2026 NFL Offensive & Defensive Rookie of the Year Power Rankings, Odds, Analysis

By Thomas Valentine | Jun 12, 2026, 8:50am

Will Anderson Jr., Justin Herbert, Ja’Marr Chase, and Micah Parsons. Just a few of the names to win Rookie of the Year in recent seasons. It’s not a complete predictor of success, but some of the biggest names in football started their NFL careers by taking home Offensive or Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Who’s in line to take home the awards this season, and will the winner go on to have as much success as some predecessors?

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Rankings

Jeremiyah Love, RB, ARI
Fernando Mendoza, QB, LVR
Carnell Tate, WR, TEN
Jordyn Tyson, WR, NOR
KC Concepcion, WR, CLE
Jadarian Price, RB, SEA
Makai Lemon, WR, PHI
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, NYJ
Carson Beck, QB, ARI
Antonio Williams, WR, WSH

Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals, RB)

Like Ashton Jeanty a year before him, Jeremiyah Love was touted as a generational running back prospect. The type of prospect you could feel comfortable taking in the top five of any given draft. The Cardinals picked the former Notre Dame running back with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—the highest a running back has been selected since Saquon Barkley was drafted second in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Love was arguably the top player in the 2026 NFL Draft and is the easy favorite for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. He rushed for 2768 yards and 35 touchdowns in his three seasons at Notre Dame, and added 57 receptions for 567 yards and five touchdowns. He’ll be the fulcrum of the Cardinals’ offense in year one.

Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas Raiders, QB)

Fernando Mendoza was the obvious number one pick in a draft class that wasn’t full of exceptional quarterbacks. Mendoza’s 2025 season with Indiana, where he won the Heisman and the National Championship, was enough to catapult him to the top of draft boards and into the Las Vegas Raiders’ lap.

Mendoza might not start the season for the Raiders, but it won’t be long until he’s taking snaps in the NFL. Smart, accurate, and strong-armed, Mendoza has all of the tools to succeed in the league. And as a quarterback, he’ll always have a leg up in awards voting. A strong 12-game stretch for Mendoza would be more than enough for him to win Rookie of the Year.

Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans, WR)

The Titans drafted a dawg in Carnell Tate. The former Ohio State receiver flew under the radar alongside the likes of Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Marvin Harrison Jr., but Tate has the potential to be a franchise wide receiver in his own right. Landing with the Titans and pairing with 2025 number one pick Cam Ward could make that happen.

Ward showed some real flashes in 2025, but it was clear that the Titans needed to put some weapons around him. They did that by drafting the technically sound Tate, who could feasibly earn over 100 targets in his first season in Tennessee. That potential for production means Tate will be right in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Jordyn Tyson (New Orleans Saints, WR)

Jordyn Tyson was the eighth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but if not for injuries, he could have been the first receiver off the board. The former Arizona State receiver has been plagued by injuries throughout his college career, but has always produced like an elite talent when on the field. Tyson caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, but still missed three games due to a hamstring injury.

Keeping him on the field will be a challenge, but Tyson could form an excellent partnership with Chris Olave on an offense pegged to take a step forward in 2026 after a promising 2025. Having Olave take away a lot of coverage means that Tyson might have an easier time than the likes of Tate. Naturally, that means more catches, yards, and touchdowns. That equals success.

KC Concepcion (Cleveland Browns, WR)

The Browns’ passing game is in a desperate spot. One of the worst units in the league in 2025, a major upgrade was needed in the offseason. That happened on paper. The offensive line is in a better spot, and the Browns drafted receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to bolster the receiving room. Concepcion was the team’s second first-round pick and could really be the one to make an impact.

Electric with the ball in his hands and blessed with blazing speed, Concepcion has all of the traits needed to succeed in the NFL—even if a little bit of refinement is necessary. If Concepcion is a major part of the offense in 2026, which he’ll likely be, then a big rookie season could be pending.

Jadarian Price (Seattle Seahawks, RB)

After dominantly winning the Super Bowl, the next big task for the Seahawks was to replace the departing running back Kenneth Walker in the 2026 NFL Draft. They did that, but a little earlier than anticipated. The Seahawks drafted Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the number 32 pick in the NFL Draft. Price is talented, but was the backup to Love in Notre Dame.

