The 2026 Rookie Draft Walkthrough

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Hello everyone and welcome to the 2026 Rookie Draft Walkthrough. This will be the 4th edition of the Walkthrough column which has existed effectively as long as this newsletter. If you are a new reader, the goal of this column is to take you beyond the rankings into my mindset as I attempt to proactively attack a rookie draft (or a portfolio of rookie drafts) from all angles. The rookie draft is a special time for dynasty league managers. Sure, you get to select a handful of players, but more importantly it’s a period of time in the off-season that your entire league is engaged and active. It’s an incredible opportunity to not only make rookie picks, but make trades involving picks or veterans. The sharpest dynasty managers don’t simply pick their highest ranked player when they come up on the clock. They enter drafts with a plan to target specific tiers and players, and to survey all their options. This column lays out my plan for drafts this year, and I hope it assists you in building yours. Read more