The consensus rookie rankings at Footballguys are one of the strongest features we produce each season. However, despite embedded commentary, the consensus rankings can be light on context. If you look carefully, you can see tiers, but it can be difficult to compare players within their position and across multiple positions.

Knowing Player X is the consensus RB3 is clear from the rankings. Knowing how nearly Player X was to being ranked RB2 or RB6, or how Player X compares to the WR5 or TE1 or LB2 is much less clear.

I prefer a more visual approach, one that tiers players by position but also shows the value of one position relative to another across my draft board.

NOTES ON THE DRAFT BOARD

• The first version of this feature is based on limited information. Coaching comments, mini-camp observations, debate within the fantasy community, and the clarity that comes from testing this board in my own drafts will bring changes to future versions.
• I build this draft board with the following league parameters in mind: 12-14 teams, PPR, balanced IDP scoring, and full IDP lineups that include defensive tackles and cornerbacks. The commentary that follows the draft board will sometimes address modifications for leagues that provide bonuses for tight end scoring, big play IDP systems, etc.
• There may be more than 12-14 players listed in a given draft round. That's a function of the tiered approach. It's also a natural reflection of the wide range of ADP valuations we always see as a rookie draft moves into the deeper rounds. In some years, there may be fewer than 10-12 players in a draft round. Drafting trends may change from year to year, but it’s important to recognize when to trade for a future pick than to reach for a clearly less valuable talent now.
• This board reflects my personal drafting philosophy. I prioritize upside over floor within tiers. I'm willing to accept a higher bust risk in all rounds. I prefer to draft players who are likely to be successful sooner if other variables are equal. And I'm not afraid to trust my evaluations of defensive players and draft a second-tier IDP over a third-tier offensive prospect -- regardless of positional scarcity.
• The offensive columns of this draft board are informed by the in-depth process and work of Matt Waldman, Matt Harmon, Sigmund Bloom, Cecil Lammey, as well as Josh Norris, Dane Brugler, Mark Schofield, Emory Hunt, Evan Silva, J.J. Zachariason, Gary Davenport, and many others. I have also relied on the rankings of Bob Henry, John Norton, and Jason Wood at Footballguys for years. If you have other evaluators on your shortlist and they differ greatly from this board, tweak accordingly.

The draft board is designed to be read from top to bottom and left to right. Each position is tiered from top to bottom in its own column. Separations within the columns represent relative tiers and the players are ranked by preference within those tiers. Relative value between positions can be tracked from left to right. The "suggested" draft rounds are based on my view of a player's value, with some consideration given to keeping the number of players with a given draft round grade to a reasonable total.

Positional commentaries can be found after the draft board.

CLICK HERE to download an Excel file to modify this draft board to better fit your player evaluations, draft philosophy, and league parameters.

2021 Combined Draft Board

CLICK HERE to download an Excel file to modify this draft board to better fit your player evaluations, draft philosophy, and league parameters.

THE BIG PICTURE

The consensus among fantasy analysts is that this year's group of rookie prospects is thin. Over the past seasons, I've done less personal analysis and used a consensus opinion of trusted writers to form my own draft board -- so I'm inclined to agree with that assessment.

But that doesn't mean the 2021 rookie class is full of duds. And that leaves room for varying strategies.

When you don't feel strongly about a rookie class, you can trade picks for veteran players, trade current picks for future picks, or trade later-round picks for early-round selections. Unfortunately, when the consensus opinion is less than inspiring, your leaguemates are likely to feel the same.

So these drafts become "shoot your shot" drafts. At some point in your draft, you'll be looking at a list of players you may have difficulty getting excited about. Err on the side of high-risk, high-reward talents. Ignore ADP and grab players earlier than the rankings or tiers may suggest.

This draft is deep at quarterback and linebacker. The list of draftable names at wide receiver is considerable but every player but one has questions to be answered.

Lawrence, Lance, and Fields all offer upside on varying timelines. The surrounding cast and scheme in San Francisco set Lance up for the highest success -- if he can move Jimmy Garoppolo to the backup role quickly. Fields has the best combination of pocket skill and mobility but don't expect Lamar Jackson numbers until 2022, if ever. Mills is your most cost-effective mid-round target.

This group of running backs is not inspiring. You'll have to be patient with any player you draft from this group -- even Harris behind an unusually suspect Pittsburgh offensive line. Rhamondre Stevenson and Khalil Herbert are your most likely undervalued targets as the draft progresses.

The 1.01 in rookie drafts looks like a competition between Kyle Pitts and Chase. You won't go wrong with either selection. After Chase, every player on the board has a meaningful question facing them. Still, with the dearth of options at running back, you'll be throwing multiple darts at the wide receiver and linebacker columns this year.

It's not often you'll see a tight end in consideration for a first-round rookie pick. The combination of Pitts' talent and a lack of stud options at running back and wide receiver make Pitts a favorite to go 1.01 in many drafts. Freiermuth is the only other tight end worth discussing in the top 50 selections.

Barmore is the only prospect worth drafting. The rest belong on a watch list. Undrafted free agent Wilson could prove to be the best fantasy option on this list if he makes Cleveland's roster.

There isn't an immediate difference-maker in this group with Jaelan Phillips likely to be classified as a linebacker. If you're convinced someone has a better-than-average shot at 45 solo, 12 sack upside, it's worth pulling the trigger in the first 40 picks. But I see too much talent at linebacker and wide receiver to be reaching for any edge player in the first three rounds this year.

There will be double-digit sack production in time from multiple players on this list. Outside of Phillips, every player here needs an improved pass rush plan. Many aren't likely to see more than 500-600 snaps until 2022. Be ready to move on the bottom half of this list should reports of an impressive training camp surface.

And I thought last year's linebacker group was deep.

There were four players with long-term LB1 upside in last year's class. The depth of the class was in the later tiers, where multiple players looked like developmental talents with every-down upside.

This year, there are six players who project to every-down snaps by the end of 2021. All have the talent to put up 90 solos or better. I have them separated into two tiers but will not quibble if you like any of the second-tier talents at the end of the first round. Derrick Barnes and Jabril Cox are likely to earn every-down roles by opening weekend in 2022 and will ascend sooner with injury or poor play by the veterans currently ahead of them.

Jaelan Phillips is worth a top 25 pick in sack-heavy scoring systems.

Same advice, new season. You're looking for aggressive tacklers with elite ball skills and a path to immediate playing time. There are no obvious options with immediate 60 solo, 15 pass defensed players. I've listed the most attractive options for deeper leagues.