7 NFL Players Most Likely to Win 2026 Offensive ROY Award

NFL teams have high expectations for first-round picks. These prospects are the cream of the crop, though only a few rise to immediate stardom. 

For eight consecutive years, a Day 1 pick has gone on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, a third-round pick, won the award in 2017. 

Because of a mediocre quarterback class with only one probable starter for the upcoming season, the candidate pool for the top offensive rookie is wide open. Second- and third-rounders have a shot this year. 

Based on team roster makeups and potential playing time, here are seven players most likely to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Denzel Boston (left) and Nate Evans

At 6'4, 212 pounds, Denzel Boston is physically equipped to be an immediate red-zone threat, which makes him a more likely Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate than fellow rookie wideout KC Concepcion, who's 6'0", 196 pounds.

Aside from red-zone targets, Boston will have opportunities to earn a starting role alongside Jerry Jeudy. 

The Cleveland Browns' unsettled quarterback situation lowers the ceiling for their pass-catchers, though Boston can be a safety blanket for 10-year veteran Deshaun Watson, who's mostly struggled since the team acquired him from the Houston Texans, or second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders.

B/R scout Damian Parson noted Boston's contested catch ability.

"Boston is known for his outstanding body control and ball skills, which enable him to consistently win contested catches," he wrote. "Boston tracks the football well as he works further down the field."

Similar to Carolina Panthers wideout Tetairoa McMillan, who won 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Boston could emerge as a big-target perimeter playmaker.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

The Arizona Cardinals are in a contract dispute with quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

According to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, the Cardinals and Brissett are "significantly" far apart in negotiations.

Even if Arizona agrees to terms with its journeyman starting QB, head coach Mike LaFleur could lean on the ground attack and short passing game, which would allow Jeremiyah Love to see a lot of action.

Brissett isn't an aggressive deep-ball passer. In 2025, he averaged 7.7 intended air yards per pass, which ranked 24th leaguewide, per Next Gen Stats.

In addition to Brissett's conservative passing tendencies, Love's draft status as the No. 3 overall pick suggests LaFleur has plans for him to make an immediate impact despite a crowded running back room that includes James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson, Bam Knight and Corey Kiner.

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Lucas Peltier

Most years, the top quarterback in a draft class is the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, especially if they're the No. 1 overall pick. 

In today's NFL, top quarterback prospects typically play at least half of their rookie season, but that may not be the case for Fernando Mendoza.

According to ESPN's Ryan McFadden, the Las Vegas Raiders expect to start the season with Kirk Cousins under center.

However, new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hasn't named a starter. During OTAs, he told reporters that competition will "reveal itself" regarding who emerges in position battles.

Nonetheless, it's worth noting that Cousins has an early advantage over Mendoza because of his experience in Kubiak's system from his 2021 season with the Minnesota Vikings.

Still, Mendoza could take over for Cousins at some point if the veteran quarterback struggles or the team falls out of playoff contention early in the campaign. If the Raiders' passing attack has a slow start, Kubiak would have nothing to lose and likely insert his rookie signal-caller for a spark. 

Of course, Mendoza must demonstrate command of Kubiak's offense. Thus far, he's on the right track.

On a Bleacher Report show, NFL insider James Palmer said Mendoza has "wowed" the Raiders at OTAs.

By the end of the summer, Mendoza could be in a tight battle with Cousins. After leading Indiana to a national title and winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy, Mendoza has tremendous potential. With an accurate arm (68.6 completion rate) and big-game experience, he could flash early in regular-season action.

Jadarian Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Several draft analysts saw the Seattle Seahawks as a landing spot for Jadarian Price because of the running back talent they lost between January and March.

Early in the Seahawks' successful playoff run, Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL. In free agency, Kenneth Walker left the reigning champions to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Given the timeline of Charbonnet's injury and Walker's departure, Price could lead the Seahawks' new-look backfield in the opening week of the 2026 season. He'll compete with career backups Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, Velus Jones Jr. and Jacardia Wright for touches.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler talked to executives and coaches around the league who don't believe Price will have to be a "bell cow right away," but the rookie first-rounder won't face stiff competition for the lead role.

In all three of his collegiate terms at Notre Dame, Price played in a complementary role, though he averaged at least six yards per carry and scored 18 total touchdowns over the last two seasons behind Jeremiyah Love.

If Price tightens up on his ball security (three fumbles in 2025), he could be the Seahawks' RB1 with a chance to rush for 1,000-plus yards in a standout rookie campaign.

Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/John Amis

The Tennessee Titans selected the first offensive skill player in this year's draft, taking Carnell Tate with the No. 4 overall selection.

Thus far, Tate has looked the part of a top draft pick. 

During OTAs, Titans quarterback Cam Ward praised the rookie's hands and ability to get open against different coverages (h/t Nashville Post's John Glennon). 

"Has great hands, wins in man coverage," Ward said. "He's a strider. He's a guy who can create versus off [coverage], versus press [coverage]. He really doesn't drop nothing. So just got to continue to find ways to get him the ball early…work on our timing."

Although we shouldn't get carried away with rookie flashes before padded practices, it's a promising sign that Ward and Tate are building a rapport.

Furthermore, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has helped turn wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Malik Nabers into Pro Bowlers during his stops with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. Tate could be the next receiver to flourish in Daboll's offense.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Jordyn Tyson could start the season as the New Orleans Saints' No. 2 wide receiver behind Chris Olave, and he may be the most explosive receiver on the roster. 

Through four collegiate terms, Tyson averaged 14.4 yards per catch. With him, head coach Kellen Moore can open up the playbook—design more deep-ball plays to showcase the rookie first-rounder's big-play ability.

Durability issues aside, many saw Tyson as the best wide receiver in the 2026 class, even though he came off the board four spots after Carnell Tate.

Moore must be creative to get his No. 2 wide receiver enough looks for Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration, and he's certainly capable of doing so.

Last season, Moore called plays for an offense with Spencer Rattler and then-rookie Tyler Shough under center with an average supporting cast of pass-catchers. Still, the Saints' passing offense finished 13th in total yards.

Tyson could benefit from Shough's growth and defenses having to key in on newly acquired running back Travis Etienne Jr.

Antonio Williams, WR, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

The Washington Commanders haven't re-signed Deebo Samuel, which leaves a void behind Terry McLaurin on the wide receiver depth chart. 

McLaurin, who turns 31 in September, sat out seven games because of injuries last season. Before the 2025 campaign, he hadn't missed an outing since 2020. 

Antonio Williams could take on a prominent role in the Commanders' aerial attack if he turns heads in the summer.

Washington needs a young receiver to emerge as McLaurin ages into his 30s. 

In November of last year, the Commanders signed Treylon Burks, a former first-rounder still trying to find his way in the pros. Luke McCaffrey, a 2024 third-rounder, has just 29 receptions for 371 yards and three touchdowns in 26 outings.

Williams had a consistent presence in Clemson's passing attack during his four-year collegiate run. In three of his terms, he racked up at least 55 catches and 604 receiving yards. In 2024, the 5'11", 190-pounder led the ACC with 11 touchdown receptions.

In Washington, Williams could be an inside-outside receiver who sees a high target volume in a highly productive rookie campaign.

College football statistics are provided by cfbstats.com.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.