2026 NFL Draft Sleeper Picks Who Could be Rookie of the Year Candidates

First-round draft picks have dominated recent NFL Rookie of the Year honors, though opportunities allow others to enter the conversation.

The Associated Press splits the award between offensive and defensive categories. Over the last 10 years, four non-first-round rookies have earned either designation. One occurred last year when the Cleveland Browns' Carson Schwesinger took home the defensive trophy.

The Pro Football Writers of America have given out an overall ROTY award since 2013. Kareem Hunt in 2017 was the last non-first-rounder to earn that designation, and Nick Bosa has been the only defensive player to win.

First-round selections hold the inside track because they're generally going to get the most reps and have the spotlight on them throughout their developmental process.

However, six of those selected after Round 1, with a similar setup to succeed during the upcoming season, immediately jump to the forefront for the possibility of taking home some hardware.

WR Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns

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The Cleveland Browns drafted wide receiver KC Concepcion in this year's first round to be their primary target, but the second-round addition of Denzel Boston may provide an even better option in the passing game, at least initially.

Since Cleveland's quarterback situation remains undecided, though Shedeur Sanders is the likely front-runner, a true X-receiver with a big catch radius can quickly develop into a security blanket for whomever lines up behind center.

The 6'4", 212-pound outside receiver will immediately be a red-zone and third-down threat. The combination of Concepcion and Jerry Jeudy will open up the field as well and make life easier on Boston, as the more physical option.

Concepcion is the more dynamic threat, of course, and he'll draw a lot of attention from opposing defenses. Meanwhile, Boston is talented enough to help move the chains, body off defensive backs for some big plays and possibly put up big numbers on key downs and certain areas of the field.

In fact, the Washington product was the highest-graded draft-eligible wide receiver versus man-coverage last season, per Pro Football Focus.

Also, Boston is likely going to be the most reliable of the three since the other two suffer from concentration drops at times.

The Browns have done a fantastic job reworking the roster and adding significant talent during the last two draft classes. Quarterback still needs to be settled before this organization can finally get on track.

However, Boston is exactly the type of weapon to improve Cleveland's offensive arsenal and help a quarterback find a rhythm to establish some kind of consistency at the game's most important position, which will go a long way in creating buzz in the first-year wide receiver's favor.

LB CJ Allen, Indianapolis Colts

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Defensive rookies often get overlooked despite high-level play. That conversation needs to change.

Last year, Nick Emmanwori was the most impactful rookie on any roster, with how his presence elevated the entire Seattle Seahawks defense to a Super Bowl standard. But his somewhat late arrival to the scene and impact not being fully quantifiable hurt his quest to at least be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, let alone being recognized as the league's best all-around first-year player.

CJ Allen has an avenue where that possibility could become a reality.

The Indianapolis Colts were the league's best team through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season. A couple bad breaks and numerous injuries derailed what started as such a promising campaign.

After the squad's late-season collapse, the Colts' decision-makers knew they had to get faster and more athletic on defense, causing a near complete rebuild at the linebacker position.

Allen, who the Colts chose with this year's 53rd overall pick, will immediately enter Indianapolis' lineup as the starting middle linebacker. The 21-year-old prospect can galvanize a unit that really struggled a season ago, while posting massive numbers himself.

"He'll be a green dot guy for us from the get-go," general manager Chris Ballard told reporters. "He's a face-of-the-program type of guy."

If Indianapolis returns to form seen earlier in 2025 and Allen immediately emerges as a difference-maker, his impact compared to other rookies won't be questioned.

WR Antonio Williams, Washington Commanders

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The Washington Commanders have a long way to go before they return to the rarified air the organization achieved in 2024, but that's the goal. They'll need far more from the offense this fall in order to be considered a Super Bowl contender.

Obviously, Jayden Daniels' health is at the forefront of everything the team does after the '24 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year suffered through a series of injuries during his sophomore campaign.

But the Commanders' plight is not just about Daniels. Even when the team exceeded expectations two seasons ago, it lacked a legitimate second threat among its wide receivers.

Now, Antonio Williams joins Terry McLaurin after Washington made the 21-year-old target its second draft pick (71st overall).

Williams may not have provided a great final collegiate season, but that's not entirely on him since Clemson underperformed as a program and suffered from erratic quarterback play. The former first-team All-ACC performer is lightning quick with real juice to separate, which will be a welcome addition in Washington's offense.

"I think we're really fortunate to have him in the third round, too," general manager Adam Peters told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "I thought he was going to be a second-round pick like you. And I think a little bit of that is because he played really through an injury all of his 2025 season. But if you go back to his 2024 season he was extremely productive. Really he's a guy who we look at as a Z and an F so he can play outside and inside. His speed, his play speed, his route running I think is elite for a college player."

