This is not a particularly inspiring rookie class. We saw a bunch of skill-position players go in the first few rounds, but there aren’t a ton of guys expected to make an immediate impact.
That is currently reflected in the ADP data on Underdog. Only four rookies have an ADP inside the top 100 picks, with a handful more going inside the top 200.
However, rookies have historically been solid targets in fantasy football. The uncertainty with their roles creates a potential value proposition. Some players will emerge during training camp, while others will see their roles grow throughout the regular season. Whether through injury or natural development, there will be some rookies who shine over the second half of the regular season. Those players can provide significant value across all leagues, but especially in Best Ball. Even if those rookies don’t provide much value through the first handful of weeks, they can be key differentiators in the playoffs.
Let’s dive into a few rookie sleepers that are worth considering.
Makai Lemon, WR, Eagles
Underdog ADP: 72.6
DraftKings ADP: Click Here
Lemon was drafted third among the “big three” receiver prospects at No. 20 overall, putting him significantly behind both Carnell Tate (fourth) and Jordyn Tyson (eighth). However, it should shock no one if Lemon ends up being the best fantasy producer as a rookie.
For starters, Lemon is coming off the most productive final collegiate season of the bunch. He had 79 catches for 1,159 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns, and he added another two scores on the ground. It was enough for him to finish as a consensus All-American and take home the Fred Biletnikoff award, given out annually to the best receiver in college football. Tate wasn’t even the top receiver on his own college team, while Tyson was limited to just nine games played due to injury. Lemon’s combination of productivity and route-running has drawn comparisons to fellow USC alum Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Lemon also lands in arguably the best spot among the rookie receivers. He’ll step right into a competent NFL offense with the Eagles. While they took a clear step back last season, they were a top-eight unit in both points and yards per game in each of the three previous years.
With A.J. Brown expected to be traded to the Patriots, Lemon should earn a starting spot in a highly condensed passing attack right out of the gates. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert commanded a 75% target share last season, with Brown leading the group at 30%. Lemon probably won’t grab all of Brown’s available targets, but he should form a 1A-1B type of committee with Smith. A 25+% target share is not out of the question.
Lemon is currently coming off the board on average in the sixth round of Underdog drafts, putting him in the same tier as guys like Tate, Brian Thomas Jr., and Marvin Harrison Jr. Give him Lemon over that cohort every day of the week.
Kaytron Allen, RB, Commanders
Underdog ADP: 191.9
DraftKings ADP: Click Here
The NFL Draft was a bit of a mixed bag for Allen. On one hand, he fell a bit more than expected, lasting until pick No. 187. That made him just the ninth RB to come off the board.
On the other hand, he secured arguably the best possible landing spot for a rookie running back. He was selected by the Commanders, who have a pretty barren depth chart at the position. After losing Chris Rodriguez this offseason, Allen’s only competition for touches will be Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, and Jerome Ford. Croskey-Merritt was not particularly impressive with his opportunities last season, while White and Ford are more change-of-pace backs.
Allen fits the description of an early-down grinder at the NFL level. He earned carries for Penn State as a true freshman, and he only built on his success from then. It culminated with 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior, and he averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per attempt. Ultimately, he checks a lot of boxes from a production standpoint, though he doesn’t bring much to the table as a pass-catcher.
There’s a chance that Allen earns a role with the Commanders right out of the gates, and playing alongside Jayden Daniels has the potential to pay big dividends. Even if he doesn’t, he could potentially take on a larger role as the year progresses. He’s someone to take a flyer on late in drafts.
Updated on 5/25/26
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Ravens
Underdog ADP: 210.3
DraftKings ADP: Click Here
Can I interest you in a cheap piece of the Ravens’ offense? Like Allen, Sarratt lasted much longer than expected in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was tentatively expected to be a Day 2 pick, but he lasted all the way to pick No. 115. He was the 19th receiver to come off the board, and he wasn’t even the first receiver drafted by Baltimore.
Still, Sarratt has done nothing but produce. He started out at St. Francis University, where he totaled 42 catches, 700 yards, and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman. That got him the opportunity to link up with Kirk Cignetti at James Madison, where he earned All-Sun Belt honors. He followed Cignetti to Indiana, and Sarratt simply kept on producing. He was the Hoosiers’ co-No. 1 wide receiver alongside Omar Cooper, who was a first-round selection for the Jets.
Sarratt lacks eye-popping athleticism, but he’s a contested catch specialist. He’s capable of bullying smaller defensive backs, and he’s someone that the fantasy community remains high on.
Sarratt has a chance to earn the starting slot opposing Zay Flowers in the Ravens’ offense, and he should have a role in the red zone at a minimum. Lamar Jackson is coming off an injury-plagued campaign, but don’t forget what he’s capable of when fully healthy. He had nearly 4,200 passing yards and 42 passing scores just two years ago, and he propelled Rashad Bateman to a WR34 finish in half-PPR scoring. You would gladly take that outcome with Sarratt at his current price tag.
Chris Bell, WR, Dolphins
Underdog ADP: 192.1
DraftKings ADP: Click Here
Bell suffered a late-season torn ACL in his final collegiate season, but he was in the midst of a breakout before then. He tallied 72 catches for 917 yards and six scores in 11 games before his injury. He averaged an excellent 2.47 receiving yards per team pass attempt (RYPTPA), and he garnered 30% of his team’s targets.
None of Bell’s underlying data points suggest he’s an elite prospect, but he did land in a phenomenal situation. He was drafted in the third round by the Dolphins, who are severely lacking at receiver. They traded away Jaylen Waddle, while Tyreek Hill was released.
It leaves minimal competition for snaps and targets on the depth chart. Bell will have to deal with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas, who was considered a significant reach in the third round. As far as veterans go, Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell are the most accomplished names to contend with.
There’s a good chance that Bell is not fully recovered from his injury at the start of the year, but he could blossom into the Dolphins’ No. 1 option in the second half of the year. Even if the team is going to be horrible, someone is going to have to catch the ball. Malik Willis also showed some flashes over the past two years for the Packers, so perhaps the offense might not be as big a dumpster fire as some think.
Antonio Williams, WR, Commanders
Underdog ADP: 159.6
DraftKings ADP: Click Here
Finally, Williams is another rookie who has a pretty clear path to playing time. Deebo Samuel is currently gone from last year’s squad, opening up a clear void at WR2. None of the other returning veterans has been particularly impressive at the NFL level, so Williams could be the guy to step up alongside Terry McLaurin.
Williams had no problem earning targets at Clemson. He led the team in target share in three of his four seasons, including as a true freshman. His numbers don’t exactly jump off the page – he topped out at 75 catches and 904 receiving yards in a year – he did the vast majority of his damage around the line of scrimmage. 64% of his targets came within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, so it’s possible that he was held back by the scheme.
The Commanders liked Williams enough to select him near the top of the third round, making him the ninth receiver in the class. At a minimum, he should handle some of the short yardage/screen targets that the Commanders love to run. If he can beat out guys like Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks, and Dyami Brown in training camp, he could be a full-time WR2 in an offense with plenty of bounce-back potential in 2026-27.
Pictured: Makai Lemon
Photo Credit: Imagn
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