Immediately following the 2026 NFL Draft, one of the focuses turns to how the rookie class will perform in the upcoming season. There are some compelling NFL Rookie of the Year candidates this year, with some similarities to last year's class that make for a meaningful comparison.
At this time a year ago, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was the heavy favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year, with Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward behind him. who won? Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetaroa McMillan, neither Jeanty nor Ward finished in the top five in voting.
We're keeping that in mind as we dive into ranking the 2026 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates ahead of the summer.
1. Jeremiah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals
We've seen discussion about the Arizona Cardinals' depth with Tyler Allger, Trey Benson and James Conner. The latter two are irrelevant when you use the third overall pick on a running back, and Alger is clearly going to be a situational back for Arizona. Jeremiah Love's skill set is similar to Bijan Robinson's, with both having the ability to make explosive runs and impact the passing game like a receiver.
Arizona has also upgraded its interior offensive line this season with Isaac Seumalo and Chase Bissontis, so there should be some running lanes for Love. We've seen Robinson (1,463) and Jeanty (1,321) eclipse 1,300 scrimmage yards in their rookie seasons, and that seems like a reasonable goal for Love. Plus, considering this isn't the strongest group of Rookie of the Year candidates, this could be enough for him to win.
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2. Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans
The best bet to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2026, at least for now, is Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate. Although he's a bit overshadowed by the presence of Wan'Dale Robinson, who signed a $70 million contract this offseason and is a favorite of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, we still like the situation with the Tennessee Titans.
Tate is a great route-runner who has a nice set of skills that translate immediately to the NFL and could make him a favorite target for Cam Ward. Tate McMillan needed only 1,014 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns last time out to win Rookie of the Year, and if Ward completes 550-plus pass attempts with a 62-plus percent completion rate, a 1,000-yard season is more than possible for Tate. He may also be the only rookie receiver to surpass that mark.
3. Casey Concepcion, WR, Cleveland Browns
We liked what the Cleveland Browns did in the 2026 NFL Draft, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if Casey Concepcion wins Rookie of the Year honors after the upcoming season. While Jerry Jeudy will still have a role in Todd Monken's offense, he doesn't provide the playmaking ability with the football in his hands that Concepcion brings to the table. Monken can also open up Concepcion quickly on down routes, and we're confident these are the types of throws Shadeur Sanders can hit consistently with good timing and touch.
We believe it is possible for Concepcion to have over 800 receiving yards with 5 touchdowns in his rookie season. What elevates him even higher in our ranking of Rookie of the Year candidates is his explosive ability as a returner. If he can take one back to the house and be one of the NFL's best returners, it's possible for Roy to win.
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4. Jordan Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints
Durability is our primary issue when including Jordan Tyson among the NFL Rookie of the Year candidates in 2026. The New Orleans Saints made him the 8th overall pick, and he will complement Chris Olave well in this offense. However, his pre-draft process was also a bit shaky due to a hamstring injury, which confirmed long-standing concerns about his injury history.
If Tyson plays all 17 games, he could be the perfect choice to win the ODI. Although he won't see as many targets as Olave, playing the No. 2 role also means drawing less defensive attention and getting more favorable cornerback matchups. Tyson has a very good chance to lead all rookies in receiving touchdowns, and could have over 900 receiving yards to go with it.
5. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
It already seems clear that Kirk Cousins will be the Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback in Week 1. This is a reasonable approach, as the franchise wants to make sure that Fernando Mendoza is ready to run Andrew Janko's offense and be under center when he makes his first start. However, this does hurt his Rookie of the Year chances slightly.
We're also taking into account the recent history of Offensive Rookie of the Year winners. Jaden Daniels and CJ Stroud both made the playoffs and posted QB ratings over 100 in 15 games when they earned the honor in their respective years. We don't necessarily believe Mendoza will be that successful in his first year, nor are the Raiders in a good position to make such a big jump.
6. Jadarion Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks
One thing working against the Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarion Price is that taking him in Round 1 is already viewed negatively by voters. It was a reach, and the Seahawks front office raised expectations for him by getting to that spot. Recognizing this, the opportunity in Seattle is attractive.
The Seahawks offensive line ranked eighth in ESPN run-block win rate (73 percent) in 2025, so there should be some running lanes for Price. He's a very good starting back, and with Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL in the playoffs, the path is clear for Price to become the primary ball-carrier early in the season. We're not sure if he'll put up the numbers this season to overtake any of the big names who will play more prominent roles.
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