With the NFL about to kick off its 2026 season on Wednesday, it's time to unveil our 2026 NFL Preseason All-Rookie Team. The 2026 class is filled with interesting stars and storylines that invite conversations about positional value, hybrid players, and value in tape versus numbers.
All season, NFL Mocks will be analyzing the play of the 2026 rookies, with this as our starting point for expectations. These are the players we are expecting to be the very best at their positions in their first year.
The question of snap count and statistics versus quality of play will be key to naming this roster and assessing the rookies throughout the season. Several key statistics are going to have an impact: touchdowns, sacks, turnovers, etc. But that doesn't mean the edge will always go to the person leading in the stat.
A running back with fewer touchdowns but more consistent play for a better offense might beat one who gets meaningless scores. An offensive lineman who gives up more sacks might make the roster over someone with fewer sacks because the former has more high-level plays. And a quarterback who plays in fewer games but plays better might make the cut over someone of a different profile.
So, which rookies are we betting on to emerge as the NFL's best on offense in 2026? Let's unveil the team.
Projecting the 2026 NFL All-Rookie offense
QB: Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders
As the first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza is clearly the most talented quarterback in the 2026 class. And once he starts playing, we'll see it.
I'm taking the Raiders at their word, and they won't start Mendoza until he's truly ready. Even if that's just a handful of games, it'll be for an offense that has gotten through early-season issues and is constructed by Klint Kubiak.
The Las Vegas Raiders are going to open the season with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, and they'll be fairly competitive. While playing well and having a chance each week at wins and the playoffs, Mendoza won't start until late in the year, when they are eliminated from the playoffs.
After eight to ten games being coached and problem-solved by Kubiak and Cousins, it'll be a warm and comfy seat for Mendoza to come in and play well.
Projected Stat Line: 6 starts, 10 touchdowns, 1,290 yards, 4 interceptions
RB: Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
Jadarian Price is walking into an opportunity to be the starting running back for one of the best teams in the league.
While Price wasn't a lead back in college, he is an explosive player on tape. And for a Seattle team with an elite defense, running the ball consistently will be key.
Price is sharing the backfield duties with George Holani and Emanuel Wilson, so he's on mostly even playing ground in terms of NFL experience, and neither player has the pedigree of Price as the team's first-round pick.
Price's role is also bound to grow throughout the season, taking on more responsibility as he gets acclimated to the NFL. So the attempts, snaps, touchdowns, and yards should pile up towards the end of the season.
Projected State Line: 220 attempts, 980 yards, 7 touchdowns
WR: De'Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers
De'Zhaun Stribling is my pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The reporting from the summer has been strong on Stribling, and there's clearly an opportunity for him in the offense, with receivers continuing to get hurt for the 49ers.
Stribling went earlier in the draft than expected, but that conviction in the player demonstrates the vision Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has for the player.
With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel primarily playing on the outside, Stribling is going to get a lot of work in the slot in the offense, which puts him closer to quarterback Brock Purdy, and in a part of the field that will be easier for him to work in as he starts his career.
But with his explosiveness and size, and the chances of veterans missing time in front of him, Stribling should see plenty of action and targets all over the field as a rookie.
Projected State Line: 72 receptions, 1,100 yards, 8 touchdowns
WR: Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans
It shouldn't be a surprise, but as the first wide receiver taken, Carnell Tate is the most NFL-ready wide receiver from the 2026 class. He's a good route runner with great hands and has the required amount of size, speed, and toughness.
Tate is immediately playing a big role in Tennessee's offense as the starting outside receiver. They'll be asking him to function in multiple parts of the offense and be Cam Ward's primary target downfield.
With Brian Daboll coming in to take control of the offense, and Robert Saleh's defense putting the offense in better positions, Cam Ward should be able to take the second-year leap we're all hoping for.
Projected State Line: 55 receptions, 790 yards, 5 touchdowns
WR: Ja'Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens
Ja'Kobi Lane is one of the most talked-about rookies of the 2026 class. With several strong training camp reports and a productive preseason outing, Lane could be in line for a lot of work in Baltimore as a rookie.
There's a new offense in Baltimore with first-year Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has taken to new offenses extremely well in the past, winning the league's MVP award during Todd Monken's first year in Baltimore.
The Ravens have also struggled to have a consistent wide receiver pairing in the last few seasons. Baltimore hasn't had two receivers catch more than 45 passes in a single season since 2021, and with Rashod Bateman's struggles on the first last season and questions off the field this season, there's an opportunity for Lane as a rookie.
Lane's ability to win on the outside with his frame and strong hands complements Zay Flowers well and will provide an element of the passing game that Jackson and the Ravens haven't had in quite some time.
