NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds after the 2026 Draft include a few intriguing long shots

TL;DR

The 2026 NFL Draft has set the stage for the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, with Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love leading the odds at +320. Other notable candidates include Fernando Mendoza of the Las Vegas Raiders and Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate.

Key points

Jeremiyah Love leads Rookie of the Year odds at +320
Fernando Mendoza follows closely at +380 as a starting QB
Wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson are secondary candidates
Only 10 offensive skill players were selected in the first round

Arizona CardinalsLas Vegas RaidersTennessee TitansNew Orleans Saints

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame poses for a photo after being selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images With the 2026 NFL Draft completed, the focus turns to the regular season. The opening market for FanDuel’s AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 2026-27 offers only a handful of intriguing candidates. Only 10 offensive skill players were even selected during the first round. That includes Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson, who is likely sitting this season behind reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. A quartet of top-10 picks are the main players to watch in this season’s Rookie of the Year race. The opening leader is Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (+320). The electric Notre Dame star should get immediate touches as a centerpiece of Arizona’s overhauled offense. Working against Love’s candidacy is an uncertain Cardinals quarterback situation coupled with a re-worked Arizona offensive line. A running back hasn’t won Rookie of the Year since captured it in 2018 despite seven rookie running backs eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards for the season post-Barkley. Recent history shows Love will likely need monster numbers to get the attention of AP voters to win. Fernando Mendoza (+380) is unsurprisingly right behind Love in the opening Rookie of the Year market. In a weak draft for QBs, the top overall pick to the could be the only rookie starting quarterback to play the full season. Although the Indiana product will play right away, Mendoza still needs to put up good numbers. Last season, top overall pick played almost the full season and didn’t finish top five in AP voting thanks to a shaky supporting cast that limited his offensive upside. Four of the last seven Rookie of the Year awards have gone to quarterbacks, however, so Mendoza still possesses a real opportunity to win if he thrives right away. Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate (+650) and wideout Jordyn Tyson (+750) are both credible secondary candidates. Wide receivers have won three of the last seven seasons, including standout Tatairoa McMillan last season despite opening as the clear No. 4 candidate. Both Tate and Tyson have opportunities for significant early targets in their respective offenses — particularly Tate as a potential No. 1 option to Ward in Tennessee. running back Jadarian Price (+1000) presents an intriguing case by replacing departed Super Bowl MVP . After backing up Love at Notre Dame, it’s a credible concern whether Price gets enough touches to keep pace with the leading candidates. The case for wide receiver Makai Lemon (+1200) could come down to the team trading disgruntled star . Even if Brown is dealt, a crowded Philadelphia receiver situation could hamper Lemon’s early targets.

Q&A

Who are the top contenders for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 2026?

The top contenders include Jeremiyah Love (+320), Fernando Mendoza (+380), Carnell Tate (+650), and Jordyn Tyson (+750).

What are Jeremiyah Love's chances of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Jeremiyah Love leads the odds at +320 but faces challenges due to an uncertain quarterback situation and a reworked offensive line.

How did the 2026 NFL Draft impact Rookie of the Year odds?

The draft saw only 10 offensive skill players selected in the first round, shaping the initial odds and highlighting key players like Love and Mendoza.

What factors could affect Fernando Mendoza's Rookie of the Year candidacy?

Mendoza's success will depend on his ability to perform well as the starting quarterback for the Raiders, especially given the weak draft class for QBs.