Dynasty Fantasy Football: Heath Cummings' updated top 12 rookies after Day 2 of the NFL Draft

CBS Sports Headlines4h ago3 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

After Day 2 of the NFL Draft, the outlook for rookie picks in Dynasty Fantasy Football has worsened, with no running backs selected in Round 2. Teams should consider trading back into the top six of this year's draft or acquiring future draft capital.

Key points

No running backs were drafted in Round 2 of the NFL Draft.
Emmett Johnson and others saw their stock downgraded.
Teams should consider trading up for better draft positions.
De'Zhaun Stribling was drafted, but excitement is low.
The outlook for late first and early second-round picks is grim.

Kirby Lee

After Thursday night it really felt like things were shaping up well for teams that had a late first or early second in 2026 Dynasty Fantasy Football rookie drafts. That was mostly because Ty Simpson and Jadarian Price surprisingly went in Round 1 of the NFL Draft which all but guaranteed they would be first round picks in rookie drafts. I was feeling more optimistic about rookie picks. Then Day 2 happened.

We did not get one single running back in Round 2, that was the first warning sign. Downgrade Emmett Johnson, Mike Washington, Jonah Coleman, and Nick Singleton. Then high-upside wide receivers Chris Brazzell, Elijah Sarratt, and Chris Bell fell as well. Instead, We saw De'Zhaun Stribling drafted to start Day 2 and a run on tight ends that we don't really think will matter for Dynasty. We also saw Carson Beck and Drew Allar drafted, which excited almost no one.

All of this is to say that I really don't feel good at all about the back half of Round 1, or Round 2 rookie picks. if you possess those, I would suggest loading up to get into the top six of this year's draft, trying to turn those picks into vets, or seeing if you can acquire 2027 draft capital. This is particularly true if you are looking for a running back.

By far the biggest riser since my pre-draft rankings is Price. He looks like he will open the year as the lead running back for the defending Super Bowl champions and his first round draft capital gives him at least a little bit of insulation. Still, he is a risky bet as a running back who spent his college career as a backup. It is possible Emanuel Wilson or George Holani take too many touches. It is also possible Zach Charbonnet becomes the starter when he gets healthy.

The other thing I would tell you is that you can put the bottom five players in my top 12 in just about any order you like. I would have no problem with Simpson or Kenyon Sadiq going 1.08 depending on what your team needs. I don't expect anyone from Day 3 is climbing into my top 12 but if Emmett Johnson gets drafted early in Round 4 by a team with a need at running back I may make an exception

Q&A

What happened on Day 2 of the NFL Draft that affected rookie picks?

No running backs were selected in Round 2, leading to a negative outlook for rookie picks in Dynasty Fantasy Football.

Which players saw their stock drop after Day 2 of the NFL Draft?

Emmett Johnson, Mike Washington, Jonah Coleman, and Nick Singleton all experienced a downgrade in their stock.

What should Dynasty Fantasy Football managers do with late first or early second-round picks?

Managers should consider trading up into the top six of this year's draft or acquiring 2027 draft capital due to the disappointing results from Day 2.

Who were the notable players drafted on Day 2 of the NFL Draft?

De'Zhaun Stribling, Carson Beck, and Drew Allar were among the notable players drafted, but their impact on Dynasty Fantasy Football is viewed as minimal.