The 2026 NFL season is already giving dynasty managers plenty to think about, especially when it comes to this year’s rookie class. We’re six weeks into the season, and while it’s far too early to make definitive judgments on these players, we’ve seen enough to start evaluating how their early performances compare to the expectations we had throughout the offseason. Some rookies have wasted little time making an impact, others are still searching for consistent opportunities, and a few have already raised questions about their long-term dynasty outlook.
For this rookie check-in, we’re going back to where it all started: offseason Superflex rookie draft ADP. We’ll revisit the consensus first round, examine how each player’s rookie campaign has unfolded, and discuss whether their dynasty value has risen, fallen, or remained relatively unchanged. More importantly, we’ll look beyond the box scores and focus on usage, opportunity, efficiency, and what these early trends could mean moving forward. The goal isn’t to overreact to a handful of games but to determine whether our original evaluations still hold up.
Of course, dynasty value isn’t created exclusively in the first round of rookie drafts. Every year, players selected in the second, third, and even fourth rounds emerge as potential difference-makers, and 2026 has been no exception. After revisiting the first round, we’ll highlight several rookies who were overlooked during draft season but are already making their presence felt. Six weeks won’t define an entire rookie class, but it can tell us quite a bit about where things are headed.
1.01 – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Offseason ADP: 1.0 | Rookie Draft Position: 1.01
It’s been a frustrating start to Love’s NFL career, especially considering the expectations surrounding him coming into the season. Love was the consensus 1.01 in Superflex rookie drafts, and for good reason. He was one of the most talented running back prospects we’ve seen in recent years, and Arizona made its intentions clear when it selected him third overall in the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, injuries and an inconsistent Cardinals offense have prevented him from making the immediate impact many dynasty managers expected.
Through five games, Love has totaled 245 rushing yards on 67 carries, averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt, while adding 11 receptions for 36 yards and two total touchdowns. Those aren’t the numbers we expected from a player who was being valued as an elite dynasty running back before ever taking an NFL snap. However, context matters here. Love suffered a high-ankle sprain during the preseason and has struggled to regain the explosiveness that made him such a special prospect coming out of Notre Dame. He aggravated that injury in Week 5 and missed Week 6, which raises legitimate questions about how effective he’ll be for the remainder of his rookie season.
I’m not panicking on Love, but this is a reminder of the inherent risk that comes with investing significant dynasty capital in running backs. Their value is heavily dependent on health, workload, and situation, and we’ve already seen all three impact Love’s rookie season. Arizona hasn’t done him many favors either. This Cardinals team is going to struggle offensively, and while I think there’s reason to be optimistic about the roster moving forward, I don’t expect an immediate turnaround. That’s going to limit Love’s weekly ceiling, especially if he continues to play at less than 100 percent.
From a dynasty perspective, though, my evaluation hasn’t drastically changed. Love is still an incredibly talented running back with elite draft capital and the ability to become a difference-maker at the position. We shouldn’t ignore the disappointing production, but we also shouldn’t allow five games from an injured rookie to completely change how we view him as a prospect. The talent hasn’t disappeared. The bigger question is when we’ll get to see a fully healthy Love operating in an offense capable of consistently creating scoring opportunities.
The dynasty market still values him as one of the top running backs in the league, and that matters. If I’m rostering Love, I’m not looking to sell simply because his rookie season hasn’t gone according to plan. However, I’m also not treating him as an untouchable asset. If another manager is willing to pay his full offseason price, I’d certainly listen. We’ve seen how quickly the dynasty market can change at running back, and sometimes protecting value is just as important as betting on talent.
Dynasty Outlook: Holding Steady
Recent Dynasty Trades Involving Love
12-Team Superflex | TE Premium
Jeremiyah Love for De’Von Achane and Antion Williams
Jeremiyah Love for Jonathan Taylor
Jeremiyah Love for Makai Lemon, Braelon Allen, and a 2027 1st
Jeremiyah Love for Bhayshul Tuten and a 2027 1st
Jeremiyah Love for Cam Skattebo, a 2028 1st, and a 2029 1st
1.02 – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Offseason ADP: 2.8 | Rookie Draft Position: 1.02
If there’s one rookie whose dynasty outlook hasn’t changed for me through the first six weeks of the season, it’s Mendoza. The Raiders selected Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while we haven’t seen much of him on the field, that’s been the plan from the beginning. Las Vegas brought in Kirk Cousins to serve as its veteran starter, allowing Mendoza to develop behind the scenes rather than immediately throwing him into a difficult situation. For dynasty managers who invested an early first-round rookie pick in Mendoza, there’s absolutely no reason to panic.
Head coach Klint Kubiak has been consistent with his approach to Mendoza’s development. He wants his young quarterback to learn the offense, improve his processing, and be prepared when his opportunity eventually comes. Mendoza made his NFL debut in Week 5 against New England, completing six of eight passes for 48 yards in limited action. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but we weren’t expecting it to be. The Raiders are taking a patient approach with their franchise quarterback, and I actually think that’s a positive for his long-term outlook. Not every rookie quarterback needs to be thrown into the fire immediately to justify his draft capital.
From a dynasty perspective, I still love Mendoza’s situation in Las Vegas, especially with Kubiak running the offense. Mendoza has the size, accuracy, and decision-making ability to be a productive NFL starter, and I believe Kubiak is the right coach to maximize those strengths. The Raiders also have one of the best young tight ends in football in Brock Bowers and a talented running back in Ashton Jeanty. The biggest missing piece is a legitimate WR1, and I fully expect Las Vegas to make that a priority during the 2027 offseason. If they can add a true difference-maker on the outside while continuing to improve the offensive line, Mendoza could find himself in a much better situation when he eventually takes over.
I also think there’s an interesting buying opportunity here. Dynasty managers are naturally impatient, especially when they’ve invested premium rookie capital in a quarterback who isn’t playing. If Mendoza’s manager is growing frustrated with his lack of production, I’m absolutely making an offer. On a rebuilding or middling roster, I’d be willing to move an asset like Tyler Shough to acquire Mendoza. Shough might provide more immediate production, but I’m much more interested in Mendoza’s long-term ceiling, organizational commitment, and offensive environment. Those are the types of calculated moves that can pay off significantly in Superflex leagues.
Ultimately, nothing we’ve seen should change how we evaluated Mendoza coming into the season. He’s still the first overall pick, still tied to a coaching staff I believe in, and still positioned to become the long-term answer in Las Vegas. We may not get the immediate fantasy production that other rookies are providing, but dynasty is about projecting future value, not just chasing what’s happening right now. Mendoza remains a solid hold for me, and depending on the price, he might be one of the better quarterback buys in dynasty right now.
Dynasty Outlook: Holding Steady | Potential Buy
Recent Dynasty Trades Involving Mendoza
12-Team Superflex | TE Premium
Fernando Mendoza for Tee Higgins/Kyler Murray
Fernando Mendoza for Tyler Shough
Fernando Mendoza for Baker Mayfield/2029 2nd
Fernando Mendoza for Bucky Irving
Fernando Mendoza/2027 2nd for Jordan Love