Projected State Line: 45 receptions, 520 yards, 4 touchdowns
TE: Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets
Kenyon Sadiq is the ideal tight end build to burst onto the scene right away during his rookie season. A 6'3, 240ish-pound tight end can be hard to scout because it's not the typical profile for someone at the position. But in 2026, arguably the league's best tight ends are that same build: Trey McBride and Brock Bowers.
Not only does Sadiq have the build and ability to play in the slot like McBride and Bowers, but he is also the most athletic tight end to ever attend the NFL Scouting Combine.
The league is learning that dynamic tight ends can be productive pass-catchers as rookies. Bowers had 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. And Harold Fannin, as a third-round pick, went for 72-731-6 last year on the 31st-ranked Cleveland Browns offense last season.
The combination of Frank Reich and 2026 Geno Smith can be a little scary for the Jets' offense. But as a first-round pick with this profile, Sadiq should have a fairly dynamic rookie season.
Projected Stat Line: 55 receptions, 600 yards, 3 touchdowns
Which rookie offensive linemen will make the biggest impact?
OT: Spencer Fano, Cleveland Browns
Spencer Fano is one of the most athletic offensive linemen we've seen at the combine since its inception. That athleticism, plus his tenacity, made him worthy of being the first offensive lineman drafted in the 2026 class.
Fano will be the starting left tackle for the Browns as a rookie, and everything they do on offense will be built through him. He's charged with protecting the blindside of whichever quarterback is playing, and along with Zion Johnson the left side will probably be the dominant side for the Browns in the run game.
Ronnie Stanley underwent a career revival under Todd Monken when he came to the Ravens. Monken's offensive coordinator, Travis Switzer, was the run game coordinator in Baltimore, and Cleveland's offensive line coach, George Warhop, was the offensive line coach in Baltimore from 2024 to 2025. So the infrastructure for Fano is there for him to succeed right away.
OT: Monroe Freeling, Carolina Panthers
Monroe Freeling was also one of the most athletic offensive linemen we've seen at the combine, and like Fano is shows up on tape.
Freeling was considered a project coming out of Georgia, but since walking in as the Panthers' starting right tackle from the jump, he's had a lot of opportunities to learn on the job, in the "safe" environment of the summer.
Freeling's high-level plays are going to be key for the Carolina Panthers in an important season for the offensive infrastructure. He can be effective enough in pass protection, but in the run game, he can be a true weapon with his size, athleticism, and coordination.
OG: Vega Ioane, Baltimore Ravens
Like Carnell Tate to the receivers, Vega Ioane might be the most NFL-ready offensive lineman in this class. Unlike Tate, he was the fourth lineman drafted, dropping him into the laps of the Baltimore Ravens, where he will be the starting right guard.
Ioane is incredibly strong, confident, and balanced in what he brings to the table. He anchors extremely well, is coordinated enough to pull and make helpful blocks, and is an absolute road-grader when asked to go forward.
Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle has spent years around strong guard play in his short time in the league. Chicago last year had the inaugural "Protector of the Year Award" winner Joe Thuney, plus Jonah Jackson. In Denver, he worked with All-Pro Quinn Meinerz plus Ben Powers. And Baltimore's offensive line coach, Dwayne Ledford, was the coach with the Atlanta Falcons in charge of that strong group over the last several seasons.
OG: Francis Mauigoa, New York Giants
Like Ionae Francis Mauigoa knows exactly who he is as a player. He's very tough, balanced, and smart, which will make him an impact lineman right away.
Luckily for Mauigoa, he has a little more help around him with veterans Jermaine Eluemunor and John Michael Schmitz, with Mauigoa between them as the team's starting right guard.
Mauigoa transitioning from collegiate tackle to pro guard is perfect for him, since the only negatives in his scouting report were a lack of length (33 and 1/4 inch arms) and elite athleticism to make up for it.
But as a guard, Mauigoa will be able to use his strength and balance to provide a clean pocket in the pass game. And while he has the ability to make plays in space, his best value will be creating running lanes between the tackles as he uses his strength to move defenders and create holes.
C: Jake Slaughter, Los Angeles Chargers
Jake Slaughter is walking into the season as the only rookie starting center. But this isn't just a selection by default. Slaughter played 2,142 snaps at center in his time at Florida, so he's got a ton of experience, despite not being the planned OC1 for the Chargers as a rookie.
Slaughter is a perfect fit for Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel as a lighter and faster center. But he also plays with a lot of physicality.
Not only was McDaniel the tip of the spear in Miami when All-Pro Aaron Brewer made his ascent to one of the best centers in the game, but the new Chargers' offensive line coach, Butch Barry, was there as well. Barry was the offensive line coach under McDaniel with the Dolphins from 2023 to 2025.
With two elite tackles (who will hopefully stay healthy), the interior of the Chargers' line can really work together to back each other up. This will give Slaughter all the support he needs to do his job in the middle.
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