2026 NFL Rookies: OROY, DROY Favorites and QB Debut Plans — SkimNews
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- Jeremiyah Love (+550) tops the OROY board as the Cardinals' No. 3 pick and first running back drafted in the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018; he logged 73 yards on 14 touches in his lone preseason game against the Raiders and is expected to be the focal point of new coach Mike LaFleur's offense as both a rusher and pass catcher.
- Carnell Tate (+600), the No. 4 overall pick by the Titans, is projected as the go-to target for second-year QB Cam Ward; he averaged 17.2 yards per catch at Ohio State, seventh-best in the FBS among receivers with at least 50 catches.
- Sonny Styles (+750) leads DROY contenders after going No. 7 to the Commanders, bringing a 20% blitz-pressure rate from Ohio State and the lowest missed-tackle rate among linebackers in the draft class.
- Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick by the Raiders, will open the season behind Kirk Cousins — the first No. 1 QB pick to not start Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018 — and is not expected to play before November unless injury or a plan change forces it.
- De'Zhaun Stribling (+1100), a controversial early second-round 49ers pick, posted seven receptions in his first preseason game and gains an easier path to targets after Ricky Pearsall was lost for the season to knee surgery; he recorded 409 yards after the catch last season (33rd in the FBS).
- Mansoor Delane (+1100) was traded up for by the Chiefs in the first round to fill the cornerback void left by Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and generated pressure on 38% of his blitz opportunities at LSU in 2025.
- Carson Beck (Cardinals, third round) and Cade Klubnik (Jets) both open as third-string options, with Beck positioned as a possible December starter if Arizona falls out of playoff contention.
Why it matters: With the No. 1 overall pick not expected to start until November and two other rookie QBs parked behind veterans, the 2026 OROY race is almost certain to be won by a skill-position player — likely Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love, whose LaFleur-system usage mirrors the workloads that fueled Saquon Barkley's 2018 Rookie of the Year win. The guide also hands fantasy and betting players a head start on identifying value, with long-shot DROY candidates like Caleb Banks (+7000) carrying first-round pedigree into starting roles.
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