Post

Matt Bowen provides his analysis of this year's rookie class in fantasy, in terms of redraft and dynasty value.

Every year, the NFL draft ushers new talent into the league, which provides fantasy football managers new players on whom to speculate. The potential these players possess and when they are expected to receive the opportunity to produce is what separates the rookies you should consider drafting from those who will require more patience.

This draft class was pretty lean at the offensive skill spots, but there are players who are in a position to produce viable numbers in redraft leagues of varying sizes. We'll also identify the dynasty targets to put on your fantasy radar.

Mendoza has the traits to operate and produce under new head coach Klint Kubiak . We'll see rhythm play-action throws and movement concepts that cater to Mendoza's accuracy and timing as a passer. He led the nation with 41 touchdown passes in his final season at Indiana. But with the Raiders adding veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to the mix this offseason, Mendoza's 2026 ceiling in redraft formats is somewhat limited. He's best served as a target in 2QB and superflex leagues.

Love should be viewed as a three-down playmaker, similar to Jahmyr Gibbs , with the ability to produce immediate numbers as a rookie. Love, who scored 21 total touchdowns for Notre Dame in 2025, is a sudden and explosive runner, with 39 rushes of 10 or more yards last season at Notre Dame. There's home run juice here. Plus, Love had 63 receptions during his college career, and his route tree will expand in the Cardinals' offense. Love has top-10 upside at the position.

Love's backfield partner at Notre Dame has the vision and instincts to find a downhill path and showed contact balance at the point of attack. Price averaged almost six yards per carry last season, and he can find the end zone (11 rushing scores).Though his pass-catching numbers were limited in college, Price will be deployed on screens and swings in the NFL. He should step into the role vacated by Kenneth Walker III , which sets him up to share the backfield duties with Zach Charbonnet . Managers can target Price as an RB2/flex.

Competing for the No. 2 spot in Vegas behind Ashton Jeanty really lowers Washington's fantasy ceiling in redraft formats. But he can be targeted as an insurance back because of his speed and overall fit as a zone runner in Kubiak's offense. Washington ran a blazing 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. He can roll once he gets into space, and that speed also flashes on swing routes. He's worth a late-round add.