Guide to the NFL's rookie class: Who will win OROY, DROY? When will first-year QBs start? — SkimNews
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- Fernando Mendoza (Raiders) will open the season on the bench behind Kirk Cousins, making him the first No. 1 overall QB pick not to start Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018; the team has signaled he likely won't play before November
- Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals, +550 OROY odds) headlines the offensive rookie class as the first running back drafted in the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018, and is set as the focal point of new coach Mike LaFleur's offense after a preseason debut of 73 yards on 14 touches against the Raiders
- Sonny Styles (Commanders, +750 DROY odds) leads the defensive list after generating pressure on 20% of his blitz opportunities at Ohio State and posting the lowest missed-tackle rate among linebackers in the 2026 draft class
- De'Zhaun Stribling (49ers, +1100) has an easier path to targets after Ricky Pearsall was lost for the season to knee surgery; the top-of-second-round pick posted seven receptions in his first preseason game and recorded 409 yards after the catch last season at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds
- Dillon Thieneman (Bears, +2500) is already Chicago's starting strong safety — and the source notes the last safety to win DROY was Mark Carrier with the Bears in 1990
- Mansoor Delane (Chiefs, +1100) was acquired in a trade-up after the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson; he generated pressure on 38% of blitz opportunities at LSU in 2025
- Carson Beck (Cardinals) is buried as the third-string QB behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II, but could get December starts if Arizona falls out of playoff contention
Why it matters: The Raiders are bucking the trend of No. 1 QBs starting immediately — Mendoza won't see the field until at least November, pushing his rookie-year fantasy and award value down. Meanwhile, Jeremiyah Love (+550) and Sonny Styles (+750) are positioned as the highest-upside non-QB rookies, with Love the first RB taken top-5 since Saquon Barkley in 2018 and Styles a blitz-friendly fit in Washington's defense.
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