{"id":7716,"date":"2026-09-08T20:34:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/?p=7716"},"modified":"2026-09-08T20:48:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:48:55","slug":"qfl-deuce-rookie-draft-review-the-winners-losers-and-head-scratchers-of-the-rookie-only-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/2026\/09\/08\/qfl-deuce-rookie-draft-review-the-winners-losers-and-head-scratchers-of-the-rookie-only-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 QFL Deuce Rookie-Only Fantasy Draft Grades"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first round was dominated by the obvious rookie studs: Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon and KC Concepcion<\/strong>. That tracks closely with current rookie consensus, where Love is the clear 1.01 and Tate\/Price\/Lemon\/Concepcion are all near the top of the class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the real story of this draft is what happened in Round 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

1. Catch 42 \u2014 A+<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Jeremiyah Love
Round 2:<\/strong> Ja’Kobi Lane<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is how you draw it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love at 1.01 is essentially the perfect start. He’s currently the consensus rookie RB1 and sits at or near the top of virtually every major rookie ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Catch 42 comes back with Lane, who has legitimate upside as a WR. The second pick isn’t as sexy as Love, but it’s a very nice complement to an elite first-round cornerstone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verdict:<\/strong> Best combination of floor and upside in the draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: A+<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2. MDW \u2014 A<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Jadarian Price
Round 2:<\/strong> Jonah Coleman<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MDW went RB-RB<\/strong>, and I’m not mad at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price is a premium rookie asset and currently ranks among the top few rookies in most consensus rankings. Coleman is also getting significant sleeper buzz, with Matthew Berry specifically highlighting him as a late-round value because of his potential opportunity in Denver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concern is positional concentration. You’re betting heavily on two rookie RBs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if both hit, this could be the most valuable backfield pairing from the entire draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3. Bald Eagles \u2014 A<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Carnell Tate
Round 2:<\/strong> Caleb Douglas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tate was an excellent selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He’s widely viewed as one of the elite players in this rookie class, with some rankings making him the overall WR1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Douglas is a more speculative second-round pick, but that’s exactly what you should be doing after securing a player like Tate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Eagles didn’t chase positional need\u2014they chased upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

4. Mad Bombers \u2014 A-<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Jordyn Tyson
Round 2:<\/strong> Ted Hurst<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tyson is a fantastic first-round pick. He’s generally ranked inside the top handful of rookies, although his injury history creates some additional risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurst is where this draft gets interesting. He’s not in the same tier as Tyson, but he’s exactly the kind of second-round swing that can pay off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bombers are betting on two WRs with considerable upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: A-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

5. Qoonies \u2014 A-<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Makai Lemon
Round 2:<\/strong> Kenyon Sadiq<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love the strategy<\/strong> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lemon is one of the premier receivers in the class, while Sadiq is arguably the most intriguing rookie TE available. Current rankings generally have Sadiq as TE1 among rookies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The downside is that rookie tight ends can take time to develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if Sadiq hits, this team has two players who could appreciate substantially in dynasty value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: A-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

6. Vega’s \u2014 B+<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> KC Concepcion
Round 2:<\/strong> Mike Washington Jr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concepcion at this point in the draft is very defensible. He’s consistently ranked inside the top rookie WR tier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington is the swing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He’s an intriguing RB prospect, but you’re giving up some certainty compared with players who were available around that range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, the first-round pick gives this team a strong foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: B+<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

7. Bloody Sheeps \u2014 Incomplete \/ C<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Pick appears to have been traded to Enemy \u2014 Fernando Mendoza
Round 2:<\/strong> Pick appears to have been traded to MDW \u2014 Elijah Sarratt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the hardest team to grade because it looks like Bloody Sheeps traded away both selections<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that’s correct, then the grade depends entirely on what Bloody Sheeps received in those trades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mendoza himself is an interesting fantasy QB prospect, but QB generally carries less rookie-draft value in a standard 1-QB format. Current rankings have him considerably below the elite rookie skill players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarratt is more of a dart throw. Current rookie rankings have him outside the top tier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the trades brought back meaningful future assets:<\/strong> this grade could rise dramatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: C for the draft itself; TBD on the trades<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

8. Portland \u2014 B<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Denzel Boston<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assuming \u201cPortland Boston\u201d means Portland selected Denzel Boston, this is a good, not spectacular, opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boston is consistently regarded as a top-10-to-15 rookie WR depending on the ranking source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that we don’t have a clear second-round selection listed for Portland, so I’m not giving them credit for a player I can’t confidently assign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: B<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

