The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, shifting the spotlight to the upcoming regular season. FanDuel’s opening market for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2026-27) features a tight field of candidates, with only 10 offensive skill players selected in the first round.
Top Contenders for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
The race for Offensive Rookie of the Year is already taking shape, with four top-10 picks emerging as the primary candidates. Here’s a breakdown of the leading odds and their chances:
Arizona Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love (+320)
The favorite in FanDuel’s opening market is Jeremiyah Love, the electrifying Notre Dame running back selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals. Love is expected to receive immediate touches as a key piece of Arizona’s revamped offense. However, his candidacy faces hurdles, including an unsettled quarterback situation and a reshaped offensive line.
Historical context adds pressure: no running back has won Rookie of the Year since Saquon Barkley in 2018, despite seven rookie runners surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in seasons since. Love will likely need exceptional production to overcome these challenges and secure the award.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza (+380)
Close behind Love is Fernando Mendoza, the top overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. In a draft class light on quarterbacks, Mendoza could be the only rookie QB to start every game. While he’ll see early action, Mendoza must deliver strong numbers to stand out.
Last season’s top pick, Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans, played nearly every game but failed to crack the top five in AP voting due to a lackluster supporting cast. Still, quarterbacks have claimed four of the last seven Rookie of the Year awards, giving Mendoza a realistic path to victory if he excels.
Tennessee Titans WR Carnell Tate (+650) and New Orleans Saints WR Jordyn Tyson (+750)
Wide receivers are also in the mix, with Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson emerging as credible candidates. Receivers have won three of the last seven Rookie of the Year awards, including Tatairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers last season, who opened as a distant fourth option.
Tate, selected by the Titans, could benefit from a potential upgrade at quarterback if Ward is replaced. Tyson, drafted by the Saints, may see significant early targets in New Orleans’ evolving offense. Both players have the upside to challenge for the award.
Seattle Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (+1000) and Philadelphia Eagles WR Makai Lemon (+1200)
Jadarian Price, the Seattle Seahawks’ replacement for Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, presents an intriguing case. Price, who backed up Love at Notre Dame, faces uncertainty about his workload in Seattle’s backfield. His path to Rookie of the Year may depend on securing enough touches to compete with frontrunners.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Makai Lemon (+1200) could see his opportunities shaped by a potential trade of star receiver A.J. Brown. Even if Brown is dealt, Lemon’s role might be limited in a crowded Eagles receiving corps, making his rookie-year impact less certain.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Race
- Running backs face an uphill battle: No RB has won since 2018, despite multiple 1,000-yard rookie seasons post-Barkley.
- Quarterbacks hold historical advantage: Four of the last seven winners were QBs, giving Mendoza a statistical edge.
- Wide receivers are in play: Three of the last seven awards went to WRs, including McMillan in 2025.
- Workload and supporting casts matter: Players like Price and Lemon must overcome team dynamics to rise in the rankings.
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