Dynasty fantasy football is not only about predicting the season ahead, but the far future as well. Managers have known for over a year that the 2026 dynasty class would not square up to the class of 2027, but how much value does a 2027 draft pick hold over this year’s picks? Analyst Joel Smyth gives a value comparison for the 2027 rookie draft versus the 2026 draft class.
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Whether it’s for trade value or looking ahead at positional needs, the following top 12 players from the 2026 & 2027 classes can be used to gauge dynasty value.
Top-12 Superflex Dynasty Rookie Values (2026 + 2027)
Rank & Projected Player:
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2027 1.01 (~WR Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State)
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2026 1.01 (RB Jeremiyah Love – Arizona Cardinals)
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2027 1.02 (~QB Arch Manning – Texas)
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2027 1.03 (~QB Dante Moore – Oregon)
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2027 1.04 (~WR Cam Coleman – Texas)
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2027 1.05 (~RB Kewan Lacy – Ole Miss)
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2026 1.02 (QB Fernando Mendoza – Las Vegas Raiders)
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2027 1.06 (~QB Julian Sayin – Ohio State)
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2026 1.03 (WR Carnell Tate – Tennessee Titans)
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2027 1.07 (~WR Ryan Williams – Alabama)
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2026 1.04 (WR Jordyn Tyson – New Orleans Saints)
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2027 1.08 (~QB LaNorris Sellers – South Carolina)
2027 is the better class of the two, although they have one more season to prove their value. Jeremiyah Love, with his draft capital at the RB position, would be No. 1 in an average two-year group, but a generational WR talent in Jeremiah Smith can’t be overlooked. It’s unlikely he’ll go first overall above a top QB, but 2600+ yards and 29 touchdowns in the first two seasons of a college career is unheard of. He was the WR1 on a national championship team over two first-round receivers. He is being put in the same dynasty fantasy tier as Ja’Marr Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua, with the boost of being a future 21-year-old rookie.
As of now, I’d be okay taking the 2027 1.05 over the 2026 1.02, with three top QB prospects, another elite WR prospect in Cam Coleman and multiple threats to be a first-round RB available.
13-24 Superflex Dynasty Rookie Values (2026 + 2027)
Rank & Projected Player:
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2027 1.09 (~RB Ahmah Hardy – Missouri)
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2026 1.05 (WR Makai Lemon – Philadelphia Eagles)
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2027 1.10 (~WR Nick Marsh – Indiana)
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2026 1.06 (RB Jadarian Price – Seattle Seahawks)
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2027 1.11 (~WR Bryant Wesco Jr. – Clemson)
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2026 1.07 (WR KC Concepcion – Cleveland Browns)
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2027 1.12 (~RB Jadan Baugh – Florida)
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2027 2.01 (~RB Isaac Brown – Louisville)
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2027 2.02 (~WR Ryan Wingo – Texas)
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2026 1.08 (TE Kenyon Sadiq – New York Jets)
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2026 1.09 (WR Omar Cooper Jr – New York Jets)
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2026 1.10 (QB Ty Simpson – Los Angeles Rams)
The top 14 players would be a tier for me at the moment. The clear drop-off point in current rookie drafts is seen after Makai Lemon at No. 5. The mid-to-late first of the 2027 draft matches up evenly, with Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy rounding off the top tier. Hardy was sadly a victim of a gunshot wound to his leg this offseason and could easily rise higher in the draft if he’s able to come back strong.
The 2026 class gets murky once reaching Pick 6. Jadarian Price lands in a great spot for his fantasy potential, but the players following took a hit on draft night that would usually drop them into the second round of rookie drafts. The other positive of the 2027 late firsts and early seconds over the set 2026 picks is the upside of the unknown. The draft pick could end up being earlier than expected, or the strength of the class or a certain position turns out better than currently expected.
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If you aren’t a believer in the high-end upside of Kenyon Sadiq or KC Concepcion, taking a shot at the 2027 1.12 or 2.01 may turn out to be much more valuable in the future. Also, players like Ryan Wingo aren’t cemented as the 2.02 (as projected above) and could turn into a much more valuable player who’s currently ranked a few spots lower. Think of Omar Cooper Jr. rising to be a top-10 rookie pick out of nowhere in 2026.
2027 2nd Round > 2026 Late 1st Round?
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2027 2.03 – 2.10
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2026 1.11 (Eli Stowers/Denzel Boston range)
After Pick 10, there isn’t an easy selection in the 2026 late first; no NFL Draft first-rounders left and nowhere near a clear top option. A second-round pick in the 2027 draft has plenty of potential talent. With multiple other QB prospects as potential risers and depth at the running back position, the second round of 2027 rookie drafts could be flooded with second-round NFL Draft talent.
In comparison, there are currently only two second-round NFL Draft picks in the second round of consensus 2026 dynasty drafts: Steelers WR Germie Bernard and 49ers WR De’Zhaun Stribling. I’ll take a shot on the 2027 second-round rookie picks living up to the hype.