2026 NFL rookies guide: Stat leaders, fantasy picks, top QBs

Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season will characteristic loads of rookie debuts. Although No. 1 draft decide Fernando Mendoza won’t make an appearance for not less than a number of weeks, the remainder of the top-five picks ought to have an early impression (Jets edge rusher David Bailey, Cardinals working again Jeremiyah Love, Titans receiver Carnell Tate and Giants linebacker Arvell Reese). And there are many non-first-rounders who’ve created preseason hype, together with 49ers receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, Broncos working again Jonah Coleman and Colts security A.J. Haulcy.

Which 2026 draft picks may have big seasons? Who would possibly contribute in your fantasy soccer roster? Here’s our information to every part you’ll want to know in regards to the rookie class.

NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid and betting analyst Pamela Maldonado begin by naming early Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year contenders (together with their DraftKings odds to win). Then NFL analyst Matt Bowen picks 5 under-the-radar gamers to look at, nationwide NFL reporter Dan Graziano provides notes on the rookie QBs, and fantasy analyst Eric Moody initiatives the top 10 rookie performers in fantasy. To cap all of it off, we included Mike Clay’s projected rookie stat leaders.

Jump to:
OROY candidates | DROY candidates
Under-the-radar | Fantasy picks
Quarterback notes | Projections

Reid’s top Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates

Love grew to become the primary working again drafted within the top 5 since Saquon Barkley in 2018 (No. 2 general). That clearly provides him excessive expectations, however he may meet them as the point of interest of new coach Mike LaFleur’s offense in Arizona.

Love won’t solely contribute as a rusher but in addition as a move catcher, the place he can routinely make the most of mismatches. In his lone preseason sport towards the Raiders, he showcased what he is able to with 73 yards (58 speeding, 15 receiving) on 14 touches.

Replacing reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III will not be straightforward, however Price ought to carry an identical ability set to Seattle’s offense. Where Price may carry extra worth, although, is within the passing sport. Despite by no means surpassing double-digit receptions at Notre Dame, he confirmed loads of consolation when requested to be an choice out of the backfield.

Price must also shine due to a Brian Fleury offense that includes performs with two RBs and a mix of downhill working ideas. His 3.96 yards after contact per rush ranked twenty fifth amongst FBS rushers final season.

The No. 4 decide is anticipated to rework right into a go-to goal for second-year quarterback Cam Ward. Tate is a various route runner who can execute routes in any respect ranges of the sphere, however I anticipate him to face out within the vertical passing sport the place he can speed up previous defenders. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch throughout his remaining season at Ohio State, which ranked seventh within the FBS amongst gamers with not less than 50 receptions.

Stribling was a controversial decide on the top of the second spherical, however he had a strong preseason that included seven receptions in his first preseason sport. And with Ricky Pearsall lacking all the season after knee surgery, Stribling ought to have a neater path to targets in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system.

A bodily presence at 6-foot-2, 207 kilos, Stribling can also be an in depth route runner who had 409 yards after the catch final season (thirty third most within the FBS amongst all WRs). Shanahan is among the many greatest coaches at glorifying the well-rounded ability units of wideouts, and his work with Stribling must be no totally different.

Concepcion is a sleeper candidate to win OROY due to the a number of methods he may shine as a rookie. He not solely has inside-out versatility in new coach Todd Monken’s offense, however he is additionally a dynamic returner who can create optimistic performs on particular groups. In Year 1 with Monken, playmakers exterior of TE Harold Fannin Jr. are nonetheless unknown. Concepcion may shortly climb the ranks of dependable choices and show to be one of many extra explosive younger gamers within the NFL.

Maldonado’s top Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates

It’s how Washington plans to make use of Styles that makes his case intriguing. The Commanders will wish to make the most of his means on blitzes after Styles generated strain on 20% of his blitz alternatives at Ohio State. He additionally had the bottom missed-tackle fee amongst linebackers on this draft class. That provides the No. 7 decide a number of methods to construct a DROY résumé: tackles, sacks and impression performs.

As the No. 5 decide, Reese instantly steps right into a beginning position that can give him the snap quantity wanted to contend. The concern is what place these snaps will come from. With Abdul Carter and Brian Burns on the perimeters, Reese may be restricted within the linebacker position. He can nonetheless contribute as a blitzer, however the Giants would possibly barely blitz — Dennard Wilson’s protection in Tennessee final season ranked twenty eighth in blitz fee. Reese’s versatility would wish to translate into sufficient splash performs to win this award.

As a calculated lengthy shot, the first-round decide is already Chicago’s beginning robust security. He must be across the ball lots after enjoying 40% of his snaps within the field final season. Thieneman recorded 94 tackles in his remaining school season, whereas lacking simply 7.8% of his makes an attempt.

