2026 NFL Rookie Of The Year Odds

The Associated Press presents separate Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, recognizing the performances of first-year NFL players during the regular season. Sportsbooks offer futures markets allowing eligible bettors to select the eventual winners, with prices reflecting expectations, betting activity, individual performances and developments throughout the season.

This guide examines the leading candidates for both awards, the statistical and contextual factors influencing their prospects, historical voting trends, and the mechanics of Rookie of the Year betting. For broader football markets, including weekly matchups and other season-long futures, consult the NFL odds comparison page.

2026 NFL Rookie of the Year Odds

NFL Rookie of the Year odds are divided into two independent markets: Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. A player can win only the award corresponding to the relevant side of the ball, and each market is settled according to the officially announced Associated Press award recipient, subject to the sportsbook’s rules.

Prices can change considerably during the regular season. A rookie who earns a starting position, records an exceptional statistical performance or assumes a larger role following an injury may experience a substantial adjustment in their odds. Conversely, reduced playing time, inconsistent production or an extended absence can weaken a player’s position in the market.

Available prices should be compared across multiple sportsbooks before a wager is placed. The following sections identify the principal candidates based on the market and performance information available around October 12, 2026. They do not represent a live odds feed or a definitive ranking of each player’s probability of winning.

2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Leading Candidates

The Offensive Rookie of the Year award recognizes the most outstanding first-year offensive player in the NFL. Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers have historically dominated the award, reflecting their opportunities to produce measurable statistics and influence their teams’ offensive performances. Although players at other offensive positions are eligible, no tight end or offensive lineman has won the Associated Press award.

The 2026 race features several players with different routes to contention. Jeremiyah Love offers the potential for substantial rushing and receiving production, while Carnell Tate and Denzel Boston depend more heavily on receiving volume, touchdowns and their respective passing offenses. Other candidates require greater opportunities or a sustained improvement in their statistical contributions to challenge the leading group.

Player	Team	Position	Principal Consideration
Jeremiyah Love	Arizona Cardinals	Running Back	Leading contender in early October markets; rushing and receiving workload.
Carnell Tate	Tennessee Titans	Wide Receiver	Increasing target volume and receiving production.
Denzel Boston	Cleveland Browns	Wide Receiver	Early receiving impact and opportunities within Cleveland’s offense.
KC Concepcion	Cleveland Browns	Wide Receiver	Potential for increased receiving involvement, subject to availability.
Makai Lemon	Philadelphia Eagles	Wide Receiver	Role development within an established offensive roster.
Jadarian Price	Seattle Seahawks	Running Back	Competition for carries and opportunities to expand his workload.
Fernando Mendoza	Las Vegas Raiders	Quarterback	Starting opportunities and the number of games available to establish an award case.

Candidate overview as of October 12, 2026. The table is not a live sportsbook odds listing. Current prices and player availability must be checked before placing a wager.

Jeremiyah Love – Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love entered the 2026 season as one of the most prominent Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates after the Arizona Cardinals selected him third overall in the NFL Draft. The former Notre Dame running back offers a combination of rushing ability, receiving potential and the opportunity to become a central component of Arizona’s offense.

Love’s position in the betting market strengthened during the opening month. Early October market reporting indicated that his price had shortened considerably from preseason levels. Different operators displayed different prices, reinforcing the importance of comparing markets rather than relying on a single quoted figure.

His candidacy depends on several interconnected factors. Total rushing yards and touchdowns provide the most visible measures of production, but receiving contributions can distinguish a running back from competitors with similar rushing statistics. Consistent playing time, red-zone opportunities and the Cardinals’ offensive efficiency will also influence his ability to accumulate a season-long statistical advantage.

Running backs can remain competitive for the award without their teams achieving exceptional records, although offensive stability and sustained workload are important. Love’s early position as a market favorite should therefore be assessed against his projected opportunities over the remaining schedule rather than treated as evidence that the award has already been decided.

