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

ByMatt Bowen, Mike Clay, Dan Graziano, Pamela Maldonado, Jordan Reid ESPN logo

Saturday, September 5, 2026 10:10AM

Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season will feature plenty of rookie debuts. Although No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza won't make an appearance for at least a few weeks, the rest of the top-five selections should have an early impact (Jets edge rusherDavid Bailey, Cardinals running backJeremiyah Love, Titans receiverCarnell Tate and Giants linebackerArvell Reese). And there are plenty of non-first-rounders who have created preseason hype, including 49ers receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, Broncos running back Jonah Colemanand Colts safety A.J. Haulcy.

Which 2026 draft picks could have huge seasons? Who might contribute on your fantasy football roster? Here's our guide to everything you need to know about the rookie class.

NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid and betting analyst Pamela Maldonado start by naming early Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year contenders (including their DraftKings odds to win). ThenNFL analyst Matt Bowen picks five under-the-radar players to watch, national NFL reporter Dan Graziano gives notes on the rookie QBs, and fantasy analyst Eric Moody projects the top 10 rookie performers in fantasy. To cap it all off, we included Mike Clay'sprojected 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

1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals(+550)

Love became the first running back drafted in the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018 (No. 2 overall). That obviously gives him high expectations, but he could meet them as the focal point of new coach Mike LaFleur's offense in Arizona.

Love will not only contribute as a rusher but also as a pass catcher, where he can routinely take advantage of mismatches. In his lone preseason game against the Raiders, he showcased what he's capable of with 73 yards (58 rushing, 15 receiving) on 14 touches.

2. Jadarian Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks(+650)

Replacing reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III won't be easy, but Price should bring a similar skill set to Seattle's offense. Where Price could bring more value, though, is in the passing game. Despite never surpassing double-digit receptions at Notre Dame, he showed plenty of comfort when asked to be an option out of the backfield.

Price should also shine because of aBrian Fleury offense featuring plays with two RBs and a mixture of downhill running concepts. His 3.96 yards after contact per rush ranked 25th among FBS rushers last season.

3. Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans(+600)

The No. 4 pick is expected to transform into a go-to target for second-year quarterbackCam Ward. Tate is a diverse route runner who can execute routes at all levels of the field, but I expect him to stand out in the vertical passing game where he can accelerate past defenders. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch during his final season at Ohio State, which ranked seventh in the FBS among players with at least 50 receptions.

4. De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, San Francisco 49ers(+1100)

Stribling was a controversial pick at the top of the second round, but he had a strong preseason that included seven receptions in his first preseason game. And withRicky Pearsallmissing the entire season after knee surgery, Stribling should have an easier path to targets in coach Kyle Shanahan's system.

A physical presence at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Stribling is also a detailed route runner who had 409 yards after the catch last season (33rd most in the FBS among all WRs). Shanahan is among the best coaches at glorifying the well-rounded skill sets of wideouts, and his work with Stribling should be no different.

5. KC Concepcion, WR, Cleveland Browns(+1800)

Concepcion is a sleeper candidate to win OROY because of the multiple ways he could shine as a rookie. He not only has inside-out versatility in new coach Todd Monken's offense, but he's also a dynamic returner who can create positive plays on special teams. In Year 1 with Monken, playmakers outside of TE Harold Fannin Jr. are still unknown. Concepcion could quickly climb the ranks of reliable options and prove to be one of the more explosive young players in the NFL.

Maldonado's top Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates

1. Sonny Styles, LB, Washington Commanders (+750)

It's how Washington plans to use Styles that makes his case intriguing. The Commanders will want to take advantage of his ability on blitzes after Styles generated pressure on 20% of his blitz opportunities at Ohio State. He also had the lowest missed-tackle rate among linebackers in this draft class. That gives the No. 7 pick multiple ways to build a DROY résumé: tackles, sacks and impact plays.

2. Arvell Reese, LB, New York Giants (+850)

As the No. 5 pick, Reese immediately steps into a starting role that will give him the snap volume needed to contend. The concern is what position those snaps will come from. With Abdul Carter and Brian Burns on the edges, Reese might be limited in the linebacker role. He can still contribute as a blitzer, but the Giants might barely blitz -- Dennard Wilson's defense in Tennessee last season ranked 28th in blitz rate. Reese's versatility would need to translate into enough splash plays to win this award.

