This article is part of our Dynasty Strategy series.
Here is an updated 1QB league dynasty ranking list for the 2021 rookie class. There are still some upcoming pro days that could dictate further changes, but the picture is generally settling into place.
Tier 1
- Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
- Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
- Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
This is a new high for me listing Pitts, who I previously had in Tier 2. After thinking more about the depth of the wide receiver class, it occurred to me I'd rather buy volume at wide receiver at this point than pay a premium for specific names when we don't know where they'll play. Whereas a dud landing spot could set back a top prospect like Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith for years while a Tylan Wallace or Nico Collins type could thrive if landing in a fortunate spot, Pitts is landing-proof and singular for his talent. So I'd rather take Pitts in the top five and hammer wide receiver after that than take an otherwise talented wideout who might get stuck with a 3,500-yard quarterback.
- Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
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Tier 2
- Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
I'm not as high on Harris as most, but the wide receiver depth consideration that I mentioned with Pitts applies to Harris as well, because RB draft capital falls off so drastically after him. I would try to trade Harris if I owned him, probably for multiple wide receivers.
- Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
- DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
- Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
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Tier 3
- Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
I'm open to moving Marshall and Bateman into Tier 2 depending on how they test at their pro days.
- Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
- Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi
I previously listed Moore significantly lower than this, but after timing under 4.4 in the 40 and measuring in at 5-foot-10 he probably proved he can play outside in the NFL, and if he can play outside his upside is enormous. As a great underneath target it's also possible that Moore is more QB-proof than some of the other top receiver prospects.
- Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
- Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
- Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
Collins killed it at his pro day at 6-4, 215 (4.43 40, 6.71 three cone), making him the draft's premier big wideout. I think he's better than Michael Pittman from last year.
- Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Wilson's fans strike me as hysterical and I think his valuation is wrong, so if I owned him I would trade him.---------
Tier 4
- Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
I list Toney here mostly in acknowledgment of his market -- I personally rate the other WRs in this tier higher than him, but you can probably get more for Toney in the trade market in most cases.
- Tamorrion Terry, WR, Florida State
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
I still like St. Brown a lot, but if his speed was timed around the 4.6 range then he primarily projects as a slot receiver and there's a surplus of capable slot receivers at the moment.
- Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
- Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
- Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
- Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State
- Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
- Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
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Tier 5
- Josh Imatorbhebhe, WR, Illinois
- Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas
- Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
- Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
- Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
- Javian Hawkins, RB, Louisville
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Tier 6
- Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
- Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
- Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
- Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami (FL)
- Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State
- Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina
- Pooka Williams, WR, Kansas
- Antonio Nunn, WR, Buffalo
- D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
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Tier 7
- Chris Evans, RB, Michigan
- Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma
- Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
- Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State
- Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
- Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
- Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
- Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia
- Feleipe Franks, QB, Arkansas
