Fernando Mendoza enters the 2026 season chasing Jeremiyah Love in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race
Saquon Barkley was the last running back to win the award, in 2018
The NFL preseason is officially heating up as Week 2 kicks off with the Las Vegas Raiders traveling to take on the Houston Texans . During their opening exhibition match against the Arizona Cardinals, rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza flashed his potential by completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
However, the front office and coaching staff plan to ease their prized rookie into action, slating veteran Kirk Cousins as the primary starter to begin the regular season.
Meanwhile, Arizona's rookie running back and third overall pick, Jeremiyah Love , made a massive first impression in that same 27-14 victory, rumbling for 58 rushing yards on heavy touches while adding three receptions to lead the team's backfield snaps.
The Early Betting Battle for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Looking ahead to the regular season, sportsbooks have installed both Mendoza and Love as the frontrunners for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Love currently holds the top spot at +500 odds , despite navigating a brutal schedule against powerhouse defenses from the NFC West (Rams, Seahawks, 49ers) and the AFC West (Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders).
Should Love capture the honor, he would become the first running back to win the award since Saquon Barkley dominated in 2018 by racking up 2,028 total yards (1,307 rushing) and 15 total touchdowns (11 rushing) .
Meanwhile, Mendoza sits closely behind at +550 odds , though his ultimate candidacy depends heavily on when he officially wrests the starting job away from Cousins.
If he secures the role early, Mendoza aims to follow in the footsteps of recent history as just the third quarterback in four years to claim the award, following wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan , who took home the hardware last season.
Chasing the Frontrunners: Rising Stars Eyeing the Rookie Crown
Tied right behind the top favorites at +600 odds is Love's former teammate at Notre Dame, Jadarian Price . The dynamic running back was selected in the first round by the defending champion Seattle Seahawks , where he is expected to fill the void left by Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III while sharing a backfield with Zach Charbonnet , who continues working his way back from injury.
Sharing those same +600 odds is explosive wideout Carnell Tate , the fourth overall pick who arrived in Tennessee to bolster Cam Ward's receiving corps.
Working alongside established veterans like Calvin Ridley and Wan'Dale Robinson under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll , Tate is primed for an immediate, high-volume role that could easily vault him to the top of the rookie leaderboards before winter arrives.
