The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone. Now that this phase of the NFL offseason has ended, it’s on to fantasy football drafts for many leagues. That will often start with dynasty drafts both startup and rookie drafts. We’ll have you covered with our dynasty rookie draft rankings and advice to help you dominate your leagues. Here’s a look at a few dynasty rookie draft prospects our experts love as late-round lottery tickets.
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Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice: Lottery Tickets to Draft
Eli Raridon (TE – NE)
Eli Raridon arrives in New England after getting drafted in the third round. He has a shot to be the immediate TE2 on the roster behind only Hunter Henry, with only Julian Hill and CJ Dippre as his main competition. Hunter Henry is a free agent after the 2026 season, so the runway is clear for Raridon to get substantial playing time in 2026 and walk into 2027 as the team’s unquestioned starter. I’ll be drafting him heavily in the second round of rookie dynasty drafts.
Cole Payton (QB – PHI)
Cole Payton unfortunately fell to the fifth round of the NFL Draft, but he landed in a really nice spot to sit and develop. I won’t dismiss that he could be the eventual successor to Jalen Hurts in Philly. Yes, Payton will be the QB4 on the depth chart to begin the year, but Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are unrestricted free agents after the 2026 season. That could easily leave Payton as Philly’s QB2 entering the 2027 season. Philly is tied to Hurts for the next two seasons with an out after the 2027 season with a 24.3 million dollar dead cap hit. I loved Payton as a prospect, and with no quarterbacks getting drafted earlier than the third round in this year’s draft, Payton will be my QB3 when it’s all said and done. I’d rather bet on his talent and traits over other flawed quarterback prospects that received middling but better draft capital.
Matt Hibner (TE – BAL)
Hibner has a solid set of mitts. Over the last two years, he has had a 56.2% contested catch rate. He’ll lose a few at the point of contract, but he has the athleticism to continue to grow in the area. Hibner dropped only two of his collegiate targets, and both were of the concentration variety. Hibner has a 9.25 RAS, a 94th percentile vertical jump, a 4.57 40-yard dash time, and a 72nd percentile shuttle. His big-time athleticism shows up on his film. He was 27th and 4th in YAC/reception over the last two years. Hibner isn’t a mauler after the catch, but he has the speed to outrun defenders in the open field and on crossing routes and up the seam. He’s a legit vertical threat down the seam and on deep over routes. I question how high his target earning ceiling is, but he should post nice per-route metrics in the NFL, as he’ll get chunk plays when he is targeted. He’s a linear athlete. You won’t see many players where Hibner is juking someone out, but he can easily burn them to the sideline and scorch them. He has fluid hips and the ability to adjust in the air and to targets outside of his frame. Good initial punch as a blocker. Tenacious. He’ll reestablish his feet during a snap with a good second effort. He will dip his head and lunch at defenders. He’ll get crushed in the NFL if he doesn’t get out of his habit. Could see snaps for Baltimore sooner than later given the makeup of their TE room.
Barion Brown (WR – NO)
Barion Brown was a late-Day 3 Saints pick at No. 190, so the draft capital is modest and points to a developmental profile rather than an immediate featured role. New Orleans is still a workable landing spot, though, because the depth chart is light behind Chris Olave and the staff should have reasons to manufacture touches for Brown’s speed and return-game impact.
Kendrick Law (WR – DET)
Kendrick Law enters the 2026 rookie class as a late-Day 3 dynasty flier after going No. 168 overall to Detroit. The draft capital says “depth-chart lottery ticket,” not instant starter, but the Lions’ offense gives him a real path to a role if he earns trust as a versatile, after-the-catch option.
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