2026 Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex, Tight End Premium, IDP

The NFL Draft is this week! Where do we stand on these rookies for our fantasy drafts in SF/TEP leagues? Let's find out with a 3-round rookie mock draft.

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, and with it comes the most important question in dynasty:

Where do you have these rookies ranked, and more importantly, where is everyone else taking them?

To give you a real answer to that second question, we assembled six of the sharpest minds in IDP dynasty—Jeff Pomazal, Kyle Bellefeuil, Eric Harms, Jason King, Evan Ringler, and Mike Woellert—for a superflex, TEP rookie mock draft. Each manager took two picks per round and shared their full rationale for why they made that pick at that spot.

That’s what we wanted this article to be: a window into how serious dynasty managers are actually thinking about this class, rather than just another rankings breakdown. Whether you’re preparing for your own rookie draft or just want to stress-test your board before the picks start flying, this is the conversation worth having. The class is deeper than it might look at first glance… and the debate starts at pick 1.02.

Let’s dive into it.

1.01: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Jeff: I am taking the chalkest of the chalkest picks with Jeremiyah Love. The dude is the complete package, and when a prospect is at the Bijan Robinson/Jahmyr Gibbs level of prospects, this is a no-brainer in all formats. If I have the 1.01 and I am not taking Love, I am moving it for a haul because some of the recent trades I’ve seen go down for this pick have been massive, and if, for some reason, I do not want Love, I can get a very nice haul of proven players and possibly some picks in return. Love has everything you want in your RB1: size, he’s a natural receiver, and the ability to take it to the house on every single play.

1.02: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Kyle: I debated jumping in the pool of the first tier of wide receivers here (Tate, Lemon, and Tyson). However, given this is superflex, I decided to go with the heavy favorite to go first overall to Las Vegas in Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza might not have a high-end QB1 ceiling, but he has the traits as a leader, processor, and ball placement to be a rock-solid QB2 for the long haul.

1.03: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Eric: Like a lot of people, I have Carnell Tate as the top receiver in this class. Tate is a great route runner and has a good feel for setting up defenders. He has excellent hands as well, catching the ball away from his body, and he didn’t drop a single pass in 2025. At 6’3” and 195 pounds, he is a prototypical X receiver.

1.04: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Jason: Given the TEP format, Kenyon Sadiq has a leg up on the top remaining WRs (Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, and KC Concepcion). Even in non-TEP/SF drafts, you can consider Sadiq as high as 1.03, as long as TE is a starting spot. Those top WRs aren’t sure-fire studs, while Sadiq has the upside of a difference-maker at TE.

1.05: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Evan: For most people, this pick is about Makai Lemon vs. Jordyn Tyson. For me, it’s clearly Lemon. I have real concerns about Tyson’s durability, physicality, and separation ability, but no doubts at all about Lemon’s transition to the NFL. His short-to-intermediate route running, soft hands, and physicality after the catch will immediately make him a good #2 WR, with the potential to turn into a great #1 like former USC Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown.

1.06: Jordyn Tyson, WR, ASU

Mike: So with the 6th pick, I’m assuming I need some offensive weapons. My top RB/WR were taken, but I’m starting to warm up to Jordan Tyson. Maybe it’s because his brother (Jaylon) plays for the Cavaliers. His injury history is his knock, but he separates well and has decent size at 6’2.” He can run the route tree and has been a productive WR. His draft capital should have him on the field and contributing immediately. Honestly, I focus on IDP, but he would be my WR3.

1.07: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Jeff: I took Concepcion at 1.07 because I feel like he offers a strong mix of immediate production and some nice long-term upside, especially in PPR formats. Lots of mocks have him going to solid landing spots with some creative, offensive-minded coaches. I would love to see him land in San Francisco or Buffalo, where he would be able to showcase his skills with his route running and his YAC ability. He needs to work on his hands a little, but this is something I think that he can improve on at the next level. I thought about Omar Cooper Jr. here, but I think maybe recent draft hype has pushed his name ahead of higher-quality players like Concepcion.

