The 53-man rosters are set, and the 2026 NFL rookie class is about to jump into the spotlight. Which offensive playmakers are ready to step to the forefront as NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates?
What makes this year’s race interesting is that there may not be a quarterback in the race.
While Cam Ward was the lone rookie star in 2025, by the end of the season, both Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough were in the mix for the award. Ultimately, the prize went to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, ending a string of two consecutive seasons in which the accolade went to a QB.
Could this be another season in which a wide receiver takes home the award, or could this be the first year since 2018 that a running back runs away with it?
While the 2026 NFL Draft was filled with defensive talent, there are still notable offensive players ready to explode. With Week 1 approaching, NFL Mocks ranks the five rookies best positioned to make an immediate impact and contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The players omitted from this list may spark debate.
2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year rankings
No. 5 — Eli Raridon, New England Patriots, TE
Why he can win: Eli Raridon was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but if it wasn’t for two torn ACLs early in his college career, one has to wonder how high the former Notre Dame star would've gone.
As a pass-catching tight end, Raridon has the combination of size, versatility and athleticism to become a key factor in the Patriots' offense as the TE2. He'll have the benefit of learning from veteran Hunter Henry while giving Drake Maye another big target in the passing game.
Opportunity: The training camp injury to Julian Hill opened the door even wider for Raridon to establish himself as New England's No. 2 tight end. With defenses focused on A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs on the outside, opportunities should be there for Raridon to attack the middle of the field.
That's where the on-field chemistry between Maye and Raridon could really take shape. Once that trust is established, the sky is the limit for Raridon in the Patriots' offense.
What could hold him back: Those two ACL injuries will naturally create durability concerns for the rookie. And although Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels loves utilizing two-tight end sets, Raridon could still struggle for targets given the number of established playmakers around him.
There is also the challenge of mastering McDaniels' offense. Young players can take time adjusting to the complexity of his system, creating the possibility that Raridon doesn't really hit his stride until the middle of the season.
Prediction: With playmakers like Brown, Doubs and Henry surrounding him, predicting Raridon to approach 1,000 receiving yards would be extremely bold. But he doesn't necessarily need those numbers to enter the OROY conversation.
If Raridon can put together a season that flashes some of what Sam LaPorta did as a rookie in 2023, he'll have a chance. He probably won't approach LaPorta's 86 receptions, but somewhere around 55-60 catches, 600-plus receiving yards and eight touchdowns would put Raridon in serious consideration for the award.
And if he starts living up to those Rob Gronkowski comparisons along the way, the buzz around the Patriots rookie will only get louder.
No. 4 — Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans, WR
Why he can win: Don’t let the quiet preseason fool you. Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate has the explosiveness and big-play ability to set the league on fire.
Selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, expectations are high for Tate to eventually claim the No. 1 wide receiver role in the Music City. It may take a few games for him to really take off at the NFL level, but he brings great size, polished route running, reliable hands and the ability to go up and get the football.
By the end of the season, Tate could emerge as Cam Ward’s top target and flourish in the Titans' offense once he finds his comfort zone.
Opportunity: Even with Calvin Ridley on the roster and the addition of Wan’Dale Robinson, the Titans are hungry for a premier No. 1 wide receiver, and Tate will get an opportunity to grow into that role.
With those two veterans around him, the pressure won't be entirely on Tate to produce right away. That could work to his advantage. Brian Daboll's offense should give the rookie plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent and tremendous skill set in Year 1.
What could hold him back: Tate's OROY chances could ultimately depend on Ward. If the second-year quarterback doesn't take a significant leap and struggles to adjust to Daboll's timing-based passing game, the entire Titans offense could suffer.
That's where frustration could start to set in for Tate. If the targets aren't consistent or the explosive plays aren't there early, maintaining confidence and developing chemistry with Ward will become important as the season moves forward.
Prediction: A 1,000-yard season is not only what will set Tate apart as far as rookie wide receivers.
