Christian Williams' Rookie Big Board
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, here's how I see the first two rounds of rookie drafts.
The 2026 rookie class isn’t strong. Most rookie classes aren’t, but with the potential for an elite group in 2027, this group is fairly disappointing. While the tiers can be broken down further, I’m candidly disinterested in holding any picks after 1.07. There are too many question marks in the class to feel comfortable with the value you’re adding to your fantasy team after that cutoff. It’s a great year to flip picks for players.
Now that I’ve gotten you amped to read about these rookies, stay with me as I break down why it might not all be bad after 1.07, highlight the best-case scenario, explain why I’m concerned, and share other information for the upcoming class.
The Top Two
I don’t think it’s a surprise that Jeremiyah Love (RB - Notre Dame) and Fernando Mendoza (QB - Indiana) headline my initial big board. Love is an exceptional prospect in the same tier as Ashton Jeanty was in 2025. His contact balance, receiving ability, and three-down upside make him the safest pick in the class. I’ve long been a proponent of heavy-RB builds in dynasty startups; my perennial contenders have at least two elite running backs, which enhances my weekly floor. That’s why Love is my 1.01 in all formats this offseason. While the landing spot could alter this, in theory, I feel fairly confident this will be the order when my final big board is out.
Despite Dan Orlovsky’s bad takes and my general intrigue with Ty Simpson’s body of work, Mendoza is the clear-cut QB1 in the class. In superflex, taking the No. 1 overall pick at 1.02 is generally considered a bargain, considering the inherent sustained value of quarterbacks on rookie deals. And yes, Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick in about one month. I’ve broken Mendoza down a few times this offseason, but make sure you check out this piece for a more detailed breakdown.
Fernando Mendoza: Locked-In No. 1 Pick or Overrated?
There isn’t a position in sports more challenging to project than the quarterback position. Ask all the NFL teams who have swung and missed on a “bust-proof” prospect. Sure, there are the players who are destined for greatness: Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, and many others. But when destiny is unclear, such is the case with all the potential 2026 quarterbacks, the evaluation becomes murky. College offenses function in ways that emulate a completely different sport than the NFL, and sifting through physical and mental traits to determine which quarterbacks can meet the moment once they’re under center for an NFL team is why front office and head coach turnover remains high.
