The NFL Draft is in the books, and now we know where all the stars of tomorrow will start their careers. Now, it’s time to decide who will have the breakout performance of 2026 on the offensive side of the ball. Fernando Mendonza went #1, but he may not play right away. Last year, it was Tetairoa McMillan, the wide receiver for the Panthers, who broke out and stole the show. Let’s dive in and take a look at the 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Picks.
Jeremiyah Love (+430)
I’ll be honest, I’m surprised we’re getting a number this good on Love. Ashton Jeanty’s lack of a huge breakout last season is likely to be blamed for a good number of Love. It’s no guarantee Love delivers immediately on the high expectations, but in a draft class that lacks flashy skill position players, he’s worth the risk.
Arizona could look a lot like Las Vegas last year, but there’s a case to be made for their offense. Jacoby Brissett is a solid quarterback. If they figure things out, he’s got some decent weapons in Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr, and Michael Wilson. Their defense should be bad, giving their offense more opportunities to shine. At this price, with the lack of competition and no guarantee that any of the quarterbacks will start games. Love is worth it.
Jadarian Price (+850)
Love’s running mate at Notre Dame slipped into the end of the first round of the NFL Draft and found one of the best landing spots for early success in 2026. He joins the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. With Zach Charbonnet likely sidelined for a bit, it’s the perfect opportunity for Price to be the guy from the first snap of the season. If that success is there early and often, he’ll keep a strong role when Charbonnet returns and may have a stranglehold on the award.
Antonio Williams (+3300)
The receiver core is interesting in this draft. As you look down the odds board, Antonio Williams is one who jumps off the board as a longer shot. He landed in Washington with a Commanders team that has some potential to be really good. What isn’t good is the Commander’s wide receiver room. Outside of Terry McLaurin, the targets are wide open. The team signed Chigoziem Okonkwo, but they need someone to step up.
Williams was productive all four years at Clemson, and his age and experience could lead to him picking up the NFL game quickly. He’s shifty and explosive. At this price, with the opportunity he has, and a team that could be good, he’s worth a shot in a weaker class.
Kaytron Allen (+8000)
We don’t need to go far to find our longshot play. Kaytron Allen also landed with the Washington Commanders in the NFL Draft. I like him for a lot of the same reasons I like Williams. He’s at a nice long price. This team could be very good; they just need an explosive player or two to step up. And finally, opportunity. Washington was a team rumored to be looking at Jeremiyah Love at pick No. 7 overall, but they just never got the chance to pick him.
Due to it being a weaker running back class, they didn’t do much else at the position. That leaves free agent signing Rachaad White, the expected starter, to be supported by an aging and oft-injured Jerome Ford, an aging Jeremy McNichols, and Jacory Croskey-Merrit, who showed little in his opportunity last year. He’s the all-time leading rusher at Penn State, and if he can just go take the opportunity in front of him, it’s not out of the question that he wins this award.
