It is now about half way through the NFL season, and it’s time to evaluate the race for Offensive and defensive Rookie of the year. The offensive picture has not changed much since the quarter mark, but the defensive odds have shifted a bit as a result of no one running away with the award. The draft class has a lot of depth. This season, sixty rookies played at least 250 snaps on offense or defense. When 100+ snaps are included, the number increases by more than twofold. For example, the Browns have eight rookies that have played at least one hundred offensive or defensive snaps. My five favorite candidates for the Offensive and Defense Rookie of The Year Awards, along with a sleeper in each category. Odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Monday afternoon. New users are eligible for up to $200 in bonus bets.Offensive Rookie of the YearQB Jaxson Dart, Giants (-130)WR Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (+175)TE Tyler Warren, Colts (+650)WR Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (+1400)RB Quinshon Judkins, Browns (+2200)Over the past 10 years, Offensive Rookie of the Year has been awarded to five quarterbacks, three running backs and two wide receivers. Quarterbacks won the award four times in the past six years. Warren’s odds of winning are somewhat ominous, as a tight-end has never won. His chances are boosted by the Colts playing so well together.
Dart is now the Giants’ starting quarterback and has established himself as a more productive player. Dart is a clear candidate for Offensive rookie of the year if he doesn’t deviate from his course. Egbuka cooled off over the last few weeks, and is dealing with an injured. He leads all rookies in both receiving yards (562) and touchdowns received (5). McMillan is a major part of Carolina’s offensive scheme. McMillan might not have a stat line that is strong enough for Dart to surpass. He leads all rookies in targets with 69.
Judkins (+1800), the Raiders’ running back Ashton Jeanty, and Jeanty were battling for fifth place. Judkins’ production has been higher in a smaller sample, but margins are thin. Titans quarterback Cam Ward is the No. It was hard to imagine his supporting cast improving to the point that they could rejoin the discussion. Sleeper: Oronde Gadsden (TE, Chargers) (+2500). Gadsden may not have played as much in the last month as some of the other rookies on this list but he has been the most productive. Over that period, he has averaged 94.25 receiving yards per game. If he keeps up this pace, then +2500 is a good bet.
Wilson’s NFL 2026 mock draft: Saints pick QB and Arvellreese as the first defensive player.
Ryan Wilson
Defensive Rookie of the YearEDGE Abdul Carter, Giants (+135)LB Jihaad Campbell, Eagles (+250)S Nick Emmanwori, Seahawks (+250)EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Cowboys (+2800)CB Will Johnson, Cardinals (+3000)Over the past 10 years, six pass rushers, three cornerbacks and one linebacker have won the award. Five of the last six awards have gone to pass rushers. As rookies, these players had an average of 8.2 sacks. Most recently, Jared Verse won the award with 4.5 sacks. Shaq Leonard (2018) is the last pure linebacker to win the award since Luke Kuechly in 2012. Leonard’s stats were impressive, with 163 tackles total, seven sacks and four forced fumbles. He also recovered two fumbles.
Carter is a great pressure maker for the Giants. But Brian Burns holds the sack production monopoly (11). Nobody else in the team has more that 2.5 sacks. Campbell’s stats may not be spectacular in one area, but they should still be filled. Campbell is a linebacker who makes plays in all areas of the field. He’s a member of an Eagles squad that will be back in title contention. Emmanwori is only available for five games, but his presence on the field is noticeable. Mike Macdonald gave him the ideal opportunity to develop his schematic. Carter is leaving the door wide open so a young player like Emmanwori can create a positive narrative and be considered.
Ezeiruaku is a flash for a Cowboys squad that needs to create pressure. It wouldn’t be surprising if Ezeiruaku had more inflated totals of sacks than Carter, despite his lesser impact on the overall game. Johnson has been a consistent good player. However, he may not have earned the team or individual accolades necessary to support his claim. Sleeper: LB Carson Schwesinger Browns (+3500). Schwesinger had been the favorite by the quarter-season point. He has more tackles and sacks than any other rookie. He is currently dealing with a high-ankle sprain, which will take some time to heal. The Browns won’t give him the boost in team success that other rookies might receive.
2025-11-03 22:57:56
