2021 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
This might be the most exciting time of the year to be a football fan and dynasty fantasy football player. As we approach the culmination of the NFL season, we are simultaneously turning our collective attention to the incoming rookie class. This week’s deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft has finalized everything. Our early 2021 rookie rankings are the first step in the march towards this year’s NFL Draft. These early 2021 rookie rankings, and of course all of our dynasty fantasy football rankings will be continuously updated throughout the year and into the NFL season.
Here at Dynasty League Football, we pride ourselves on keeping you informed. Although the Senior Bowl, Pro Days and of course the NFL Draft are all yet to come this off-season, we are excited to release our initial set of rookie rankings, for both single quarterback leagues as well as super-flex leagues.
TIER ONE
Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
Average Rank: 1.67
Despite not playing this season after opting out due to COVID-19 concerns, Chase remains the top target in this rookie class, albeit by a narrow margin. Chase clearly felt like he had shown enough in his record-breaking sophomore season and we agree, ranking him as the top player in a deep rookie class. Chase set the SEC record for both receiving yards (1,780) and touchdowns (20) in 2019. There were at least some slight concerns that many members of that Tigers’ offense could be viewed as one-hit wonders, but Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson and Joe Brady did their part to dispel that idea.
Najee Harris, RB Alabama
Average Rank: 2
Alabama’s Najee Harris was one of many college prospects who opted to return to school rather than enter the 2019 NFL Draft. Most likely regretted that decision due to the craziness of the past year, including a jumbled college football season. However, Harris was not one of them. Not only did his Crimson Tide team go wire-to-wire to win another National Title, but Harris also established himself as the top back in the class. He is a big, powerful runner but also has receiving chops. Doubters are reaching for knocks on Harris, pointing to his age or the fact he is a four-year senior. Those can certainly be factors in some profiles but should not be discouraging when evaluating Harris.
Travis Etienne, RB Clemson
Average Rank: 3.17
A little over a year ago, there was some debate about who would be the top back in the 2019 class. While Jonathan Taylor and D’Andre Swift were the favorites, Etienne was at least a contender – that made it even more surprising when he chose to return to Clemson. Unfortunately, that proved to be a poor decision for Etienne, who saw his rushing numbers drop by 700 yards from his junior season. He was more of a factor in the passing offense, however, catching 48 balls for 588 yards. Etienne does leave college as the ACC’s all-time leading rusher. With the right draft capital and landing spot, Etienne could be considered for the 1.01 pick in rookie drafts.
DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama
Average Rank: 4
The third player in our top four who rebuffed the draft process a year ago got the ultimate payoff for that decision as Smith returned to Alabama and became just the third wide receiver ever to win the Heisman Trophy. Despite concerns about his size and age, Smith is now projected to be drafted as highly as third overall in the NFL Draft, potentially reuniting him with former teammate Tua Tagovailoa. He plays much bigger than his 175-pound listing would suggest and can line up all over the field, even adding special teams ability. Based on our ranking’s averages, Smith is the last player in this tier.
TIER TWO
Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
Average Rank: 6
In many ways, Waddle is similar to his teammate Smith. Both are considered undersized wideouts who can lineup in any receiver position. Waddle has elite level speed, making him an explosive playmaker. Prior to his nasty fractured ankle after just four games this season, Waddle was in contention to be the first receiver drafted in the NFL – that likely won’t happen now, but he will present an excellent value in the middle of the first round in both the NFL and dynasty leagues. Waddle defied the odds when he returned to play in the National Title game against Ohio State, though he was clearly still bothered by the injury and was ineffective in his limited usage. Don’t let that performance fool you.
Kyle Pitts, TE Florida
Average Rank: 7.83
This season, Pitts was the focal point of the Florida offense and that includes Heisman Trophy finalist Kyle Trask. He already has some dynasty players and draftniks labeling him as the best tight end prospect of all-time. Those are big words, but they are understandable when looking at the entire profile. Whether you rely on film or metrics to assess incoming rookies, Pitts will wow you. Essentially used as a big wide receiver, he can go up and get the ball at anytime, making use of his 6’6” frame and he’s even an adequate blocker. Pitts is almost certain to be a top-ten NFL Draft pick and some dynasty players are even ready to make him their top overall pick in rookie drafts.
Rondale Moore, WR Purdue
Average Rank: 8
It has not been a smooth couple of years for Purdue’s Moore. Yet another undersized wideout, Moore set the college football world on fire as a true freshman, catching 114 passes for over 1,200 yards and 12 scores. Oh yeah, he also rushed for over 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Dynasty players were drooling at the idea of adding this playmaker to their rosters. Unfortunately, the hype died down after Moore missed much of his sophomore season with an injury and then even more time this year. Moore has logged just seven games in the past two seasons and his overall health profile will be a big question for NFL teams and dynasty players alike. If he can stay healthy, however, Moore will be a steal in the back-half of rookie drafts.
Javonte Williams, RB North Carolina
Average Rank: 8.5
Every single year brings multiple breakout players who seemingly come from nowhere to become first-round dynasty rookie picks. This year, North Carolina’s Javonte Williams headlines that group. In a year in which we knew the running back crop would be thin, Williams is stepping up to claim the crucial RB3 spot, with some wiggle room to improve on it. He is a powerful runner who improved and excelled despite the presence of fellow 2021 running back prospect Michael Carter. Williams is also a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield and will likely continue to gain value even in this deep class.
Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota
Average Rank: 8.67
At 6’1” and 210 pounds, Bateman fits the mold of an ideal alpha receiver in the league. Viewed as one of the toughest wideouts in the class, Bateman can simply do it all. He doesn’t possess elite speed, but separation has never been a concern. After a breakout sophomore season in which he overshadowed current Buccaneers receiver Tyler Johnson, Bateman opted out, back in and out again, playing just five disappointing games in 2020. Ultimately, that won’t be held against his profile as he is still a potential first-round pick.
Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson
Average Rank: 9.83
A year ago, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow ended up with a first-round rookie ADP, so there should be little doubt Lawrence could also be drafted in that range, even in single-QB leagues. Seemingly locked in as the top overall NFL Draft pick to the Jaguars, Lawrence will enter the league with a solid supporting cast and a new Head Coach, former Ohio State head man Urban Meyer. Simply put, Lawrence is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in league history. Expect the Clemson product to be valued as a top-eight dynasty option from day one, with some ready to rank him at the top of the crowded quarterback list.
Best of the rest…
Terrace Marshall, WR LSU
Kenneth Gainwell, RB Memphis
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR USC
Trey Sermon, RB Ohio State
Kadarius Toney, WR Florida
Justin Fields, QB Ohio State
Seth Williams, WR Auburn
Elijah Moore, WR Mississippi
Pat Freiermuth, TE Penn State
Tylan Wallace, WR Oklahoma State
Chuba Hubbard, RB Oklahoma State
Dyami Brown, WR North Carolina
Michael Carter, RB North Carolina
Brevin Jordan, TE Miami (FL)
Zach Wilson, QB BYU
Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson
Justin Fields, QB Ohio State
Najee Harris, RB Alabama
Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
Travis Etienne, RB Clemson
DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama
Zach Wilson, QB BYU
Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota
Kyle Pitts, TE Florida
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