Before the NFL officially begins the 2026 season with the Patriots vs. Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9, now could be the time to lock in NFL futures predictions before payouts inevitably shift over the opening weekend.
As usual, the MVP award is a hot topic for the 2026 NFL campaign, but the top rookies are usually in the spotlight as well. While Offensive Rookie of the Year could lack the usual quarterback contenders, Defensive Rookie of the Year is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested battles in recent memory thanks to a loaded 2026 NFL Draft class.
Utilizing payouts on PrizePicks, let’s look at the favorites for the 2026 Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards, followed by our top NFL Rookie of the Year prediction for each trophy.
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NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Favorites, Payouts via PrizePicks
Usually, the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorites are littered with top-tier draft picks, but that’s not the case in 2026.
Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love (#3 pick) and Titans WR Carnell Tate (#4 pick) are among the lowest payouts, but so are 49ers WR De’Zhaun Stribling (#33 pick) and Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (#32 pick). Could we see a surprise winner in 2026?
Check out the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year payouts on PrizePicks.
Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Prediction
Since 2016, five of 10 winners have been quarterbacks. That includes Texans QB C.J. Stroud (2023) and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (2024) taking it home in two of the past three years.
Two quarterbacks went in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza (#1 pick) and Rams QB Ty Simpson (#13 pick). But neither signal-caller has a clear path to playing time right now, sitting behind veteran QBs Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford.
With the Rams featuring the lowest payout to win the Super Bowl (5x) on PrizePicks and Stafford coming off an MVP season, Simpson isn’t touching the field unless the vet sustains an injury.
Mendoza, however, could take over at some point. If it’s sooner rather than later, the #1 pick of the 2026 NFL Draft can certainly contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
For now, we’ll focus on known roles. Here’s our top NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year prediction for the 2026 season.
Carnell Tate to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year: Yes 6.25x | No 1.09x
Finding “for sure” roles among offensive rookies is easier said than done.
Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love is the favorite, but he’s already battling a nagging high ankle sprain. Seahawks RB Jadarian Price should have a prominent role until RB Zach Charbonnet returns from injury, but what happens when the experienced tailback returns to the backfield?
Three of the past five Offensive Rookie of the Year awards went to wide receivers: Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (2021), Jets WR Garrett Wilson (2022), and Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan (2025).
Carnell Tate posted 16, 19, and 3 snaps over three preseason games, generating 6 targets for 0 catches. Some have already hit the panic button on the #4 pick, but it’s only preseason football.
His imminent role on the Titans is undeniable, as the unofficial depth chart lists Tate, Calvin Ridley, and Wan’Dale Robinson as the starters.
Following last year’s 303 receiving yards in seven games, Ridley is a shell of his former self. Robinson makes his chops on short throws, logging a 9.0 average depth of target (63rd) last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Tennessee QB Cam Ward has a true case to make a leap in year two. This time around he should have competent coaching in the form of first-year head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
According to RBSDM, Ward posted a dreadful -0.099 adjusted EPA per play (30th) last season. His low 7.8 aDOT (28th) didn’t help his cause either. The Titans will likely look to push the ball downfield more often in 2026.
As mentioned, Ridley has lacked efficiency, while Robinson usually operates on quick, easy targets. Enter Tate, who had 0 drops with a healthy 14.6 aDOT at Ohio State in 2025. His 3.02 yards per route run also finished 10th.
Ward is supported by an offensive line that posted a solid 64% pass block win rate (16th) a year ago, via ESPN. There is a route for Ward — who displayed an excellent deep ball throughout college — to rely on Tate downfield, building a true case for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Favorites, Payouts via PrizePicks
As mentioned, the defensive 2026 draft class was stacked. The top picks featured Jets EDGE David Bailey (#2), Giants LB Arvell Reese (#5), Chiefs CB Mansoor Delane (#6), and Commanders LB Sonny Styles (#7).
Seven of 32 first-round picks featured defensive linemen, and Cowboys S Caleb Downs (#11) and Bears S Dillon Thieneman (#25) headlined one of the strongest safety classes in recent memory.
With that said, the Defensive Rookie of the Year race is tracking to be a dogfight, as four of the first five defensive players off the board are among the shortest payouts to win the award.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Prediction
This is essentially a front seven award, as 23 of 26 Defensive Rookie of the Year winners were either defensive linemen or linebackers since 2000.
Bears S Mark Carrier was the last safety to win the award in 1990, but perhaps that means fate for the first-round Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman. While Cowboys S Caleb Downs has the chance to help turn around a defense on a potential playoff team, can he overcome that safety drought?
Additionally, only three cornerbacks have won Defensive Rookie of the Year in the 26-year span: Chiefs CB Marcus Peters (2015), Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (2017), and Jets CB Sauce Gardner (2022).
Awards are stat-driven, and unless you immediately become one of the best corners in the league — similar to Lattimore and Gardner — taking home this hardware could be a lost cause.
Our eyes turn to the front seven, but which rookie carries a strong case to win Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Cashius Howell to Win Defensive Rookie of the Year: Yes 22.22x | No N/A
Defensive linemen have especially dominated since 2019, with five of seven awards going to edge rushers. Bengals EDGE Cashius Howell, who was selected with the #41 pick in the second round, builds an intriguing case with a high payout.
First, Howell certainly possesses the talent, as Lance Zierlein of NFL.com highlighted his burst and bend that create a dangerous pass rusher. Zierlein tabbed Howell with a first- or second-round grade, questioning the Texas A&M product’s technique and ability to defend the run.
Some of the technique questions were eased throughout training camp, as Howell consistently won reps and received positive reviews. He made one preseason appearance, posting 1 pressure and hurry over 10 pass-rush snaps.
Sacks and pressures are the golden argument for nabbing Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Howell racked up 12 sacks, 41 pressures, and 15 tackles for loss during his final collegiate season.
Perhaps the greatest bullet point is benefiting from DT Dexter Lawrence.
In 2025, Sexy Dexy had a mind-boggling 71% double-team rate, and his 8% pass-rush win rate still tied for 18th among defensive tackles. Further, he drew a 53.2% double-team rate (highest) and posted 65 QB pressures following a double team (fourth-most) over the past five seasons.
Cincinnati adding a player of this caliber to the defensive line should free up its edge rushers. This puts Howell in a prime place to benefit from Lawrence eating blocks and pushing the pocket.
If the second-round rookie can reap the reward from playing alongside a dominant interior presence, Howell will have the stage to turn heads, with the Bengals carrying the second-shortest payout to win the AFC North (2.56x) and a 1.47x payout to qualify for the playoffs, per PrizePicks.
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Make NFL Rookie of the Year Predictions on PrizePicks
Carnell Tate has the chance to dominate downfield targets for the Titans, building his case to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in what could be an underwhelming race.
Meanwhile, the Defensive Rookie of the Year battle is gearing up to be a tight contest. Could Cashius Howell be a surprise contender?
The NFL regular season begins on September 9, and users can make NFL predictions for the upcoming 2026 season, including playoff qualifiers, the Super Bowl winner, award winners, and more on PrizePicks Team Picks — available in 36 states!
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