9. Skyline \u2014 B+<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> De’Zhaun Stribling
Round 2:<\/strong> Omar Cooper<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This team could be much better than people think<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stribling is one of the biggest risers in the entire rookie class. He’s generated serious preseason buzz and has been mentioned as a potential Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooper gives Skyline another WR with upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a high-variance roster construction, but I’m buying the upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: B+<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

10. Enemy \u2014 B<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Fernando Mendoza
Round 2:<\/strong> Kaelon Black<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the first team where I think the manager went too cute<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mendoza could absolutely become a useful fantasy QB, but in a rookie-only 1-QB draft, taking him this early means passing on premium RB\/WR assets. Current rankings put him well behind Love, Tate, Price, Lemon, Tyson and several other skill players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black is a nice upside swing in Round 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But I would have preferred a stronger foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: B<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

11. TURDS \u2014 B+<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Chris Bell
Round 2:<\/strong> Antonio Williams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a sneaky-good draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bell isn’t one of the headline names, but he’s consistently ranked in the broader rookie WR conversation. Williams is another player with legitimate upside, and Washington’s offense gives him an interesting path to relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is simply that neither player gives you the immediate confidence of Love, Tate, Price or Lemon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, this is the kind of team that could look a lot better six months from now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: B+<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

12. America \u2014 B<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Chris Bell
Round 2:<\/strong> Zachariah Branch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Branch is the player that makes this draft interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He’s a highly regarded rookie WR prospect and appears around the back end of the top 20 in several consensus lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is the first-round investment in Bell when there were stronger players available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, Branch could eventually make this grade look silly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grade: B<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Final Draft Board<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Rank<\/th>Team<\/th>Grade<\/th>Quick Take<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1<\/strong><\/td>Catch 42<\/td>A+<\/strong><\/td>Love + Lane is outstanding<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/strong><\/td>MDW<\/td>A<\/strong><\/td>Elite RB upside, but concentrated<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/strong><\/td>Bald Eagles<\/td>A<\/strong><\/td>Tate gives them a superstar foundation<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/strong><\/td>Mad Bombers<\/td>A-<\/strong><\/td>Tyson is a great anchor<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/strong><\/td>Qoonies<\/td>A-<\/strong><\/td>Lemon + Sadiq is a great combo<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/strong><\/td>Vega’s<\/td>B+<\/strong><\/td>Concepcion gives them a strong start<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/strong><\/td>Skyline<\/td>B+<\/strong><\/td>Stribling could make this look great<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/strong><\/td>TURDS<\/td>B+<\/strong><\/td>Sneaky upside<\/td><\/tr>
9<\/strong><\/td>Enemy<\/td>B<\/strong><\/td>Mendoza was aggressive<\/td><\/tr>
10<\/strong><\/td>America<\/td>B<\/strong><\/td>Branch is the swing<\/td><\/tr>
11<\/strong><\/td>Portland<\/td>B<\/strong><\/td>Boston is solid, but incomplete<\/td><\/tr>
12<\/strong><\/td>Bloody Sheeps<\/td>C<\/strong><\/td>Impossible to fully judge without trade returns<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Draft Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Best Pick:<\/strong> Jeremiyah Love \u2014 Catch 42
Best Value:<\/strong> De’Zhaun Stribling \u2014 Skyline
Best Second-Round Pick:<\/strong> Kenyon Sadiq \u2014 Qoonies
Biggest Reach:<\/strong> Fernando Mendoza \u2014 Enemy
Most Interesting Team:<\/strong> MDW
Most Likely to Look Better Later:<\/strong> Skyline
Boom-or-Bust Team:<\/strong> Mad Bombers
Most Aggressive Strategy:<\/strong> Qoonies
Draft I Most Want to Revisit in December:<\/strong> Skyline<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall draft winner: Catch 42.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love was the obvious prize, but the reason Catch 42 gets the A+ rather than simply an A<\/strong> is that they didn’t overthink the first pick and then followed it with a player who has legitimate WR upside. On a curve, that’s the cleanest two-pick portfolio in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The first round was dominated by the obvious rookie studs: Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon and KC Concepcion. That tracks closely with current rookie consensus, where Love is the clear 1.01 and Tate\/Price\/Lemon\/Concepcion are all near the top of the class. But the real story of this draft is what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[459,21,19],"tags":[91],"class_list":["post-7716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2026-rookie-draft","category-qfl-deuce","category-qfl-nation-news","tag-rookie-draft-order"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7716"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7719,"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7716\/revisions\/7719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qballers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}