Safeties hardly ever win DROY, however the final one to do it was Mark Carrier with the Bears in 1990. Thieneman is worthy of bringing the award again residence given his quick position.

Banks enters the season with a beginning alternative on Minnesota’s line of defense, and he has the scale to turn out to be a right away inside disruptor. Although his school manufacturing was inconsistent, his pass-rush upside was thought-about among the many better of the inside defensive linemen in his class.

Coordinator Brian Flores may also transfer the No. 18 decide round his multiple-front protection to create favorable matchups. Banks’ first-round pedigree and disruptive means give him an affordable path to win this award.

The Chiefs traded up for the first-round cornerback to deal with a significant want following the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Delane may also make impression performs as a blitzer for coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, producing strain on 38% of his blitz alternatives in 2025 with LSU.

Though solely three cornerbacks have received DROY this century, he has the draft capital, beginning position and flexibility to be a powerful candidate.

Bowen’s under-the-radar rookies

Fields has the bodily profile at 6-foot-4, 218 kilos to win one-on-one targets because the boundary X receiver. Plus, the third-rounder can get the ball on deep in-breakers and beneath throws. Fields is pushing for the No. 2 position in New York, and his ability set ought to complement that of WR1 Malik Nabers.

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The Raiders’ second decide after drafting Mendoza, Stukes has seen reps with the first-team protection in camp. He has the vary and instincts to play from depth in split-field or put up alignments, and he brings a protection component to new coordinator Rob Leonard’s system. Look for Stukes to even align on the nickelback place.

The Broncos landed Coleman within the fourth spherical, and the rookie has flashed this preseason. He has the foot quickness and imaginative and prescient to thrive in Denver’s speeding assault, however he additionally provides to the move sport along with his receiving expertise and blocking means. Coleman is the third choice for Denver in a committee with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey.

The fourth-round decide is a movement/motion goal who may be schemed on manufactured touches (screens, jet sweeps and backfield alignments) but in addition has the traits to function out of the slot and contribute instantly as a kick returner. He brings big-play juice to educate Kevin Stefanski’s first season in Atlanta.

On his school tape at LSU, the third-rounder displayed the top-down pace and ball expertise to impression the center of the sphere (10 profession interceptions). And he’s an pressing run defender. That matches because the beginning robust security beneath second-year Colts coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Graziano’s notes on rookie QBs, and once they may begin

He’ll open the season on the bench behind Kirk Cousins, making him the primary No. 1 decide at quarterback to not begin Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018. It stands to purpose the Raiders wish to see him begin in some unspecified time in the future this season, however they’ve been adamant that they do not wish to play him till he is prepared they usually really feel able to put him in place to succeed. Unless one thing occurs to Cousins or the Raiders seriously change their plan, do not anticipate to see Mendoza earlier than November.

The different first-round QB from this draft, Simpson is a future-focused decide. The Rams hope they do not even have to consider utilizing him this season, as a result of that might imply one thing has occurred to reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. And even when one thing does, it is nonetheless unclear whether or not Simpson would get the primary crack at beginning forward of Stetson Bennett IV.

The third-round decide will open the season because the third-string behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II. But if and when Arizona falls out of the playoff race, the Cardinals would possibly wish to give Beck some begins to see whether or not he is an choice for the long run or whether or not they should discover one within the 2027 draft. I may see Beck getting some December begins.

Similar state of affairs to Beck in Arizona. Klubnik is a fourth-round decide who opens on the bench behind a starter who clearly is not the staff’s future. If the Jets fall out of rivalry and/or Geno Smith struggles, Klubnik may get a late-season look.

Rinse, repeat. Third-round decide, starter is previous. But Allar feels much less more likely to play this season than Beck or Klubnik do. Despite being 42, Aaron Rodgers missed just one sport final season. Mason Rudolph remains to be there as a veteran backup. And even when they wanted to go to Plan C, that may very well be 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard. We cannot rule out Allar beginning in a tryout-type position if Pittsburgh’s season collapses, nevertheless it normally doesn’t.

He’s third in line in the mean time behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, neither of whom anybody in Cleveland appears very enthusiastic about. The Browns may put in some packages for the speedy Green, and positive, he may begin in some unspecified time in the future this season. You by no means know the way determined issues will get at quarterback in Cleveland.

It would take an harm to Baker Mayfield for Daniels to begin, nevertheless it’s price noting that the Bucs have solely these two on the roster proper now (plus Easton Stick on the observe squad). The undrafted rookie is expected to be next up to start if one thing occurs to maintain Mayfield from doing so.

Moody’s top fantasy rookies

Arizona took him at No. 3 general for a purpose. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry in school, can play all three downs and is projected for 18.7 touches per sport. In a league filled with committees, that type of workload retains Love firmly on the RB1 radar.

