This is the first installment of the 2021 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings. Keep an eye out for an updated list once the draft has happened.
These rankings are based upon a PPR dynasty league format and could change based upon your league settings.
The top 50 offensive players (QB/RB/WR/TE) have been ranked in this article. There will be future articles that are more positional rankings driven, but for the purpose of this article, we ranked the rookies in one overall list.
The positional breakdown for the top 50 is as follows:
- 6 QB
- 15 RB
- 25 WR
- 4 TE
This is a very offensive-oriented draft that should yield plenty of fantasy potential.
2021 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings
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Quarterbacks
Zach Wilson
Zach Wilson targeting single coverage this season:
🔥 18 touchdowns
🔥 1 interception
🔥 145.3 passer rating (1st) pic.twitter.com/ZLgCSewxng— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 7, 2021
Everyone knows that Trevor Lawerence will be the top QB taken in the draft, but who will be the second QB taken is anyone’s guess. Enter Zach Wilson.
Wilson is fresh off of a season in which he totaled 33 passing TDs, 10 rushing TDs and threw for 3,692 yards.
He is a natural passer whose accuracy on the deep ball was among the best in college football. Wilson’s athletism allows him to extend most plays, giving him the time needed to find an open receiver.
It should not matter what scheme Wilson goes into, as he is pro-ready and should be a day one starter.
Trey Lance
Lance is the relative unknown among the QBs available in this draft.
North Dakota State did not have a season this year, so Lance only has one full year of starter experience where he went 16-0 and won the championship.
Now granted during that one full season, Lance did put up some flashy numbers both through the air (2,786, 28 TDs) and on the ground (1,100, 14 TDs).
Due to his age and inexperience, the ideal situation for Lance would be to sit a year behind a vet and learn.
Running Backs
Najee Harris
Only two college RBs have earned an 85+ grade in 3 different seasons:
▶️ Najee Harris, Alabama
▶️ Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/U8hPEgtCwv— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 8, 2021
Harris is not only my top-rated running back in this draft, but he is also my top pick in non-super flex rookie drafts.
At 6’3” 230 LBS, there is not much Harris cannot do on the field and projects to be a prototypical lead back at the next level. During his senior season, Harris had a career-high in rushing yards (1,466), receptions (43), and rushing TDs (26).
Harris is the perfect combination of size and speed. His size allows him to barrel over would-be tacklers for the extra yards while his speed gives him that game-breaker potential every time he touches the ball.
What I like most about Harris is his natural ability to catch the ball. Almost doubling his receptions from his Junior to Senior year (27 to 43) is impressive.
Javonte Williams
Williams exploded onto the scene with a breakout junior season. He rushed for 1,140 yards on only 157 carries while scoring 19 times.
His 5’10”, 225 lb frame makes him a power runner that is hard to bring down at the first level. He combines his athleticism with an aggressive approach every time he touches the ball, making him as dangerous as any runner in this draft.
Williams continues to rise up the draft boards, and with a good combine/pro day, it would not be a surprise to see him go early round two.
Jaret Patterson
Patterson ran all over the competition in 2021, running for 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns in only six games.
He is an overall good athlete with solid vision and has enough shiftiness and speed to be dangerous at the second level.
Despite being labeled as a bit undersized for the position, his overall athletic ability and smarts on the field should yield to success in the NFL.
Wide Receivers
Rashod Bateman
Slot fade from Rashod Bateman. Stacks the DB with pure speed, then makes an incredible catch on a ball severely underthrown pic.twitter.com/qIoUeRSjoT
— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) February 6, 2021
Everyone has a “my guy”, and Bateman is that guy for me. I love everything he brings to the field, and there is a strong case for him to be one of the top three WRs drafted.
Bateman runs crisps routes and has a great quick release off of the line. He can stretch the field with his downfield speed but he also possesses the ideal ball skills to win in the slot.
Whoever drafts Batman will and should line him up all over the field. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
Rondale Moore
Moore is on the shorter side of most of the WRs in the draft (5’9”, 180 lbs), but he is a jack of trades type of receiver that pops on film.
He is a speedster who runs hard and has a sturdy frame for his size, making him tough to take down.
Moore can be a Swiss Army knife, do it all slot receiver at the next level, leaving no down he will have an impact at the next level.
Tylan Wallace
When you're throwing to Tylan Wallace, it's not a 50-50 ball. pic.twitter.com/wu6FDdveKO
— Gage Bridgford (@GbridgfordNFL) February 4, 2021
Wallace had a very productive career at Oklahoma State. He caught 48 touchdowns for 3,760 yards and an average of 20.7 yards per catch.
Wallace combines speed, athletic ability and great hands, making him an all-around phenomenal WR. He excels as a downfield threat, but excels at going up and winning the 50/50 jump ball.
Wallace may not get drafted as high as his fellow rookie WRs in the NFL, but his talent alone warrants a high draft pick in rookie drafts.
Tight Ends
Brevin Jordan
By now, everyone knows about Kyle Pitts, and how dominant he is, but people should not sleep on Brevin Jordan.
Jordan is one of the most athletic players in the entire draft. He moves like a wide receiver, has a unique YAC ability and terrorizes would-be tacklers.
At Miami, he lined up in the slot, on the outside and often times had screens set up for him. He fits the mold of the modern-day NFL tight end, and should not be overlooked.
2021 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings
Keep an eye out for more Fantasy Football content from the Fantasy Six Pack team as the season approaches.
Check out the rest of our 2021NFL Draft coverage.
