasty football rankings from Fantasy Pros below:
Rank |
Player |
Position |
---|---|---|
1 |
Ashton Jeanty (LV) |
RB1 |
2 |
Omarion Hampton (LAC) |
RB2 |
3 |
Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) |
WR1 |
4 |
Travis Hunter (JAC) |
WR2 |
5 |
TreVeyon Henderson (NE) |
RB3 |
6 |
Quinshon Judkins (CLE) |
RB4 |
7 |
Emeka Egbuka (TB) |
WR3 |
8 |
Colston Loveland (CHI) |
TE1 |
9 |
Tyler Warren (IND) |
TE2 |
10 |
Kaleb Johnson (PIT) |
RB5 |
11 |
RJ Harvey (DEN) |
RB6 |
12 |
Matthew Golden (GB) |
WR4 |
13 |
Luther Burden III (CHI) |
WR5 |
14 |
Jayden Higgins (HOU) |
WR6 |
15 |
Cameron Ward (TEN) |
QB1 |
16 |
Tre Harris (LAC) |
WR7 |
17 |
Cam Skattebo (NYG) |
RB7 |
18 |
Bhayshul Tuten (JAC) |
RB8 |
19 |
Jaylin Noel (HOU) |
WR8 |
20 |
Jack Bech (LV) |
WR9 |
21 |
Kyle Williams (NE) |
WR10 |
22 |
Jaxson Dart (NYG) |
QB2 |
23 |
Mason Taylor (NYJ) |
TE3 |
24 |
Jaydon Blue (DAL) |
RB9 |
25 |
Elijah Arroyo (SEA) |
TE4 |
26 |
Terrance Ferguson (LAR) |
TE5 |
27 |
Elic Ayomanor (TEN) |
WR11 |
28 |
Dylan Sampson (CLE) |
RB10 |
29 |
Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) |
TE6 |
30 |
Jalen Royals (KC) |
WR12 |
31 |
Jarquez Hunter (LAR) |
RB11 |
32 |
Tyler Shough (NO) |
QB3 |
33 |
Jalen Milroe (SEA) |
QB4 |
34 |
DJ Giddens (IND) |
RB12 |
35 |
Pat Bryant (DEN) |
WR13 |
36 |
Devin Neal (NO) |
RB13 |
37 |
Jordan James (SF) |
RB14 |
38 |
Trevor Etienne (CAR) |
RB15 |
39 |
Woody Marks (HOU) |
RB16 |
40 |
Tory Horton (SEA) |
WR14 |
41 |
Isaac TeSlaa (DET) |
WR15 |
42 |
Brashard Smith (KC) |
RB17 |
43 |
Tahj Brooks (CIN) |
RB18 |
44 |
Shedeur Sanders (CLE) |
QB5 |
45 |
Ollie Gordon II (MIA) |
RB19 |
46 |
Kyle Monangai (CHI) |
RB20 |
47 |
Tai Felton (MIN) |
WR16 |
48 |
Damien Martinez (SEA) |
RB21 |
49 |
Savion Williams (GB) |
WR17 |
50 |
Oronde Godsden II (LAC) |
TE7 |
There are two things that stick out like a sore thumb on the long list. The first thing is where Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has fallen.
Sanders is a headline practically no matter what he does. But like he did in the real draft, Sanders has dropped on fantasy football rookie rankings.
In March, Sanders was the QB2 in the upcoming class and No. 17 overall rookie. On July 10, he now sits behind fellow quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe. Overall, Sanders has fallen all the way to No. 44.
Meanwhile, Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue is on the rise. He’s a top 10 rookie running back entering training camp and the No. 24 rookie overall according to Fantasy Pros. Blue could be a late second-round pick in 12-team leagues.
For a further breakdown, let’s take a look at rookie tiers.
Rank |
Player |
Position |
---|---|---|
1 |
Ashton Jeanty |
RB1 |
2 |
Omarion Hampton |
RB2 |
3 |
Tetairoa McMillan |
WR1 |
4 |
Travis Hunter |
WR2 |
These are the rookies who could be truly special. That doesn’t mean they won’t come without risk. Hunter’s ability to play on both offense and defense could be a curse for his fantasy value.
But in this class, these four players have the best chance of being major pieces on a fantasy football championship roster.
Rank |
Player |
Position |
---|---|---|
5 |
TreVeyon Henderson |
RB3 |
6 |
Quinshon Judkins |
RB4 |
7 |
Emeka Egbuka |
WR3 |
8 |
Colston Loveland |
TE1 |
9 |
Tyler Warren |
TE2 |
10 |
Kaleb Johnson |
RB5 |
It’s not too late for one of these players to slip into the top tier if they have a terrific preseason. But it appears as though these six prospects are best as mid-to-late first-round picks.
Fantasy managers in need of a tight end can take their pick of either Loveland and Warren late in the top 10. But fantasy managers who need a quarterback should keep waiting if they want to maximize their draft value.
Rank |
Player |
Position |
---|---|---|
11 |
RJ Harvey |
RB6 |
12 |
Matthew Golden |
WR4 |
13 |
Luther Golden III |
WR5 |
14 |
Jayden Higgins |
WR6 |
15 |
Cameron Ward |
QB1 |
The beginning of the second round in the NFL draft has prospects who often have first-round talent but possess more risk. Fantasy rookie drafts aren’t much different.
These players could be first-round picks in dynasty mock drafts by the end of the preseason. Some of them were that earlier this spring.
But question marks around them could cause guys such as Golden and Burden to be top picks in round two. The second round is also where QB1 Cameron Ward should come off the board.
Rank |
Player |
Position |
---|---|---|
16 |
Tre Harris |
WR7 |
17 |
Cam Skattebo |
RB7 |
18 |
Bhayshul Tuten |
RB8 |
19 |
Jaylin Noel |
WR8 |
20 |
Jack Bech |
WR9 |
21 |
Kyle Williams |
WR10 |
22 |
Jaxson Dart |
QB2 |
23 |
Mason Taylor |
TE3 |
24 |
Jaydon Blue |
RB9 |
The foundation of a dynasty team is formed in the second round and later. This fourth tier will help fantasy managers lay that foundation this year.
Managers can find quality running back and wide receiver depth with these prospects. The biggest name to keep an eye on is Blue, who is quickly on the rise.
Fantasy managers who want to target a quarterback or tight end but don’t want to spend high draft capital on the positions could find quality additions with Dart and Taylor in this tier as well.