NFL Draft Landing Spot Reactions: Analysis For Every Skill-Position Player

The 2026 NFL Draft is underway. See below for instant reactions on what these rookie landing spots mean for their outlook for 2026 in both redraft and dynasty fantasy football.

For all other content to guide you through the NFL Draft, be sure to check out our NFL Draft Guide.

Skill-Position Landing Spot Reactions For The 2026 NFL Draft

Fernando Mendoza | QB | Raiders

Regarding fantasy, Mendoza (16.5 PPG) is projected to be in the same range as Cam Ward (16.4) and Bryce Young (17.2) in our per-game fantasy football projections. Two quarterbacks who have flashed their arm talent, yet are still in need of help in order to reach their ceiling.

Even with his group of pass catchers still underwhelming on paper, any boost in production at quarterback will help turn the Raiders into more of a well-rounded unit. If Mendoza is capable of stretching out the secondary, then this would open up wider running lanes in the middle for Ashton Jeanty, which would apply serious pressure to opposing front sevens on a weekly basis.

READ MORE: Fernando Mendoza's Fantasy Football Impact with the Las Vegas Raiders

Jeremiyah Love | RB | Cardinals

Of all the potential landing spots for Love, the Cardinals are probably one of the better ones. Their depth chart isn’t exactly barren at running back, but the Cardinals' offense at least put some points on the scoreboard last year. They were a top-12 unit in both points and yards per game, so Love should step into a decent offense. For comparison, the Raiders were a bottom-six unit in both yards and points in 2024-25, so it’s a much better landing spot than Ashton Jeanty had as a rookie.

Love will also get to operate behind a decent offensive line. Arizona was 15th in ESPN’s Run Block Win Rate last season, and they added Isaac Seumalo this offseason.

READ MORE: Jeremiyah Love's Fantasy Football Value with the Arizona Cardinals

Carnell Tate | WR | TEN

No doubt about it, there were certainly better landing spots for immediate fantasy production for Tate. But Tate is a talented player who, at some point during the 2026 campaign, should emerge as the top target in this offense. I could easily see Tate being a player you rarely plug into fantasy lineups during the first half of the season, but he becomes a viable starter following the infamous post-bye rookie bump.

READ MORE: Carnell Tate Fantasy Football Outlook with Tennessee Titans

Jordyn Tyson | WR | NO

Disregarding health, Tyson has the highest ceiling of any wideout in this draft class. And the pace of play in New Orleans allows for enough plays for Olave to remain a must-start fantasy wideout in our fantasy football rankings, while Tyson can truly enter fantasy lineups early and often.

READ MORE: Jordyn Tyson Fantasy Football Outlook with New Orleans Saints

Ty Simpson | QB | LAR

This is obviously only really fantasy-relevant for dynasty purposes, but it is a very interesting development. Simpson going in Round 1 would have made noise, but 13th overall will vault Simpson into the first round of rookie drafts. Matthew Freedman agrees, as he's bumped Simpson up half a round in rookie superflex drafts.

READ MORE: Ty Simpson Fantasy Football Outlook with Los Angeles Rams

Kenyon Sadiq | TE

Coming soon ...

Makai Lemon | WR

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Omar Cooper | WR

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KC Concepcion | WR

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Denzel Boston | WR

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