3 Rookies to Avoid (2026 Fantasy Football)

Everyone loves rookies in fantasy football. They often save their best production for the end of the year, when they’ve adapted more to the professional game, endearing themselves to fantasy managers for being league winners.

But as the community becomes increasingly enamored with rookies, we often see their average draft position (ADP) pushed up to the point where they’re overpriced.

In this column, we’re going to focus on three rookies to avoid due to their high costs. We’re not including injured rookies, like Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon. Jeremiyah Love is also not on this list because I’m interested in drafting him this season, high-ankle sprain and all.

Fantasy Football Rookies to Avoid

Carnell Tate (WR – TEN)

The fantasy football community seems to have forgotten that, heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, there was a lot of debate about who should be the first wide receiver off the board. While Carnell Tate was the more popular pick, some preferred Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon. Tate ultimately went to the Titans at No. 4 overall.

Everyone loves it when a wideout has such premium draft capital, which is why Tate has been bumped up in drafts. But this isn’t your typical fourth overall receiver.

Usually, wideouts who are taken that high are the clear-cut best in their class. However, that’s not the case with Tate. You can make the argument that the Titans reached, focused on getting a top target for second-year signal-caller Cam Ward.

To that end, I think the market is overvaluing draft capital here. Tate often goes around Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze. I’d much rather have those third-year wideouts.

I understand that Tate is in a spot where he can emerge as the top target for the Titans, but there are still some question marks around Ward, plus the Titans’ offensive line is projected to be bad. We could easily see Wan’Dale Robinson lead the team in targets.

I’m avoiding Tate at his current cost.

Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – NYJ)

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Omar Cooper Jr. goes so late in drafts, so how is he a rookie to avoid? Well, I like to make the best use of each of my picks. I don’t want any zeroes, especially if I’m playing best ball.

Cooper has gotten off to a slow start in camp, with reports indicating that he may be fourth on the depth chart, behind Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Isaiah Williams.

That’s not a good sign for a rookie. Of course, he can eventually work his way up, but this is likely going to result in a slow start. Do you really want to stash a non-contributor for the first part of the season? I’d much rather take a shot on Mitchell instead, who is reportedly showing terrific rapport with Geno Smith so far.

Remember, it’s important to make every pick count, whether you’re playing in a shallow redraft, a large-field best ball tournament, or a deeper league with larger rosters.

Demond Claiborne (RB – MIN)

Here’s another player who is going undrafted in most leagues, but I wanted to compile a list of rookies to avoid that covers all formats, not just shallow leagues.

Demond Claiborne is a sixth-round rookie who is currently third on the depth chart, behind Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones. While I understand that there is some excitement about the Vikings’ revamped running game, you don’t want to risk taking a zero by drafting Claiborne.

If I wanted to take a rookie running back who is third on the depth chart, I’d rather go with Nicholas Singleton of the Titans.