1.08: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Kyle: Deciding between Denzel Boston and Omar Cooper Jr. was a struggle with this pick, but in the end, I landed on Boston as his profile is one I typically gravitate towards. While he had to wait his turn at Washington, Boston finished strong with 125 receptions, 1,715 yards, and 20 touchdowns over his final two seasons. Boston is big (6’4” and 212 pounds), possesses a big, strong set of mitts, and his new quarterback will love his ability to go up and get it. Boston has a real shot to sneak into the first round and could be a red zone threat early on.

1.09: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Eric: I was happy to have Cooper make it to me here. He played mostly out wide in 2024, but mostly in the slot in 2025. He’ll likely be mostly a slot player in the NFL and he fits very well there. He’s a shifty, tough receiver who is great with the ball in his hands, and he’s hard to bring down. I also love that he is good at blocking. He is going to stay on the field with his skill set.

1.10 Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

Jason: This was a struggle, and I almost went with Jadarian Price, who Evan took one pick later. If Price comes off the board late Thursday night or early on Friday, he’s the better pick. I like Reese, though, as a potential Will Anderson-level asset at EDGE, and he’s arguably the best player in the entire draft class.

1.11 Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Evan: On a per-carry basis, Jadarian Price is the most explosive runner in the class, ranking 1st in the percentage of carries that go for 10+ yards and 15+ yards. The main concerns are his ability to handle volume and his receiving profile (only 15 catches in his college career). I’m betting that these flaws are merely because he played with Jeremiyah Love, and he will be able to showcase his full skill set in the NFL. Price is likely to get 2nd round draft capital, which gives him a considerable boost over other RBs in the class.

1.12: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Mike: At 12, I’m assuming this is a championship roster with very few holes. At this point, I don’t feel like I need to reach for any of the position players, so I might as well take one of my favorite LBs and my IDP 1.01 here. Yes, he’s my IDP 1.01. He’s been talked up as a potential 1st-round pick, and the draft capital could potentially get him on the field as a Day 1 starter, like Carson Schwesinger last season. He’s a high-IQ off-ball LB and was one of the strongest linebackers I evaluated in all three phases. He can stuff the run, get to the QB, and is fluid in coverage. He has good instincts, plus processing speed, and most importantly, a track record of production, which is important for IDP value.

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2.01: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

Jeff: I easily took Eli Stowers at 2.01, especially in a TEP format. His upside at a position that really only has a handful of year-in, year-out, proven studs was just incredibly valuable and way too good to pass up. Stowers brings some freakish athleticism and receiving ability, which was on full display at the NFL Combine. I like Stowers as much, if not more than Sadiq, in this draft because I am able to draft him later in the draft and get someone who I think will be a huge mismatch for OCs as they look to attack the seam against slower linebackers. I know this draft has some nice sleepers at the position, but getting Stowers here allows me to attack other positions of the draft later on.

2.02: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Kyle: I was really considering going running back with this pick, with the likes of Jonah Coleman and Mike Washington, who both went shortly after. However, with Jason and Mike breaking the seal on the IDPs a few picks earlier, I opted to grab my LB1 in Sonny Styles. Styles is an athletic freak who never has to leave the field, who could come off the board within the first five picks on draft day. I’m elated to grab him in the early second with his potential to anchor my linebacking core for the next decade.

2.03: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington

Eric: I considered Mike Washington here, too. Washington certainly has better athleticism, but I went with Jonah Coleman because I prefer his running back skills. He has very good vision, power, and contact balance. And he holds onto the ball. Coleman has also shown he can catch the ball, and I see him being a 3-down back, depending on where he lands. While he might not break off 80-yard touchdowns, he is a reliable running back who can still get more than what is blocked. In the 2nd round, I prefer to take offensive players with potential over non-elite defensive players. If they hit, the value is higher for the offensive players. There weren’t any Will Anderson/Abdul Carter-like elite defensive players left at this point.

2.04 David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech

Jason: By this point in the early 2nd, we’re already seeing likely Day 3 RBs coming off the board. I get the allure of taking swings on RBs or WRs here, but I prefer the more sure thing with Bailey, a potential long-term EDGE2.