Tate did not catch any of his 5 preseason targets, however do not let that deter you from drafting him in fantasy. He averaged 13.1 yards per goal final season and caught 75% of his profession targets at Ohio State. Tennessee plans to maneuver him across the formation, and he is projected for 121 targets.

With Zach Charbonnet on the physically unable to perform listing (torn ACL) for not less than 4 video games, Price ought to open the season as Seattle’s lead again. The Seahawks additionally ranked fourth in whole speeding makes an attempt final season, giving Price an opportunity to provide instantly. Charbonnet ought to ultimately minimize into that workload as soon as he returns.

Stribling was one of many largest risers of the preseason, and he was blazing quick on the mix with a 4.36-second 40-yard sprint. The 49ers anticipate to make use of him in three-receiver formations, and given Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr.’s age and harm histories, Stribling may turn out to be a late-season difference-maker.

Philadelphia traded up to No. 20 for Lemon after he averaged 3.04 yards per route run in school and dropped simply three of 190 profession targets. With A.J. Brown gone, there are targets out there, however Lemon nonetheless has to beat out Dontayvion Wicks for an even bigger position. Lemon is a WR5 for now in fantasy leagues, with room to climb if he locks down the No. 2 job.

Concepcion ought to have a giant position instantly after Cleveland took him within the first spherical. His 27.2% profession goal share led this rookie class, and his quickness makes him harmful on brief and intermediate routes. The concern is quarterback play and goal competitors from Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr. and Denzel Boston. If the Browns’ passing sport is healthier than anticipated, Concepcion may discover himself on the flex radar.

Boston, like Concepcion, ought to have an opportunity to play instantly however has a low ground due to Cleveland’s quarterback state of affairs. The No. 39 decide scored 20 touchdowns over his remaining two seasons at Washington, and he dropped simply 4 of 209 profession targets. Boston’s dimension and ball expertise ought to make him an element close to the aim line; he is a superb late-round stash for fantasy managers.

Tyson was the No. 8 decide after a powerful profession at Arizona State, the place he commanded a 35% goal share in 2025 and scored 22 touchdowns in 33 school video games. He was in line for a giant position behind Chris Olave earlier than a hamstring injury landed him on IR. Once Tyson is wholesome, he has an opportunity to work his manner into the flex radar.

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Coleman has an intriguing three-down again profile. He averaged 3.73 yards after contact in school, led this rookie class in pressured missed deal with fee and ranked top-24 in yards per route run in two of his remaining three seasons. Behind one of many league’s higher offensive traces in Denver, Coleman may turn out to be a possible league winner if J.Okay. Dobbins or RJ Harvey get injured.

Mendoza shouldn’t be price drafting in most leagues but, however he must be an attention-grabbing waiver add if the Raiders flip to him this season. At Indiana in 2025, he accomplished 72% of his passes for 41 touchdowns. And he was a powerful rusher with four hundred and forty yards for seven scores.

Clay’s projected rookie class stat leaders

Passing yards

1. Fernando Mendoza: 3,059
2. Carson Beck: 451
T-3. Drew Allar: 160
T-3. Jalon Daniels: 160

Passing TDs

1. Fernando Mendoza: 14
2. Carson Beck: 3

Numerous different rookies tied for third with one passing TD.

Passing interceptions

1. Fernando Mendoza: 11
2. Carson Beck: 2
3. Ty Simpson: 1

QB speeding yards

1. Fernando Mendoza: 226
2. Carson Beck: 29
3. Cade Klubnik: 7

Rushing yards

1. Jeremiyah Love: 1,126
2. Jadarian Price: 923
2. Kaelon Black: 311

Rushing TDs

1. Jadarian Price: 8
2. Jeremiyah Love: 7

Numerous different rookies tied for third with two speeding TDs.

RB receiving yards

1. Jeremiyah Love: 488
2. Jadarian Price: 212
3. Jonah Coleman: 127

Receiving yards

1. Carnell Tate: 1,023
2. De’Zhaun Stribling: 792
3. Makai Lemon: 741

Receiving TDs

T-1. De’Zhaun Stribling: 5
T-1. Makai Lemon: 5

Numerous different rookies tied for third with 4 receiving TDs.

Tackles

1. Sonny Styles: 129
2. Jacob Rodriguez: 116
3. Arvell Reese: 115

Sacks

1. David Bailey: 8
2. Rueben Bain Jr.: 6
3. Akheem Mesidor: 5

Interceptions

T-1. Caleb Downs: 2
T-1. Dillon Thieneman: 2
T-1. Treydan Stukes: 2
T-1. Mansoor Delane: 2
T-1. Chris Johnson: 2

Numerous different rookie defenders tied for second with one interception.