With Walker gone and Zach Charbonnet unlikely to be ready to start the season, Price is going to get an unlikely extended run as the Seahawks’ starting running back. Price is an excellent runner, averaging 6.1 yards per carry in his college career, but needs work as a pass-catcher. Regardless, Price’s rushing ability on a strong offense could carry him to Rookie of the Year

Makai Lemon (Philadelphia Eagles, WR)

When the Eagles drafted Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, there was a clear indication that they’d be moving on from A.J. Brown in the coming months. That finally happened in June, and in turn, immediately bumped Lemon up the depth chart. The former USC receiver projects as an excellent slot receiver in the NFL, with a similar play style to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Lemon just has a knack for catching the ball.

That’ll pair nicely with the accurate Jalen Hurts, though the Eagles’ quarterback will have to get better at attacking the middle of the field if he wants to get the best out of Lemon. If that happens, Lemon could be a major player on one of the NFL’s best offenses in 2026. Lemon is a vacuum for the football, and he could hoover up the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Kenyon Sadiq (New York Jets, TE)

Kenyon Sadiq is a certified freak. One of the better tight end prospects to enter the NFL in recent times, Sadiq could make a major splash for the Jets in 2026. The former Duck can catch the ball, create after the catch, and block in both phases of the game reliably. He’ll be a part of a Jets’ offense looking to take a step forward, and Sadiq can be a big facilitator of that renaissance.

Sadiq had the best season of his college career in 2025, catching 42 passes for 509 yards and eight touchdowns. He won’t be the first target for Geno Smith in the Jets’ offense—that’ll be Garrett Wilson—but Sadiq is still in an environment where he can succeed. Sadiq would be the first-ever tight end to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Carson Beck (Arizona Cardinals, QB)

The Cardinals are a team in flux. Mike LaFleur was brought in as the team’s new head coach and is tasked with rebuilding, right now, one of the worst teams in the NFL. Eventually, the Cardinals will draft a quarterback in the first round of a future draft, but veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is the man under center for the foreseeable future. If things go awry for Brissett, LaFleur could look to the team’s 2026 third-round pick, Carson Beck.

Beck has arm talent, but still has a lot of warts to be figured out. However, an extended run under center in his rookie season—with an offense full of weapons around him—could lead to a surprising run for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Antonio Williams (Washington Commanders, WR)

Antonio Williams was the Commanders’ third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but has the opportunity to make a sizable impact in his rookie season. Aside from Williams and Terry McLaurin, the Commanders are light on offensive weapons. Williams is slated to start in the slot for the Commanders and is someone who could shine in the middle of the field, especially when he needs to make defenders miss.

Though not the most talented rookie receiver in the class, Williams’ opportunity and chance to impress is as good as any. He’s catching passes from an excellent quarterback in Jayden Daniels, entering his third season, and the Commanders are looking to bounce back from a down season in 2025.

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Rankings

Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, TMB
David Bailey, EDGE, NYJ
Arvell Reese, LB, NYG
Caleb Downs, DB, DAL
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, LAC
Sonny Styles, LB, WSH
Mansoor Delane, CB, KNC
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, MIA
C.J. Allen, LB, IND
Dillon Thieneman, S, CHI

Rueben Bain Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, EDGE)

Reuben Bain was one half of the best pass-rushing duo in all of college football in 2025. Bain and Akheem Mesidor combined for 122 pressures and 22 sacks as the Hurricanes progressed to the National Championship for the first time since 2001. Bain got significant buzz as a potential top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but fell to the Buccaneers with the 15th overall pick.

Bain’s length was a hot topic during the NFL Combine and draft process, but it’s hard to deny his talent. An extremely powerful force off the edge, Bain generated 132 pressures in three seasons and should be a success in the NFL, starting with his rookie season, where he’s the current favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.

David Bailey (New York Jets, EDGE)

No defender had more pressures than David Bailey in 2025. The Texas Tech star had a breakout season in his first and only season with the Red Raiders after transferring from Stanford. Bailey led the nation with 73 pressures in the regular season and was promptly drafted by the Jets with the number two overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Bailey enters a defense in need of firepower, and the weight of expectation is going to feel heavy. However, a real pass-rusher with a growing fondness for attacking the run, Bailey is going to be a productive player in the first year of his NFL career. He’s powerful, fast, and is likely putting offensive linemen in fits.

Arvell Reese (New York Giants, LB)

It was something of a surprise that the Giants drafted Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It was equally surprising that Reese fell to the fifth pick in the first place, but now he joins a defense that is already blessed with pass-rushing talent. Reese joins Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux on a defense that was 25th in total EPA allowed in 2025, per Sumer Sports.