2.05 Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

Evan: Mike Washington is one of the most athletic RB prospects we have ever seen, posting a 100th percentile Speed Score and 92nd percentile Burst Score. He’s a somewhat well-rounded back in my opinion, but really pops in the open field, where he can turn an 8-yard gain into a house call. If Washington lands in the right system—one that allows him to get downhill consistently—he could turn into a phenomenal value. But he could also be the next Isaac Guerendo.

2.06: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Mike: It never fails that I’d get sniped on Mike Washington Jr. after toiling back and forth between Johnson and Simpson. In a SF league, I might as well nab the QB2 in the draft. Honestly, I don’t have too much to analyze here. I thought he looked good at the beginning of the season, with decent pocket presence and smarts throwing the football. His limited experience might be a bit of a red flag (15 starts), but he displayed decent accuracy. He could go in the 1st round and I view him as a 2027 starter.

2.07: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska

Jeff: I love the 2nd round this year, and it's because of players like Emmett Johnson. Johnson is a great target at this point in the draft as his skill set is perfect for today’s NFL. He has back-to-back seasons with more than 35 catches, with 46 this last season for almost 400 yards. In a PPR league, that is an extra 85 points on the season, which could really raise his points per week average. He is 5’11” and 200 pounds, which is just perfect. Johnson has great footwork and some great balance after contact. I would love to see him drafted by the Vikings, as he would quickly pass up both ex-Packer legend Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason for touches.

2.08: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

Kyle: After passing on RB with my last pick, that’s where I decided to go here. Kaytron Allen doesn’t possess the high-end athleticism of some of the other backs in this class, but his vision, power, and durability give him the potential to lead a committee situation at some point. Allen also offers enough as a pass catcher if called upon. Landing on a team in need of an early-down runner would be an ideal situation for Allen.

2.09: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State

Eric: This might be seen as a reach by many. There are certainly safer picks here, but I love Ted Hurst, and I’m chasing his tremendous upside. A 6’3,” 206-pound WR from Georgia State with a 9.90 RAS, he showed he belonged with a standout performance during the Senior Bowl. He’s a great ball tracker and makes some awesome acrobatic catches. If he gets better at releases and gets a little stronger, he has a very high ceiling. This pick is all about the ceiling.

2.10: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

Jason: The late 2nd round offers plenty of opportunity to take swings on the offensive side, and there’s just a sliver of difference between who goes in the upper half of the round and the bottom half. In the right situation, Antonio Williams could be a volume slot with a WR4 floor.

2.11: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami

Evan: Rueben Bain Jr. is my top EDGE in this draft class, but he will likely be discounted in most drafts because of his short arms and off-field concerns. I’m not too worried about his arm length because he showed an ability to consistently win against elite competition, particularly in the college football playoffs. In terms of stats and metrics, Bain checks every box. He was incredibly productive across the board in 2025, led all FBS EDGEs in total snaps (by a wide margin), and remained efficient on a per-snap basis.

2.12: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

Mike: I wasn’t too enamored with the running backs here. I could have gone with another IDP, but I went with Elijah Surratt from Indiana’s potent offense. I like the fact that he catches the ball—a pretty key trait for a receiver. Sarratt had a 4.5% drop rate (3 total) on the year, so he’s a dependable target. His size and strength provide an advantage. If scoring is your thing, and we love scoring in fantasy, he had 15 TDs in 2025. He turned in a decent 2.39 yards per route run and should be a solid NFL WR2.

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3.01: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

Jeff: I took Chris Bell here at 3.01 because he’s a big-bodied receiver (6’2” and 220 pounds) who has a strong red-zone upside, wins a high percentage of 50/50 balls, and, before his ACL injury, was showing steady progression in each of his three college seasons. At that stage of the draft, betting on his size, physicality, and potential opportunity made him a worthwhile upside swing to start the 3rd round. I think I would be fine drafting him in the 2nd round to make sure that I land him. He’s a perfect “draft-and-stash” type of player.

