The first round of the NFL draft is in the books, and the top contenders for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year have already heard their names called. That doesn't mean a Day 2 player can't win the highest rookie awards, but their chances are much slimmer compared to those picked Thursday.
Let's dive into the early favorites to win the top offensive and defensive rookie honors for the 2026 season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jeremiyah Love | +300 |
| Carnell Tate | +650 |
| Fernando Mendoza | +450 |
| Jordyn Tyson | +900 |
| Makai Lemon | +1000 |
| Jadarian Price | +1100 |
| Omar Cooper Jr. | +1800 |
| Kenyon Sadiq | +2200 |
| KC Concepcion | +2200 |
| Denzel Boston | +3000 |
🏈 Bet on the Offensive Rookie of the Year with theScore Bet here
While you'd typically see the quarterback who was selected first overall as the favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year, there's no guarantee that Mendoza will start for the Raiders. Las Vegas signed veteran Kirk Cousins in the offseason, and Mendoza could be holding a clipboard for a large portion of his first year in the NFL. Tom Brady, a part-owner of the Raiders, knows better than anyone about the importance of quarterback development and will do everything in his power to ensure that the team isn't rushing its rookie signal-caller onto the field before he's ready.
With Mendoza's playing time uncertain, running back Love is the early favorite to win OROY. In a surprise to many, the Cardinals selected Love third overall, immediately making him the highest-paid running back in guaranteed money.
Love's situation in Arizona feels very similar to Ashton Jeanty's experience last year in Las Vegas. Both teams lack stability at quarterback and spent a top-10 pick on a running back rather than prioritizing more important positions. The Cardinals still have a bad offensive line, and Jacoby Brissett is currently in line to start for them. Love may be a better prospect than Jeanty, but he'll have to carry a massive offensive load and overcome bad blocking to rack up the stats needed to win the award.
Tate is the second favorite to win OROY after being drafted by the Titans. The last three non-quarterback winners were all receivers, and Tate landed in a nice spot as the top option for second-year signal-caller Cam Ward. Tyson and Lemon also ended up in good situations that could lead to big seasons.
Selected by the Seahawks with the 32nd pick, Price might be the most interesting option on this list. With Kenneth Walker departing for the Chiefs in free agency, Price is pegged to become the starting running back for the defending Super Bowl champs. He should shoulder most of the workload until Zach Charbonnet returns from an ACL tear.
Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| David Bailey | +375 |
| Sonny Styles | +500 |
| Arvell Reese | +500 |
| Rueben Bain Jr. | +600 |
| Caleb Downs | +700 |
| Mansoor Delane | +800 |
| Malachi Lawrence | +1400 |
| Akheem Mesidor | +1400 |
| Chris Johnson | +2500 |
| Keldric Faulk | +2500 |
| Dillon Thieneman | +2500 |
🏈 Bet on the Defensive Rookie of the Year with theScore Bet here
Bailey was the second overall pick and fits the profile of a player who would win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Five of the past seven DPOY winners were pass-rushers, and Bailey is the cream of the crop in this class.
Reese might have been the favorite had the Giants not drafted him. He'll likely play as an off-ball linebacker in his first season, as New York is already flush with pass-rushing options in Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Styles has the potential to replicate the rookie success of fellow linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the reigning DPOY. He'll be playing in the heart of Washington's overhauled defense, and if Dan Quinn's group improves on that side of the ball, Styles' impact will be crucial. As Bobby Wagner's replacement, he has the opportunity to lead the Commanders in tackles, a prerequisite for any off-ball linebacker in contention for DPOY.
Finally, Delane will play in a ton of high-leverage games with the Chiefs, which will help his candidacy. Kansas City traded up to draft the LSU product sixth overall. If Delane can be an immediate difference-maker, he has a great chance to add his name to a short list of cornerbacks to win DPOY since 1999, joining Sauce Gardner, Marshon Lattimore, and Marcus Peters.
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