2026 NFL Rookie of the Year Odds: Four Value Picks

Now that the 2026 NFL Draft has been and gone, attention turns to how teams are shaping up ahead of the new season. Some debuting players will be thrust into the limelight immediately, which will not only have a huge impact on their franchises, but also on their aspirations of earning individual accolades.

The Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards remain an early benchmark, as many winners of each prize go on to enjoy successful careers. Currently, Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love is the favorite for the offensive award, while David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. are joint-leaders for Defensive Rookie of the Year. But the favorites aren’t guaranteed to win, and where a player lands in the draft can make all the difference.

For example, Carson Schwesinger was able to show off his abilities in a talented Cleveland Browns defense, which helped him upset the pre-season odds to win the 2025 award. Punters are already checking markets for who might be a similar value pick, maximizing offers such as a Fanatics Sportsbook promo to place their wagers. But here are four players who might be worth checking out.

Jordyn Tyson – New Orleans Saints (+700)

Three wide receivers have been crowned Offensive Rookie of the Year in the last five seasons, and Jordyn Tyson could follow in the footsteps of Ja’Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson, and Tetairoa McMillan. The situation that the latter walked into in Carolina closely resembles where Tyson is heading in 2026.

The New Orleans Saints are crying out for a star receiver to work alongside Chris Olave, and Tyson’s route-running could stretch the field and be the perfect complement in Kellen Moore’s offense. Some analysts have drawn comparisons to George Pickens, and he’s likely to get a high proportion of targets from Tyler Shough, which helps to make his odds of +700 more tempting.

Jadarian Price – Seattle Seahawks (+750)

The Seattle Seahawks had a big hole at running back prior to the 2026 Draft after losing Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker. Zach Charbonnet is still rehabbing from an ACL injury too, which meant that whoever came in during the offseason would likely play a big part in early matchups this year.

Jadarian Price might well have been Love’s backup at Notre Dame, but the stage is set for him to become a star in his own right. He’ll get plenty of carries, which means plenty of chances to show off his speed and ability to change direction rapidly. If he impresses enough, that could make him the first running back to win Offensive Rookie of the Year since Saquon Barkley in 2018.

Mansoor Delane – Kansas City Chiefs (+850)

Bailey, Bain, Carnell Tate, and Arvell Reese have received all the love since the draft, but Mansoor Delane might be the biggest sleeper of them all. The Chiefs’ new corner is coming into the team straight away after Trent McDuffie was traded to the Rams and Delane has all the intangibles to follow in his footsteps.

He has a knack for snuffing out danger, making six interceptions in the last two seasons and recording 11 pass breakups in his senior year at LSU, all of which help to make him a potential day 1 starter. He’s even earned comparisons to McDuffie from analysts, and while the last corner to win Defensive Rookie of the Year was Sauce Gardner in 2022, Delane has a great opportunity to snap that streak after being drafted to a team that is used to dominating.

Dillon Thieneman – Chicago Bears (+2200)

Picking a safety to win Defensive Rookie of the Year is a long shot, considering that the last player in that position group to claim the honor was former Chicago Bear Mark Carrier in 1990. But it might be a new star for the same franchise who puts that lengthy absence to rest.

Dillon Thieneman could potentially be the best value pick out of all names at +2200. His ability to make interceptions (eight in his college career) and play in the box highlights how he can make an impact on the field in a variety of roles. A modern safety needs to be able to do it all, but with greater statistical output comes greater recognition, as Nick Emmanwori found out after finishing second in the race for Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. Perhaps Thieneman can do what the Seattle star couldn’t.