NFL Draft Day One: Dynasty Reaction
Chew reacts to Day One of the 2026 NFL draft and the impact on dynasty fantasy football.
The NFL Draft is among us, and the first round is in the books. There are another six whole rounds (and undrafted signings) to happen, but in the meantime, let’s recap and react to round one. Included in that recap is a quick dynasty reaction and a projected draft range for your upcoming dynasty rookie drafts.
*Rookie draft projections are based on a 12-Team, Superflex, PPR, No Tight End Premium league.
*Check out my rankings broken down by position and sortable by rookies.
PICK #1 - Fernando Mendoza (QB) - LV
Dynasty Reaction: No surprise here, Mendoza joins a Raiders team that has a new coach and is hopefully headed in the right direction. Kirk Cousins was brought in to, presumably, start day one, but Mendoza is well-positioned to step in at the right time and become the Raiders’ franchise quarterback.
Rookie Draft Round: Early 1st
PICK #3 - Jeremiyah Love (RB) - ARI
Dynasty Reaction: Superflex or not, Love has been the prize for dynasty managers all offseason. A bit of a surprise for the Cardinals to take Love, considering their many other needs, but he is a player who demands touches and has big-play ability.
Rookie Draft Round: 1.01
PICK #4 - Carnell Tate (WR) - TEN
Dynasty Reaction: The Titans continue to surround their second-year quarterback Cam Ward with support, and Tate does just that. Touted by many as the WR-1 of this class, Tate becomes the number one target-getter in Tennessee as the Titans look to right the ship under Robert Saleh’s leadership.
Rookie Draft Round: Early 1st
PICK #8 - Jordyn Tyson (WR) - NOLA
Dynasty Reaction: My WR-1 in this class, Tyson, joins Chris Olave as support for second-year signal caller Tyler Shough. The Saints’ offense was a surprise in 2025, and adding Tyson is a huge boost for a team still digging out of salary cap hell.
Rookie Draft Round: Early 1st
PICK #13 - Ty Simpson (QB) - LAR
Dynasty Reaction: Well, this one had me take a step back. It is not a surprise that the Rams are considering life after Matthew Stafford, but with questions about whether Simpson would be a first-round pick, the Rams said, “Yup, we’ll do it at 13.” The limited sample size highlights the importance of Simpson being able to sit behind Stafford, and it sounds like this is NOT in any way an effort to push Stafford to retire.
Rookie Draft Round: Late 1st
PICK #16 - Kenyon Sadiq (TE) - NYJ
Dynasty Reaction: This is the range I expected Sadiq to go, but this was definitely not the team. The Jets added a defender with their first pick and added a pass-catcher here, but not a receiver alongside Garrett Wilson.
Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 1st
PICK #20 - Makai Lemon (WR) - PHI
Dynasty Reaction: While not my thoughts, some consider Lemon to be the WR-1 in this class, and he lands in Philly, where A.J. Brown is almost certainly going to be leaving after June 1st. With Devonta Smith holding down the outside, Lemon has the chance to continue his slot-work and be a trusted target for Jalen Hurts.
Rookie Draft Round: Mid 1st
PICK #24 - KC Concepcion (WR) - CLE
Dynasty Reaction: The enigmatic Concepcion finds an NFL home in Cleveland, where they need receivers, with Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin as the primary pass-catchers. Concepcion steps in as their most dynamic player. The Browns need to sort out the quarterback, but Concepcion is a great weapon for whoever is under center.
Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 1st
PICK #30 - Omar Cooper Jr. (WR) - NYJ
Dynasty Reaction: The Jets circled back and got their receiver! Cooper was widely mocked to the Jets, but falling to pick 30 was a bit of a surprise. The Jets get an electric complement alongside Garrett Wilson, as Cooper had a strong final collegiate season playing for the National Champion Indiana Hoosiers.
Rookie Draft Round: Late 1st-Early 2nd
PICK #32 - Jadarian Price (RB) - SEA
Dynasty Reaction: The second running back off the board is Jeremiyah Love’s backfield mate in Price. There is no doubt the Seahawks would look to add to the running back room following the exit of Kenneth Walker and the recovery of Zach Charbonnet. I do have Jonah Coleman ahead of Price, but there is plenty of reason to be excited about Price in the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Rookie Draft Round: Late 1st-Early 2nd
Stay tuned for two more days of draft picks and dynasty implications!
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