Reese will likely line up as an off-ball linebacker, or in a joker role similar to where he played with Ohio State, but will still have the chance to rush the quarterback at every opportunity. That’s where the potential lies. Reese is a physical specimen and could flash his potential across the defense from the first defensive snap of the season.

Caleb Downs (Dallas Cowboys, S)

The Cowboys’ defense finished dead last in total EPA allowed in the 2025 NFL season and was in desperate need of rejuvenation this offseason. The front office acted swiftly, making several key moves to improve the defense, including drafting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the team’s first-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft. Downs was strongly viewed as one of the best prospects in the draft, but fell to positional value.

That’ll be the Cowboys’ gain. Downs is a smart, tough-tackling safety that fits the mould of a versatile defender that can play in the box, in the slot, or as a deep half or third safety. He’s going to be a game-changer for the Cowboys’ defense.

Akheem Mesidor (Los Angeles Chargers, EDGE)

Akheem Mesidor enters the league as a rookie with a wealth of experience. The 25-year-old spent six seasons in college, and four with the Miami Hurricanes, where he formed one of the most dominant edge rusher partnerships in recent history with Bain. Injuries plagued Mesidor throughout college, but he played in 15 games in 2025 and totalled 55 pressures, per PFF, and 12.5 sacks en route to the National Championship.

Now, Mesidor is paired with one of the greatest pass-rushers of all-time in Khalil Mack and joins a Chargers’ defense stocked with talent. That’s a boost for Mesidor. He doesn’t need to come in and play every snap, but he can be utilized as a designated pass-rusher and rack up the pressures and sacks early on.

Sonny Styles (Washington Commanders, LB)

Sonny Styles was the second of the excellent Ohio State defensive stars to be drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. An incredibly athletic linebacker with the prerequisite length and range to succeed in the NFL, Styles could be one of the league’s next best linebackers in a position that’s fallen by the wayside in recent seasons.

Styles rocked the NFL Combine with some otherworldly testing numbers, and if those numbers can translate to the field, he’ll be a hit in the NFL. There are areas of his game that need growth—which is natural for a rookie—but if Styles can frequently make splash plays, he’ll be in with a shout.

Mansoor Delane (Kansas City Chiefs, CB)

The Chiefs began retooling their cornerback room early in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading away superstar cornerback Trent McDuffie and letting Jaylen Watson walk in free agency. That was accomplished by selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the sixth overall pick in the draft, after trading up from the ninth spot.

Delane is a smooth but slight cornerback with surprising speed to keep up with top NFL receivers. Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has a knack for getting the most out of cornerbacks, and Delane should be no exception. He’ll likely draw the top assignment every week, and strong performances could see him replicate the likes of Sauce Gardner and Marshon Lattimore by winning Defensive Rookie of the Year as a cornerback.

Jacob Rodriguez (Miami Dolphins, LB)

The Dolphins made the surprising choice to draft Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the 43rd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Rodriguez was a star in college, winning the Butkus award given to the best linebacker in the nation, and the Chuck Bednarik award presented to the nation’s top defender. Naturally, Rodriguez comes with a pedigree.

Pairing him with Jordyn Brooks, a top linebacker in the league, is going to give the Dolphins’ defense lacking some edge, a little more punch. Rodriguez can make plays all over the field and will be a tackle machine at the next level. Carson Schwesinger was the first off-ball linebacker to win the award since Shaquille Leonard in 2018. Can Rodriguez make it two in a row at the position?

C.J. Allen (Indianapolis Colts, LB)

After receiving ample buzz as a potential first-round pick, Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen eventually fell to the second round, where he was picked up by the Indianapolis Colts with the 53rd overall pick. A fundamentally sound linebacker who plays with an explosive pop, Allen is going to make moves for the Colts at the second level.

The Colts have some strong recent history at off-ball linebacker, with Leonard and Zaire Franklin both earning Pro Bowl selections while commandeering the defense. Like Leonard in 2018, can Allen win Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Colts?

Dillon Thieneman (Chicago Bears, S)

Grabbing Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman with the 25th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was a steal for the Chicago Bears. After moving on from Jaquan Brisker in free agency, the Bears needed to make a move to upgrade their secondary, and they managed to do it by adding, arguably, the best deep safety in the class.

Thieneman is a killer athlete who can hit hard and move fast. He’s like a hammer looking for a nail, and he’ll be one of the NFL’s top safeties in no time. A strong season on a Bears’ defense looking to improve from an up-and-down season could thrust him into Rookie of the Year talk.

Photo Credit: AP/John Locher