His ability to produce highlight-reel plays, much like he did at Ohio State, could generate plenty of buzz around his OROY chances. That's especially true with Ward's willingness to attack defenses downfield. Tate's ability to adjust to off-target throws should also make this young QB-WR combination an intriguing one throughout the season.
If Tate can finish his rookie season with around 65 receptions, 1,000-plus receiving yards and seven to nine touchdowns, he'll have a legitimate chance to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
No. 3 — Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks, RB
Why he can win: It’s simple when it comes to Jadarian Price. He has the explosiveness and scheme versatility to be a special player for the defending Super Bowl champions in Year 1, especially given the team's need at the position and the multiple ways Price can impact a football game.
As the second part of a dynamic duo at Notre Dame, Price took a backseat as Jeremiyah Love basked in the spotlight. Don’t get it twisted, however. The 5-foot-11, 203-pound running back made the most of his opportunities and consistently displayed big-play ability both in Notre Dame's rushing attack and on special teams.
Now he'll get the opportunity to show what he can do with a much larger role.
Opportunity: Once Kenneth Walker III left in free agency, Seattle's need at running back made Price an obvious target late in the first round or on Day 2. The Seahawks ultimately nabbed him at the end of the first round, signaling their confidence in both his fit and ability.
Price was already expected to see increased snaps with Zach Charbonnet working his way back from injury. Those expectations grew even more when Charbonnet was placed on reserve/PUP to start the season.
The Seahawks will depend on George Holani and Emanuel Wilson to pick up some of the slack, but Price should be the player head coach Mike Macdonald looks to as the centerpiece of the rushing attack until Charbonnet returns, and potentially beyond.
What could hold him back: Part of what made Price so explosive at Notre Dame was that he didn't accumulate a ton of wear and tear while sharing the backfield with Love. The big question entering his rookie season is whether he can maintain that explosiveness when he's the guy carrying the load.
He'll have the first four games of the season to prove he can handle that responsibility. But will a heavier workload begin to slow his production as the season progresses?
That's where Seattle will need Holani and Wilson to be effective as well. Keeping Price fresh could be the key to getting the most out of his big-play ability over a 17-game season.
Prediction: Price will need to showcase that big-play potential while eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing milestone to become a serious factor in the OROY race.
With the Seahawks thin at the position to start the season, there will be greater pressure on Price to establish himself as the primary ball-carrier and make Seattle's ground attack a force in the NFC West. If he does that before Charbonnet returns, it could be difficult for the Seahawks to significantly reduce his role.
Along with rushing for more than 1,000 yards, Price will need to showcase his dual-threat ability with at least 300 receiving yards and around 10 combined touchdowns. If he reaches those marks while playing a major role for one of the NFC's top teams, Price will have a strong case to be among the finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The two rookies with the best shot at OROY
No. 2 — De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers, WR
Why he can win: The preseason doesn’t determine OROY candidates, but De’Zhaun Stribling certainly put the league on notice by hauling in 11 catches for 109 yards over his first two games. As a high Day 2 pick, Stribling’s preseason performance has stirred plenty of hype in the Bay Area, and rightfully so.
As a prospect who emerged as a potential first-round pick as the draft got closer, Stribling's combination of size and speed makes him an intriguing vertical threat in Kyle Shanahan's system, especially with his ability to create yards after the catch.
He'll need to improve his ability to consistently create separation off the snap, but once Stribling gets the football in the open field, he has the tools to become a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Opportunity: With Ricky Pearsall placed on injured reserve and expected to miss the entire 2026 season, Stribling's preseason emergence has put him in position to immediately become one of San Francisco's primary receivers.
With Mike Evans on the outside and Deebo Samuel Sr. returning to the mix, along with Christian McCaffrey at running back and George Kittle and Jake Tonges at tight end, defenses will have plenty of other weapons to worry about. That should create opportunities for Stribling to attack the middle of the field.
The rookie could quickly become a favorite target for Brock Purdy, who thrives on intermediate throws and crossing routes. With Stribling's speed, physical nature and ability after the catch, there are big plays waiting to happen in Shanahan's offense.