Washington once again emerging as a contender with Williams providing Daniels with a spark will have the rookie wide receiver turning heads for sure.

QB Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals

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At some point during the 2026 season, third-round rookie Carson Beck must start for the Arizona Cardinals. The franchise's decision-makers need to know what they have in this year's 65th overall pick before it can decide the organization's eventual direction at quarterback.

If Beck enters the lineup, orchestrates Mike LaFleur's offense and does anything to provide the team with a higher floor, as Tyler Shough did a season ago for the New Orleans Saints, he'll be in the conversation as the NFL's most important rookie addition.

Currently, the Cardinals plan to enter the 2026 season with veteran Jacoby Brissett at the helm. The Cardinals weren't in position to draft an immediate replacement. However, Beck does offer significant upside, as a pure pocket passer who has extensive starting experience for two pipeline programs in Georgia and Miami.

"I think when you see a player who has had big-game experience, when you make this transition to the NFL, there's more hope that it's not going to be too big for them, right?" general manager Monti Ossenfort told reporters. "So, it's not going to be a deer in the headlights.

"I mean, these guys that have played at these high levels, especially SEC and then into the ACC, these Big Ten programs, like these stadiums are rocking and they go into hostile environments, and so I think that's always good. I mean, the NFL, there's no bigger stage, and so I think the transition is a little bit smoother for them."

Beck's biggest fault is trying to do too much and making poor decisions when the lights are the brightest.

"They are trying to give themselves hope and take a swing," an anonymous NFL executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "Beck looks the part. He can make the throws. He is just going to short-circuit at the worst time. I'd sit him half the year like New Orleans did with (Tyler) Shough and then play him the rest of the way."

The importance of the quarterback position trumps everything else in the NFL. If Beck makes the right decisions at crucial moments and provides the Cardinals with a legitimate starting option beyond the 2026 campaign, no other rookie could do more after not being a first-round pick.

WR Chris Bell, Miami Dolphins

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Much like the Cleveland Browns, the Miami Dolphins took more than one wide receiver, with a later pick likely set up to help the team more this fall.

In Miami's case, the organization drafted three wide receivers. The organization had to, because its roster featured one of the league's worst groups of pass-catchers. However, first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan drafted Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas with the franchise's initial third-round selection.

Nineteen picks later, the Dolphins got even better value and talent with the addition of Louisville's Chris Bell.

Bell fell to the 94th overall pick, because he suffered a torn ACL in November. Despite the injury, Bell was still viewed as second-round talent. Had the first-team All-ACC performer been healthy, he could have snuck into the first round, because he's a tank after the catch.

"He's really good, he's fast, he's 220 pounds and 6-foot-1," another executive told Sando. "Built like Deebo Samuel, but faster. He breaks tackles. He runs away from people. He just doesn't run a full route tree."

Miami offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik can manufacture touches for Bell, who has the ability to maximize his opportunities and emerge as the Dolphins' No. 1 receiving threat.

Bell's exact timetable to be cleared for full participation has yet to be determined, though NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that he's "ahead of schedule" with his rehabilitation. Still, it's not difficult to imagine Bell being a major threat once he's back on the field, even if it's not quite by Week 1.

CB Jermod McCoy, Las Vegas Raiders

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Sometimes the story is as important as the on-field play to warrant award recognition.

Cornerback Jermod McCoy could have easily been a top-10—if not top-five—draft pick had he been healthy throughout the entire 2026 draft cycle, but he wasn't, and his situation only seemed to get worse as the draft drew nearer.

McCoy suffered a torn ACL during offseason conditioning in January of 2025. He was never fully cleared to play for the Tennessee Volunteers this past fall. To make matters worse, concerns over whether McCoy suffered from a degenerative knee issue came to light after this year's NFL Scouting Combine.

The cornerback reportedly required a "bone plug to repair a cartilage defect" in his knee, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Another surgery could be required.

Even so, the Las Vegas Raiders traded up to the top pick of this year's fourth round to select McCoy. The cornerback was the most high-profile prospect in this year's class to experience a significant draft weekend slide—which placed him at the forefront of national conversations.

If McCoy stays healthy as a rookie and plays to his immense talent level, no one will forget what he endured throughout the process and shower him with praise. All the while, everyone will be holding their breath hoping his body holds up and he blossoms as the caliber of player his ability dictates.

"McCoy can be one of the best corners in the league if the knee holds up," an executive told Sando, "but as I understand it, if the knee gets hurt again, he's done."