With the 2026 NFL Draft completed, there are over 250 rookies poised to enter the league this year. Of course, most of the notable rookies were selected in the first round, and, understandably, top betting sites are favoring those drafted early for 2026 NFL Rookie of the Year odds.
Indeed, many talented players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, players that, due to the poor 2025 seasons of their current teams, are expected to have significant roles early and often in 2026.
NFL Rookie of the Year: Jeremiyah Love and David Bailey Leading the Pack
It should come as no surprise, then, that running back Jeremiyah Love and pass rusher David Bailey are early favorites to take home the league’s two Rookie of the Year Awards.
Jeremiyah Love Early Favorite to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year
The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 Draft. Currently, he is the favorite to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award with +320 odds.
This makes sense not only because of his prowess as a dynamic rusher, but also because the Cardinals do not have much of a passing game. New head coach Mike LaFleur will almost undoubtedly have his offense flowing through his new rookie running back.
Love impressed at Notre Dame, which led to his being taken so high in the draft. After a freshman season that saw him in a limited role, he took over the starting job in 2024. As a sophomore, he ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry.
He was even better in 2025 as a junior, rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry again.
Love has proven he can handle a heavy workload, and if that ends up being the case in Arizona as it was at Notre Dame, he could run away with the NFL Rookie of the Year Award for the offensive side of the ball.
David Bailey Favorite to Win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
One pick prior to Love being drafted by the Cardinals, the New York Jets used the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on pass rusher David Bailey out of Texas Tech to help boost their defense, which was among the worst in the league in 2025.
Head coach Aaron Glenn, who earned the job due to his successful defensive coordinator, is taking control of the defense in 2026 after taking a hands-off approach in his first year in New York. Presumably, this will lead to a better overall performance on that side of the ball.
Enter Bailey, who had 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss on his way to being named an All-American in 2025. Combined with Will McDonald, who had 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons, the Jets are hopeful that their pass rush will be one of the team’s strengths in 2026.
Currently, Bailey has +500 odds to win the NFL Rookie of the Year Award on defense, and if McDonald can continue generating pressure himself, teams will not be able to double-team the dynamic rookie out of Texas Tech. If that is the case, he could put up gaudy numbers as a rookie and make it hard for voters not to consider him for the honor by season’s end.