Carnell Tate – Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate was selected fourth overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him one of the most highly regarded receiving prospects in his class. His opportunities are closely connected to Tennessee’s passing offense and his developing relationship with quarterback Cam Ward.

Tate strengthened his early-season case with a nine-reception, 145-yard performance against Baltimore. That outing represented an important development because it demonstrated his ability to handle a substantial receiving workload against NFL competition. His target volume also increased considerably during the opening four games, suggesting that his role in the offense was expanding.

For wide receivers, award consideration generally depends on a combination of receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and sustained impact. Target share is particularly relevant because it helps distinguish an isolated high-production performance from a repeatable role within the offense.

Tate’s principal considerations include the consistency of Tennessee’s quarterback play, offensive line protection, competition for targets and his ability to maintain production against different defensive schemes. A continued increase in receiving opportunities could strengthen his candidacy, but his final statistical output remains uncertain.

Denzel Boston – Cleveland Browns

Denzel Boston has emerged as one of the more notable developments in the 2026 Offensive Rookie of the Year market. Selected in the second round of the NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns wide receiver began attracting greater attention after producing meaningful receiving contributions early in the season.

Boston recorded 154 receiving yards and two touchdowns across his first two games, establishing an early statistical foundation despite uncertainty surrounding Cleveland’s passing offense. His betting price subsequently shortened, and early October market reports placed him among the principal challengers to Jeremiyah Love.

His prospects depend on whether that initial production develops into a sustained season-long pattern. Receiving yards, touchdowns and target share should be considered alongside the Browns’ quarterback situation and the presence of other receiving options. An impressive opening period can influence the market, but the award is determined by the entire regular season.

KC Concepcion – Cleveland Browns

KC Concepcion provides Cleveland with another rookie receiving option and represents an alternative to Boston in the Offensive Rookie of the Year market. His ability to generate production through different receiving assignments makes his eventual workload an important consideration.

Concepcion’s prospects depend on target allocation, offensive consistency and availability. Injury reports from October 12 indicated a potential concern regarding his participation, making subsequent medical updates particularly relevant when evaluating his near-term playing opportunities. A potential absence or reduced workload can materially affect an award future because missed games cannot be recovered later in the season.

The NFL injury report provides additional context for evaluating roster availability. Any change in Concepcion’s participation should be assessed alongside the Browns’ remaining schedule and his competition for offensive opportunities.

Makai Lemon – Philadelphia Eagles

Makai Lemon joined the Philadelphia Eagles after being selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. His prospects as an award candidate are influenced by the established offensive personnel surrounding him and the opportunities available within Philadelphia’s receiving rotation.

A rookie joining an offense with several established contributors can benefit from favourable matchups and experienced quarterback play, but competition for targets may limit individual statistical totals. Lemon would need to establish a sufficiently substantial role to challenge players receiving a greater share of their teams’ offensive opportunities.

His candidacy should be evaluated through snap participation, targets, receptions, receiving efficiency and touchdown production rather than draft position alone. The Eagles’ weekly matchups can be followed through the NFL betting odds page.

Jadarian Price – Seattle Seahawks

Jadarian Price, another former Notre Dame running back, entered the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks as a first-round selection. His preseason betting interest reflected the possibility of earning meaningful carries within Seattle’s backfield.

Price’s path to the award is particularly sensitive to workload distribution. Running backs who share carries with established teammates may produce efficiently without accumulating the rushing totals generally associated with major individual awards. Injuries, changes in offensive strategy or improved performances can alter that distribution during the season.

His opportunities should be assessed using rushing attempts, total scrimmage yards, goal-line involvement and the number of offensive snaps played. Comparing those figures with Jeremiyah Love’s production provides a more useful assessment than relying on their shared collegiate background.

Fernando Mendoza – Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft after leading Indiana to an undefeated national championship season. His collegiate achievements established him as one of the most recognizable players in the rookie class, but professional award consideration depends on his contributions during the NFL regular season.

Mendoza entered the season behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. That situation creates a different challenge from those facing rookies who receive substantial playing time immediately