This class has one quarterback with immediate potential to impact our fantasy football teams, one elite running back, several wide receivers that should have immediate success, and one potential star tight end that has some question marks.

I am the primary author of the upcoming WalterPicks Rookie Guide, which we can’t wait for you guys to check out next month! I’ve been locked in on the draft.

Here is a big picture preview for each position entering this draft.

Mendoza is the only QB in this class with a real opportunity to put his fingerprints on fantasy football in 2026. It’s virtually a lock that he ends up in Las Vegas - which means Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and whoever else the Raiders pick up are going to likely have increased chance of quality production for our fantasy lineups. The upgrade from Geno Smith to Fernando Mendoza is likely going to be significant.

Some other QBs to keep an eye on include Ty Simpson (Alabama), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), and Cole Payton (NDSU).

These are the QBs outside of Mendoza that have the next-best chance to have any sort of rapid impact.

Will Cole Payton actually get an opportunity to play in the first few seasons of his career?

He’s the most mobile QB in this class. If Payton gets the chance to play - his ceiling as a fantasy football option is higher than any other QB in the class.

Jeremiyah Love is above and beyond any other RB in this class. He’s going to go in the first round, and we’ll be having debates about just how highly he should be taken in redraft leagues.

Pay attention to Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), and Jonah Coleman (Washington). For more info on all the RBs in the class, make sure you check out the Rookie Guide when it’s released.

Outside of Jeremiyah Love, how many RBs are actually going to be fantasy relevant and how soon will that be?

There are lots of very talented backs in this class, but few possess a workhorse skill set. Who can emerge and set themselves apart?

Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, and Jordyn Tyson are the elite prospects that will go at the top of the draft - and they all offer differing but dynamic skill sets.

There are dozens of WRs in this class that can feasibly find fantasy relevance. But, the ones to really lock in on include Denzel Boston (Washington), Chris Bell (Louisville), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee), Germie Bernard (Alabama), and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana).

Of this second group, who is going to have the most fantasy impact right away?

WR is the deepest skill position in the 2026 class. Landing spot is crucial - and in the Rookie Guide, we provide you with the ideal landing spots for every single prospect.

The Oregon TE is the only one consistently being mocked in the 1st Round of NFL Mock Drafts. He is the tight end with the best chance of being fantasy relevant - but landing spot will be huge for him. He invokes Colston Loveland (but worse).

While the pickings are slim, Max Klare (Ohio State), Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt), and Joe Royer (Cincinnati) are the second-tier TEs to be aware of.

Will any of the tight ends in this class be fantasy relevant any time soon?

Prior to these last few seasons, rookie tight ends almost never produced consistently in their rookie seasons. It feels likely that this class is one where fantasy football players will need to implement a “wait and see” approach.

Newsflash: There are no Brock Bowers’, Tyler Warren’s, Colston Loveland’s, Sam LaPorta’s or Harold Fannin’s in this class.

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