3. Dillon Thieneman, S, Chicago Bears (+2500)

As a calculated long shot, the first-round pick is already Chicago's starting strong safety. He should be around the ball plenty after playing 40% of his snaps in the box last season. Thieneman recorded 94 tackles in his final college season, while missing just 7.8% of his attempts.

Safeties rarely win DROY, but the last one to do it was Mark Carrier with the Bears in 1990. Thieneman is worthy of bringing the award back home given his immediate role.

4. Caleb Banks, DT, Minnesota Vikings (+7000)

Banks enters the season with a starting opportunity on Minnesota's defensive line, and he has the size to become an immediate interior disruptor. Although his college production was inconsistent, his pass-rush upside was considered among the best of the interior defensive linemen in his class.

Coordinator Brian Flores can also move the No. 18 pick around his multiple-front defense to create favorable matchups. Banks' first-round pedigree and disruptive ability give him a reasonable path to win this award.

5. Mansoor Delane, CB, Kansas City Chiefs (+1100)

The Chiefs traded up for the first-round cornerback to address a major need following the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Delane can also make impact plays as a blitzer forcoordinator Steve Spagnuolo, generating pressure on 38% of his blitz opportunities in 2025 with LSU.

Though only three cornerbacks have won DROY this century, he has the draft capital, starting role and versatility to be a strong candidate.

Bowen's under-the-radar rookies

1. Malachi Fields, WR, New York Giants

Fields has the physical profile at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds to win one-on-one targets as the boundary X receiver. Plus, the third-rounder can get the ball on deep in-breakers and underneath throws. Fields is pushing for the No. 2 role in New York, and his skill set should complement that of WR1 Malik Nabers.

2. Treydan Stukes, S, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders' second pick after drafting Mendoza, Stukes has seen reps with the first-team defense in camp. He has the range and instincts to play from depth in split-field or post alignments, and he brings a coverage element to new coordinator Rob Leonard's system. Look for Stukes to even align at the nickelback position.

3. Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos

The Broncos landed Coleman in the fourth round, and the rookie has flashed this preseason. He has the foot quickness and vision to thrive in Denver's rushing attack, but he also adds to the pass game with his receiving skills and blocking ability. Coleman is the third option for Denver in a committee with J.K. Dobbins andRJ Harvey.

4. Zachariah Branch, WR, Atlanta Falcons

The fourth-round pick is a motion/movement target who can be schemed on manufactured touches (screens, jet sweeps and backfield alignments) but also has the traits to operate out of the slot and contribute immediately as a kick returner. He brings big-play juice to coach Kevin Stefanski's first season in Atlanta.

5. A.J. Haulcy, S, Indianapolis Colts

On his college tape at LSU, the third-rounder displayed the top-down speed and ball skills to impact the middle of the field (10 career interceptions). And he is an urgent run defender. That fits as the starting strong safety under second-year Colts coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Graziano's notes on rookie QBs, and when they could start

Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders

He'll open the season on the bench behind Kirk Cousins, making him the first No. 1 pick at quarterback to not start Week 1 sinceBaker Mayfield in 2018. It stands to reason the Raiders want to see him start at some point this season, but they have been adamant that they don't want to play him until he's ready and they feel ready to put him in position to succeed. Unless something happens to Cousins or the Raiders radically change their plan, don't expect to see Mendoza before November.

Ty Simpson, Los Angeles Rams

The other first-round QB from this draft, Simpson is a future-focused pick. The Rams hope they don't even have to think about using him this season, because that would mean something has happened to reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. And even if something does, it's still unclear whether Simpson would get the first crack at starting ahead of Stetson Bennett IV.

Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals

The third-round pick will open the season as the third-string behindJacoby Brissett andGardner Minshew II. But if and when Arizona falls out of the playoff race, the Cardinals might want to give Beck some starts to see whether he's an option for the future or whether they need to find one in the 2027 draft. I could see Beck getting some December starts.

