Even though the Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Heisman winner is not the betting favorite to be named the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY).
That honor belongs to Jeremiyah Love, who sits at +300 odds at BetMGM. The Arizona Cardinals surprised a few fans when they selected the running back from Notre Dame with the third pick.
On the other side of the ball, David Bailey is the betting favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) at +450. The New York Jets picked the edge rusher from Texas Tech with the second pick.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR FAVORITES
Jeremiyah Love (RB, Cardinals) +300
In his last two seasons with Notre Dame, Love racked up nearly 2,500 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. He also added 55 catches for 517 yards and five touchdown receptions.
In a draft that lacked elite running back prospects, Love was the only starting RB selected in the first two rounds. Love’s backup at Notre Dame, Jadarian Price, was a late first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks, which indicates just how shallow this position group was this year.
History has not been kind to old-school rushers in recent years. Since 1999, just 10 RBs have earned Rookie of the Year honors. In the last decade, Alvin Kamara (2017) and Saquon Barkley (2018) were the only RBs to win the OROY.
Fernando Mendoza (QB, Raiders) +400
Instead of throwing Mendoza into the fire, the Raiders are taking an old-school approach with their franchise quarterback.
General Manager John Spytek and new head coach Klint Kubiak believe in patience when developing a young quarterback. Kirk Cousins expects to begin the season as the starter, while providing a mentorship role. Mendoza will serve as a backup until he learns the offense. He could sit out the entire season, or get an earlier promotion if Cousins sustains an injury. Although the Raiders will not rush Mendoza into battle until he’s ready, he’s second on the OROY board at +400. A wager on Mendoza at this point is a belief that Cousins gets injured or benched.
Jayden Daniels from the Washington Commanders was the last QB named the OROY. Daniels was one of 11 rookie QBs to win the award since 1999.
Carnell Tate (WR, Titans) +700
After selecting QB Cam Ward with the top pick in the 2025 draft, the Titans were expected to bolster their offense. Many mock drafts projected Love as the fourth pick, but when the Cardinals snagged Love at #3, the Titans pivoted to Carnell Tate.
As a wide receiver at Ohio State, Tate caught 551 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. Ohio State has been churning out elite WRs the last few seasons, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Terry McLaurin.
Although a WR won the OROY only six times since 1999, they claimed three winners in the last five seasons, including Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers) last season, Garrett Wilsson (N.Y. Jets) in 2022, and Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) in 2021.
Jordyn Tyson (WR, Saints) +700
Jordyn Tyson became the second WR off the board when the Saints picked the Arizona State standout with the eighth pick. Tyson battled numerous injuries in the last few seasons, including a torn ACL, but he’s known for his mental toughness and was coached by former NFL star Hines Ward. Tyson has drawn comparisons to George Pickens. He’s expected to start as WR2 behind star Chris Olave, which gives Saints head coach Kellen Moore a veritable one-two punch.
Jadrian Price (RB, Seahawks) +1100
Jadarian Price impressed scouts with his size and speed, drawing direct comparisons to Rico Dowdle. As Love’s go-to back last season at Notre Dame, Price averaged 6.0 yards per carry, finishing with 674 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He also added two TD receptions.
The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks selected Price with the last pick in the first round. After Kenneth Walker signed a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Zach Charbonnet takes over as the primary RB in Seattle. Price will be an ideal fit as Charbonnet’s backup.
Makai Lemon (WR, Eagles) +1100
With an A.J. Brown trade looming this offseason, the Eagles moved up in the draft to select Makai Lemon at #20 overall. Lemon earned high accolades from scouts with a comp to Amon-Ra St. Brown. In the last two seasons at USC, Lemon led the Trojans in receiving yards from the slot. He caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season, while adding two rushing scores.
Both the Los Angeles Rams and Jets passed on Lemon before the Eagles swooped in to grab him. Fans in New York and L.A. were bummed out that Lemon went elsewhere. Lemon now joins a Super Bowl contender loaded with talent like Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Bakley. It’s doubtful he gets the ball enough to dazzle Rookie of the Year voters.
Carson Beck (QB, Cardinals) +2500
The Cardinals took a flier on Carson Beck with the first pick in the third round. Beck started at Georgia for two seasons before transferring to the Miami Hurricanes for his final season of eligibility. He led Miami to the CFP championship game, posting a career-best 30 touchdowns and 72.4% completion rate. The Cardinals were looking for a QB after they parted ways with Kyler Murray. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew on the roster, Beck is penciled in at third string and might not see the field any time soon.
Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Jets) +2500
The Jets invested in the raw potential of Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who drew comps to Vernon Davis, which is quite the compliment. He posted the fastest 40-yard dash time by any TE in the last 20 years. The Jets hope the speedy Sadiq will emerge as their team’s secondary receiving option behind Garrett Wilson.
Sadiq was the first TE selected in a draft that was stacked with prospects. Eight additional TEs were taken in the second and third rounds. By comparison, three RBs were picked in the first three rounds.
Omar Cooper, Jr. (WR, Jets) +2500
With their third first-round pick this year, the Jets selected Omar Cooper at #30. They added a national champion and proven playmaker. Cooper was Mendoza’s favorite target at Indiana. He caught 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. Scouts are keen on his explosiveness and compare him to Rashee Rice.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR FAVORITES
David Bailey (Edge, Jets) +450
The Jets initially eyed Arvell Reese but selected David Bailey instead because he can begin the season as a starter for Gang Green. Playing in the largest media market in the NFL will boost Bailey’s profile, which is why he’s the betting favorite to win DROY at +450.
Rueben Bain Jr. (Edge, Bucs) +550
Rueben Bain anchored Miami’s defense last season. Bain’s stock slipped a bit before the Tampa Bucs selected him at #15 overall. Bain still has a chance to make an impact under head coach Todd Bowles. He has a chip on his shoulder, which we love to see from an edge rusher. He’s the second favorite on the board to win DROY at +550.
Arvell Reese (LB, Giants) +750
Arvell Reese is an explosive hybrid linebacker who has been compared to Nik Bonitto. The Giants were thrilled to land a player of his caliber at #5. The Giants have a robust group of linebackers, but they couldn’t pass on Reese. Although the Jets were rumored to pick Reese with the second pick, Reese dodged a huge bullet. He now gets to play under John Harbaugh for a franchise that boasts a championship pedigree instead of joining the LOL Jets and their circus-like environment.
Sonny Styles (LB, Commanders) +850
Washington selected Sonny Styles with the seventh pick. The Ohio State linebacker drew comps to Fred Warner for versatility. Scouts admire his quickness as a run defender, and he’s someone who can easily drop into pass coverage. Styles should make an immediate impact in Week 1, and his price offers value at +850.
Carson Schwesinger from the Cleveland Browns won the DROY last season, becoming the third linebacker to win in the last five seasons. Since 1999, a linebacker has earned this prestigious award 15 times, which bodes well for Styles, who was the top linebacker selected in the draft.
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