Once the first few picks are out of the way in the 2026 superflex rookie draft, things start to get really intriguing for our series. The top tier feels pretty set, but once you get into the middle of the first round, that’s where managers can explore different philosophies. Do you stay patient and grab value? Swing for upside? Trade out and pick up extra ammo?
That’s the idea behind this exercise. I pick up where Kyle Lesti left off after he dissected picks 1.01-1.04. If you’re on the clock from 1.05 through 1.08, here’s what I’m thinking with each pick, which prospects to target, and a few trade ideas to consider if you want to go a different route and shake things up.
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Superflex Rookie Draft: On the Clock
Pick 1.05
This is an absolute no-brainer in superflex. Kyle made this the easiest selection ever by going WR-WR-WR after Jeremiyah Love. If this were a real draft, I’d rush to the podium to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza here.
Much like in real life, quarterback is the most important position in superflex formats. You must have at least one stud if you want to contend for a championship — even better if you have two. It remains to be seen if Mendoza can be an elite talent at the next level, but he’s entering the league as hot as you possibly can. He led Indiana to an undefeated season, capping it off with a win against the Hurricanes of Miami in the National Championship. He also won the Heisman Trophy after a stellar senior year, one where he completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. The 22-year-old signal-caller also tacked on 276 yards and seven additional scores on the ground.
Fernando Mendoza‘s Collegiate Stats
Mendoza pairs a fast release with precise ball placement. Standing at 6’5”, he sees the field extremely well and excels at anticipatory throws. He’ll need to learn to play under center to progress into a well-rounded signal-caller, but he’s head and shoulders above his peers in this class.
In fantasy, Mendoza projects as a QB2 with room to go higher. He’s not the most mobile QB, but he can get out of the pocket and will sprinkle in some rushing yards here and there. He’ll need to be a heavy-volume thrower to reach QB1 heights, as is the case with most quarterbacks who don’t run the ball regularly.
Trade Thoughts
If you’re hellbent on taking a QB but aren’t sold on Mendoza, you could approach the Bo Nix or Brock Purdy managers and gauge their interest in a swap. If they’re sharp, they’ll ask for more, but even if you have to add a second-rounder or a FLEX player, that’s a win in my book.
Pick 1.06
This is where the draft gets interesting. Nearly everyone agrees on the top five rookies in this draft, no matter the order. However, 1.06 feels like the spot where managers could go in a multitude of directions. Want to keep the receiver run going? One could make a case for KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr., or Denzel Boston here. Maybe you’d like to land the potential top tight end? Kenyon Sadiq is available. Or perhaps you want to take a swing at the QB2 or RB2, whoever that may be?
Kenyon Sadiq‘s Advanced Metrics
For me, the best choice is Sadiq, especially in any type of Tight End Premium (TEP) scoring. The 6-foot-3-inch, 241-pounder from Oregon is built like the Pokémon Machamp (minus the second set of arms) and proved that his physique was no fluke at the NFL Combine. Sadiq tested out as the most athletic tight end among his peers, breaking the combine TE record with a 4.39 40-yard dash and posting a 43.5” vertical jump.
At only 21 years old, Sadiq is a tantalizing prospect who could be a major difference-maker on Sundays. He can run a variety of routes and can win at all three levels. The production was modest until his junior season, when he went off for 51 receptions totaling 60 yards and eight touchdowns. Given his athletic profile, Sadiq should be a fun, exciting player in the NFL, and that’s the direction I’d lean with this pick.
Trade Thoughts
This pick holds more power than you may think. There might be a manager who wants to move up to take their guy before he gets sniped. I’d consider moving down a couple of spots here if I got a 2027 second-rounder thrown in. Or I’d ask for players like Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, Baker Mayfield, or Sam LaPorta if I were looking for instant production from a veteran.
Pick 1.07
This is where real-life draft capital will start to sway fantasy managers’ opinions on remaining rookies. We have a good idea of the top players, but the NFL may tell us otherwise during the draft. That said, considering most dynasty leagues are full-PPR scoring, I’m going to go KC Concepcion with the seventh selection here.
At the NFL Combine, Concepcion measured in bigger than expected. He checked in at 6’0” and 196 pounds, solid measurements for such a twitchy dynamo with the ball in his hands. He also crushed the gauntlet drill, looking like a natural pass-catcher.
KC Concepcion‘s Collegiate Stats
The junior only played one season at Texas A&M, but made it count. He reeled in 61 passes for 919 yards and nine scores. He also added 75 yards and another touchdown on 10 carries in his final collegiate season.
Where the former three-star recruit wins is in space and the short areas of the field, where he can get his hands on the ball quickly. Concepcion is a wizard after the catch, consistently slipping past tacklers. If he lands with a creative player-caller, it’s not hard to envision Concepcion making an early impact. If someone doesn’t take him in the back half of Round 1, it won’t be long before he hears his name called in Round 2.
Trade Thoughts
If you’re a natural 1.07 pick but think your team is ready to compete, it might make sense to see if you can get some immediate output. You might be able to get back running backs like Kyren Williams or Travis Etienne Jr. in return for this pick. Pass catchers like Zay Flowers and Kyle Pitts are both only 25 years old, and are easy plug-and-play starters you probably could net in a straight-up swap for the 1.07.
Pick 1.08
Much like the 1.07, there are still a lot of players to choose from here. If another QB gets top 15 draft capital — potentially Ty Simpson — then he could be in play here. Same with tight end Eli Stowers, who also dominated the combine like Kenyon Saqiq and set positional records in the vertical jump (45.5”) and broad jump (11’3”). The RB2 could also go here; pick your flavor.
I’m going to stick with a deepest position in this draft and go with another WR — one who’s gained a ton of steam as of late: Omar Cooper Jr.
Omar Cooper Jr.’s Advanced Metrics
The 22-year-old progressed in each of his three seasons while at Indiana, increasing his yardage from 267 as a freshman to 594 as a sophomore to 937 as a junior. While he was sometimes overshadowed by fellow wideout Elijah Sarratt, who led the nation with 15 receiving TDs in 2025, Cooper Jr. was awesome in his own right. He caught 69 passes and led the Hoosiers in receiving yards. He also nabbed double-digit TDs, catching a baker’s dozen worth from Fernando Mendoza.
Compared to Deebo Samuel for his physical, smashmouth play, Cooper Jr. also showed off his speed at the combine when he clocked at 4.42 in the 40-yard dash. He excelled out of the slot this past season, but he’s versatile enough to line up all over the formation.
The end of Round 1 is looking like a possibility now for Cooper Jr. If he’s selected in that range, he will no doubt go in this area of rookie drafts as he creeps closer to the mid-first.
Trade Thoughts
With the pool of players available being relatively similar, this might be a good spot to pull a Bill Belichick and trade down to pick up additional assets. Maybe a move down to the 1.11-2.02 range could get you a FLEX player in return.
Players I’d consider coming off this pick straight up include RJ Harvey, Alec Pierce, or Kyler Murray.
Put a Bow on It
Kyle Lesti returns on March 31 to pick it up where I put it down, taking you through the picks, and your trading options for 1.09 through 1.12!