Cade Klubnik, New York Jets

Similar situation to Beck in Arizona. Klubnik is a fourth-round pick who opens on the bench behind a starter who clearly isn't the team's future. If the Jets fall out of contention and/or Geno Smith struggles, Klubnik could get a late-season look.

Drew Allar, Pittsburgh Steelers

Rinse, repeat. Third-round pick, starter is old. But Allar feels less likely to play this season than Beck or Klubnik do. Despite being 42,Aaron Rodgersmissed only one game last season. Mason Rudolph is still there as a veteran backup. And even if they needed to go to Plan C, that could be 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard. We can't rule out Allar starting in a tryout-type role if Pittsburgh's season collapses, but it usually does not.

Taylen Green, Cleveland Browns

He's third in line at the moment behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, neither of whom anyone in Cleveland seems very excited about. The Browns could put in some packages for the speedy Green, and sure, he could start at some point this season. You never know how desperate things will get at quarterback in Cleveland.

Jalon Daniels,Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It would take an injury to Baker Mayfieldfor Daniels to start, but it's worth noting that the Bucs have only those two on the roster right now (plus Easton Stick on the practice squad). The undrafted rookie is expected to be next up to start if something happens to keep Mayfield from doing so.

Moody's top fantasy rookies

1. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Arizona took him at No. 3 overall for a reason. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry in college, can play all three downs and is projected for 18.7 touches per game. In a league full of committees, that kind of workload keeps Love firmly on the RB1 radar.

2. Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans

Tate didn't catch any of his five preseason targets, but don't let that deter you from drafting him in fantasy. He averaged 13.1 yards per target last season and caught 75% of his career targets at Ohio State. Tennessee plans to move him around the formation, and he's projected for 121 targets.

3. Jadarian Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks

WithZach Charbonnet on the physically unable to performlist (torn ACL) for at least four games, Price should open the season as Seattle's lead back. The Seahawks also ranked fourth in total rushing attempts last season, giving Price a chance to produce right away.Charbonnetshould eventually cut into that workload once he returns.

4. De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Stribling was one of the biggest risers of the preseason, and he was blazing fast at the combine with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash. The 49ers expect to use him in three-receiver formations, and given Mike Evans andDeebo Samuel Sr.'sage and injury histories, Stribling could become a late-season difference-maker.

5. Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia traded up to No. 20 for Lemon after he averaged 3.04 yards per route run in college and dropped just three of 190 career targets. With A.J. Brown gone, there are targets available, but Lemon still has to beat out Dontayvion Wicks for a bigger role. Lemon is a WR5 for now in fantasy leagues, with room to climb if he locks down the No. 2 job.

6. KC Concepcion, WR, Cleveland Browns

Concepcion should have a big role right away after Cleveland took him in the first round. His 27.2% career target share led this rookie class, and his quickness makes him dangerous on short and intermediate routes. The concern is quarterback play and target competition from Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr. andDenzel Boston. If the Browns' passing game is better than expected, Concepcion could find himself on the flex radar.

7. Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns

Boston, like Concepcion, should have a chance to play right away but has a low floor because ofCleveland's quarterback situation. The No. 39 pick scored 20 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Washington, and he dropped just four of 209 career targets. Boston's size and ball skills should make him a factor near the goal line; he's a good late-round stash for fantasy managers.

8. Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints

Tyson was the No. 8 pick after a strong career at Arizona State, where he commanded a 35% target share in 2025 and scored 22 touchdowns in 33 college games. He was in line for a big role behind Chris Olave before a hamstring injury landed him on IR. Once Tyson is healthy, he has a chance to work his way into the flex radar.

9. Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos

Colemanhas an intriguing three-down back profile. He averaged 3.73 yards after contact in college, led this rookie class in forced missed tackle rate and ranked top-24 in yards per route run in two of his final three seasons. Behind one of the league's better offensive lines in Denver, Coleman could become a potential league winner if J.K. Dobbins or RJ Harvey get injured.

10. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Mendoza is notworth drafting in most leagues yet, but he should be an interesting waiver add if the Raiders turn to him this season. At Indiana in 2025, he completed 72% of his passes for 41 touchdowns. And he was a strong rusher with 440 yards for seven scores.