3.02: Chris Brazell, WR, Tennessee

Kyle: This pick is all about upside. Chris Brazzell has things to clean up as a route runner, but he has game-breaking potential at 6’4” and 198 pounds and blazing speed as seen by his 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. This could be a low-floor selection, but Brazzell’s ceiling is worth a shot in the 3rd round.

3.03: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Eric: After going for great upside at 2.09, I went the opposite direction with this pick. Germie Bernard is a receiver who does everything well, but nothing great. He is a good route runner and a reliable receiver who is willing to go over the middle. He has a good floor and should be a flex option on fantasy teams for years to come.

3.04: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

Jason: From a pre-NFL Draft fantasy perspective, everything from 2.03 to this point has been the same, value-wise. Malachi Fields fits the possession-WR archetype, and the hope is that he finds his way into a high-passing volume offense with a competent offensive coaching staff.

3.05 Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn St.

Evan: I think Nicholas Singleton is the last RB remaining who has a real chance to get Day 2 draft capital. A year ago, he was one of the top RB prospects, until he had a very disappointing 2025 campaign (like all of Penn State). Singleton will immediately be useful in the NFL as a receiver, and has explosive potential on the ground (although it didn’t show up last season). The 3rd round is the perfect time to take RB dart throws with upside.

3.06: Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest

Mike: Demond Claiborne demonstrates patience behind the line and above-average change of pace and direction. Ball security is probably going to be his bugaboo, as he lost 4 fumbles during the 2025 season. He’s elusive in space and makes for decent fantasy depth.

3.07: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Jeff: Not sure how often you can get a potential top 5 player in the draft in the second half of the 3rd round, but here we are. I was racing to submit my pick. I took Caleb Downs at 3.07 because in IDP formats, he’s the kind of safety who can rack up tackles, and his football IQ will allow him to make plays all over the field. His football instincts and versatility to play at both safety positions and in the slot make him an instant DB1 for years to come in IDP leagues. Going to sleep well tonight, boys!

3.08: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Kyle: Like Jeff, I was waiting to run to the podium if Caleb Downs was still on the board here. With Downs gone, I decided to stay in the IDP lane here and go linebacker with the pick. The debate was between Jake Golday and C.J. Allen. While Allen is a rock-solid run defender who is likely to garner higher draft capital, I stuck to my board and went with Golday, who I have one spot higher in my ranks. Golday’s pairing of size and athleticism, and IDP potential as a player who can impact the game on all three downs, makes him a prime target of mine in the late third round of drafts.

3.09: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State

Eric: Max Klare is a versatile, receiving tight end, and I love that at 3.09 in a TEP draft. He gets separation with his route running and is also good at finding the openings against zone. I would love to see him drafted to Kansas City and become the heir apparent to Travis Kelce.

3.10: Justin Joly, TE, NC State

Jason: What can I say? It’s TEP, and as an NC State season ticket holder, I saw a lot of Justin Joly over the past two years. A pure receiving TE, Joly is strong in contested situations and plays like a QB’s best friend by consistently finding voids in coverage. There’s nice flex appeal here given the format.

3.11: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Evan: CJ Allen is commonly projected to get 1st round draft capital, which is rare for off-ball LBs in today’s NFL. He’s a smart player who’s likely to be a green dot 3-down LB for years to come. Allen might not have the most explosive skillset, but a reliable high-volume LB is a great pick at the end of the 3rd round, especially in start 3 LB leagues.

3.12: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Mike: If you miss on Downs, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a fine consolation prize. He’s my S/DB2. McNeil-Warren has similar traits, and if he played in a Power-5, he might get just as much pub as Downs. He had a 61% box rate, which we love for IDP, and recorded an 11.8% tackle rate. If you know me, you know I love my tackle rate, and for a DB, that’s elite. He’s a tone-setter and brings the physicality. The ball isn’t secure near Warren, as he has busy hands and will force the ball out. He has plus sideline-to-sideline, relentless in pursuit, and a plus trigger downhill.

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