5 Rookies to Target in Fantasy Football in 2026

Rookies to Target in Summary

• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Cardinals
• Jadarian Price, RB, Seahawks
• Carnell Tate, WR, Titans
• Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints
• Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles

Rookies can be some of the most exciting players to target in fantasy football drafts. While first-year players often come with more uncertainty than established veterans, that risk can also create value — especially when a talented rookie steps immediately into a meaningful role.

The key is identifying rookies who have the combination of talent, opportunity, and a realistic path to consistent touches or targets.

With that in mind, here are some of the top fantasy football rookies to target in 2026 drafts.

All ADP references come from FantasyPros' half-PPR ADP, and ADP may change after this article is published.

Rookies to Target in Fantasy Football

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Cardinals

ADP: 26th overall (RB13)

Jeremiyah Love has the talent and opportunity to make an immediate fantasy impact after the Arizona Cardinals selected him third overall.

He was spectacular at Notre Dame in 2025, rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on just 199 carries while adding 27 catches for 280 yards and three more scores.

That combination of explosiveness and receiving ability gives Love legitimate three-down upside, although a recent high-ankle sprain adds some risk to his early-season outlook.

If the injury causes Love to slip even slightly in drafts, he becomes an especially intriguing target given his potential to eventually control the Arizona backfield.

Jadarian Price, RB, Seahawks

ADP: 61st overall (RB26)

Jadarian Price spent his college career sharing touches with Love, but he was extremely efficient when given opportunities. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry for his Notre Dame career and finished 2025 with 674 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on only 113 attempts.

More importantly for fantasy purposes, the Seattle Seahawks have reportedly been expanding Price's receiving responsibilities during training camp, and the first-round rookie has been working extensively with the first-team offense.

Price doesn't have Love's college production, but his combination of draft capital, explosiveness and potential workload in a good offense gives him a strong chance to outperform his fantasy draft cost.

Carnell Tate, WR, Titans

ADP: 71st overall (WR30)

Carnell Tate likely has the clearest path to becoming his team's No. 1 receiver among this year's rookie wideouts.

Despite missing three games in 2025, the Ohio State product caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging an impressive 17.2 yards per reception.

His ability to win downfield should pair well with Cameron Ward‘s aggressive playing style, and the Tennessee Titans have an immediate need for a high-volume option in the passing game.

Rookie receivers can be inconsistent, but Tate has enough talent and opportunity to emerge as a weekly fantasy starter sooner rather than later.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints

ADP: 87th overall (WR36)

Jordyn Tyson would have been one of the most appealing rookie receivers in fantasy drafts if not for a significant hamstring injury suffered during training camp, which has caused his ADP to tumble.

He produced 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in only nine games for Arizona State in 2025, showing the target-earning ability that made him the eighth overall pick in the draft.

Unfortunately, Tyson is now expected to miss the beginning of the regular season. But he's still an intriguing stash for managers with enough bench or IR space, particularly because he could eventually establish himself as a major part of an on-the-rise New Orleans Saints passing game alongside Chris Olave.

Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles

ADP: 97th overall (WR40)

Makai Lemon is another rookie whose talent is enticing even if his immediate opportunity isn't quite as obvious.

He broke out for USC in 2025 with 79 receptions, 1,156 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns, and his ability to create after the catch gives the Philadelphia Eagles another dangerous weapon.

A hamstring injury has cost Lemon valuable training-camp time, and he'll also have to compete for targets in an offense that loves to run the football. Still, his first-round draft capital and college production make him a worthwhile upside swing later in fantasy drafts, particularly if his health continues to improve before Week 1.

Check out our best fantasy football late-round picks as well as our fantasy football cheat sheet and superflex rankings.

Fantasy Football FAQ

Are rookies worth drafting in fantasy football?

Yes. Rookies can offer significant fantasy upside because their draft cost often reflects uncertainty about their role rather than their talent. Players who quickly earn starting jobs or large workloads can become some of the best values in fantasy drafts.

Which positions are best for rookie fantasy players?

Rookie running backs and wide receivers typically offer the most immediate fantasy appeal. Running backs can become valuable quickly if they earn a large share of their team's carries, while talented rookie receivers can emerge as weekly fantasy starters if they command enough targets.

When should you draft rookies in fantasy football?

That depends on the player's projected role and ADP. Highly drafted rookies with clear paths to touches or targets can be worth selecting in the early or middle rounds, while more uncertain players are generally better suited as late-round upside picks.

What should you look for when targeting fantasy football rookies?

Opportunity is just as important as talent. Fantasy managers should consider draft capital, depth-chart competition, projected playing time, offensive environment, college production, and whether the player has a realistic path to consistent touches or targets.

YourWay puts the power of the sportsbook in your hands. Now you can adjust lines, customize player props, and get instant odds when you create bets you can't find anywhere else! Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which bets stand out to you this week? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!