What could hold him back: Stribling was impressive in the preseason, but the bigger test will come once NFL defenses begin game-planning specifically for what he does well.
His competitive nature should help him make the necessary adjustments, but what happens once defensive coordinators identify his tendencies and challenge him to win differently? Can he consistently create separation and remain a factor when defenses are prepared for his speed and yards-after-the-catch ability?
How Stribling answers those questions could determine whether his preseason breakout becomes something much bigger.
Prediction: Stribling will need to emerge as the X-factor in the 49ers' offense to seriously challenge for OROY. If the established playmakers around him stay healthy, he'll have plenty of opportunities to make defenses pay, particularly in the intermediate passing game.
But for Stribling to become one of the frontrunners for the award, he'll need more than highlight-reel plays. He'll need consistent production.
A rookie season approaching 70 receptions, 900-1,000 receiving yards and seven to nine touchdowns would put Stribling firmly in the OROY conversation. Given the age of Evans and Samuel, there's also a legitimate chance the rookie emerges as San Francisco's leader in both receptions and receiving yards.
If that happens while the 49ers remain among the NFC's top contenders, Stribling could make a serious run at bringing home the award.
NFL Mocks' 2026 OROY prediction
No. 1 — Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals, RB
Why he can win: As a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the first non-quarterback offensive playmaker off the board, the prediction here is easy. That's especially true when considering No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza won't begin the season as the starter in Las Vegas.
Even if Mendoza was the Day 1 starter for the Raiders, Love has an opportunity to make a greater immediate impact because of everything he can do with the football in his hands.
The Heisman Trophy runner-up cemented his status as the top running back and one of the most dynamic offensive playmakers in the draft after putting up outstanding numbers at Notre Dame. An athletic runner with game-breaking speed and a powerful running style, Love can make a defense sweat from anywhere on the field.
In Arizona, he'll have a chance to flourish in Mike LaFleur's offense, which features plenty of outside-zone and stretch concepts that should allow Love to get into space and show off that explosiveness.
Opportunity: Love will also have an opportunity to showcase his impact as a pass-catching running back. He didn't get to show off that part of his game extensively at Notre Dame, but expect LaFleur to find ways to utilize his ability as a receiver.
No matter who is playing quarterback, Love can take pressure off the passing game by creating yards on the ground while also serving as a dangerous outlet underneath. Get him the football in space and a simple checkdown can quickly turn into an explosive play.
That's what makes his opportunity in Arizona so intriguing. Love has a chance to become the catalyst of the Cardinals' offense in a role similar to what Christian McCaffrey established during his early years with the Carolina Panthers and continues to provide with the San Francisco 49ers.
What could hold him back: The high ankle sprain Love suffered during the preseason is the biggest concern entering his rookie season.
For a running back who has otherwise proven to be durable, that type of injury can linger, especially if he's rushed back too soon. Although Love appears to be trending in the right direction, Arizona has to think beyond Week 1. The Cardinals can't afford to turn a short-term injury into something that limits the No. 3 overall pick for an extended portion of his rookie season.
Love's explosiveness is what makes him special. Arizona needs to make sure he's healthy enough to showcase it.
Prediction: Anything short of 1,500 yards from scrimmage would feel disappointing given the hype surrounding Love as he enters the NFL. If LaFleur utilizes him extensively in the passing game, he should approach that number and could blow past it depending on his production on the ground.
A rookie season featuring 1,200-plus rushing yards, another 350-500 yards through the air and double-digit total touchdowns would give Love the statistical résumé to emerge as the clear favorite for the award.
But his OROY case could ultimately go beyond the numbers. If Love becomes the centerpiece of Arizona's offense and helps the Cardinals exceed expectations in 2026, he'll have the combination of production, highlights and team impact voters will have a difficult time ignoring.
And if Mendoza remains on the sidelines for an extended period in Las Vegas, the path could become even clearer for Love to run away with the 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Add us as a preferred source on Google