The next generation of NFL stars has made its way to the pros. The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, leaving us to determine which teams are best equipped to see their rookies succeed from the jump.
Certain first-year players are in a much more favorable position than others to make a significant impact. Fit, projected role, coaching, and franchise direction all play a big part in determining a rookie’s floor and ceiling. In most cases, a “bad” team is more likely to get value out of a high draft pick than one that just won the Super Bowl, though there are some exceptions.
As sports bettors, it’s our job to take what we’ve learned from the NFL Draft and apply it to the Offensive Rookie of the Year odds. There’s always value to be had somewhere, but where does it lie this year? Get ready to bet on the NFL OROY odds at the industry leading offshore sportsbooks.
2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
NFL OROY odds are current as of April 27 via BetOnline.
- Jeremiyah Love (+175)
- Fernando Mendoza (+225)
- Carnell Tate (+450)
- Jordyn Tyson (+650)
- Jadarian Price (+800)
- Makai Lemon (+1000)
- Carson Beck (+1200)
- Omar Cooper Jr. (+1800)
- Kenyon Sadiq (+1800)
- KC Concepción (+2000)
- Denzel Boston (+4000)
- Eli Stowers (+5000)
- Ty Simpson (+5000)
- Garrett Nussmeier (+5000)
Despite being the second offensive player drafted, Jeremiyah Love is the favorite to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s considered more of a plug-and-play option than Fernando Mendoza, who may spend part of the season backing up Kirk Cousins. Carnell Tate comes in third as the first wide receiver chosen in the NFL Draft.
NFL OROY Favorites for 2026
This tier is dominated by the first skill position players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Situations are taken into account here, too, which is why Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, is not the overall favorite.
Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals (+175)
Love became the first running back drafted inside the top five since 2018 (Saquon Barkley) when the Cardinals selected him at No. 3 overall. The Doak Walker Award winner was the most dominant rusher in college football last season, accumulating 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns over 12 games for Notre Dame.
Love’s versatility is a big part of why he was drafted so high. For as explosive as he is out of the backfield, he’s almost equally threatening when he lines up in the slot as a receiver. He had 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.
Love will have some competition for carries between James Conner and Tyler Allgeier, but you don’t draft a running back this high unless you plan to give him a heavy workload from the jump. Expect a high snap count and for Love to be one of the most coveted players in fantasy drafts this season.
Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders (+225)
Mendoza’s Offensive Rookie of the Year bid ultimately comes down to how the Raiders view the margin between him and Cousins. The quarterback battle in training camp should be intriguing, but even if Mendoza shows a little more, Las Vegas could choose to keep him on the bench for the first few weeks of the season to help him get acclimated to the NFL.
In any case, it would come as a surprise to no one if Mendoza is starting by the middle of the season. He certainly has the tools for the job. The reigning Heisman winner threw 41 touchdowns to just six interceptions and logged 3,535 yards in his lone season at Indiana, during which he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and their first title in program history.
It helps Mendoza’s case that he’ll have some legitimate weapons at his disposal in the pros. Tre Tucker is showing some promise as a potential WR1, Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are studs at tight end, and second-year running back Ashton Jeanty could be poised for a big year under new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans (+450)
Suddenly, the Titans have an interesting offense. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward led a unit that ranked 30th in scoring in 2025, but Tennessee worked overtime to get him some help in the offseason, bringing in Wan’Dale Robinson via free agency and Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick in the draft.
Tate was the first wide receiver selected in the NFL Draft, and for good reason. Working alongside sophomore standout Jeremiah Smith, Tate notched 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. Mel Kiper Jr. praised his route running, hands, blocking, and body control.
With Ward expected to leap in his second year, Tate could be set up to succeed early. He’s a reliable target who’s comfortable not being the No. 1 option, which bodes well for his chances of settling into the offense within the first few weeks of the season.
2026 NFL OROY Sleepers to Bet On
Any award race is incomplete without the sleeper tier. This is one of the most intriguing categories, and it’s often where we find the best value bets on the board.
Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints (+650)
Tyson was the second wide receiver taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, going No. 8 overall to New Orleans. The Arizona State product posted some gaudy numbers over his final two years in college, recording 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns on 136 receptions over 21 games.
He fills an immediate need for the Saints, who prioritized putting weapons around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Alongside Chris Olave, Tyson can thrive thanks to his versatility and blocking skills. It’s a big bonus that he can line up at every receiver spot.
This Saints offense might not be as explosive as Tennessee’s in 2026, which is part of the reason why Tyson is lower on the board than Tate. Tyson was also drafted later, and that plays a big part in shaping these early odds.
Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks (+800)
Price was the second running back selected in the NFL Draft, capping off the first round and going to the reigning champions at No. 32 overall. He played second fiddle to Love at Notre Dame over the last three seasons, but he was a big play machine who also excelled in the return game: Price’s 37.5 yards per kickoff return and two touchdowns were FBS bests.
Seattle had an immediate need at the position after Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III went to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Zach Charbonnet also suffered an ACL tear in the playoffs, putting his 2026 campaign in jeopardy.
With those facts in mind, Price may well be in store for a massive rookie season. He’s thought to be more of a complementary back than a true workhorse, but he’s more than capable of breaking free for long runs and scores on early downs. As the Seahawks’ projected RB1, he could make some real noise.
Best NFL OROY Longshot Bets
Longshots are all about boom-or-bust potential. These are guys who could pop under the right circumstances, but a few things still need to happen before those conditions are met.
Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles (+1000)
Rumors are swirling about the Eagles trading star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. Philadelphia only fed the speculation when it traded up to land USC standout Makai Lemon with the 20th pick in the NFL Draft.
Lemon won’t be the WR1 in an offense with DeVonta Smith, but he could be a stellar complement to the former Alabama star. Lemon excelled as a junior with the Trojans, recording 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions. He also scored twice on the ground.
It’s well-known that the Eagles have a run-heavy offense between Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, but that doesn’t mean Lemon can’t make a big impact in his rookie year. His odds will likely get shorter once the Brown trade is finalized, too, so now may be the best time to get in.
Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets (+1800)
It remains to be seen if Geno Smith can truly revitalize this Jets offense, but he has the right pieces around him to get the ball rolling. Former Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson is fully healthy after playing just seven games in 2025, and Adonai Mitchell showed some potential as a WR3.
Now, New York adds a possible second option in Indiana star Omar Cooper Jr., who made the catch of the year in the Hoosiers’ season-saving victory over Penn State last November. The Jets selected Cooper at No. 30 overall, using the last of their three first-round picks to add a talented wide receiver
Cooper was Mendoza’s preferred target at Indiana, logging 937 yards and 13 touchdowns on 69 receptions over 16 games. While he occasionally had a quiet game, Cooper was also prone to huge performances, including a 115-yard showing in a win over Michigan State.
Best NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Bet
While there’s little value in betting the favorite, Jeremiyah Love feels like a pretty safe choice at +175. He’s arguably the best player in his draft class, and he has every reason to take over a backfield in desperate need of explosive talent.
Fernando Mendoza could also get the job done at +225, but it may be worth waiting on this line to see how things play out in training camp. Mendoza may not be the Week 1 starter, so his odds could get longer by the time the regular season rolls around.
My best value bet is Jadarian Price at +800. The Seahawks had one of the league’s most efficient offenses in 2025, and the rookie running back is stepping into a role in which he’ll rarely be the opposing defense’s top priority. And with Charbonnet expected to be sidelined for most of the season, Price should see plenty of chances to finish drives in the end zone.
