The NFL 2026-27 season is approaching and 2026-27 NFL Rookie of the Year odds are now available at legal football sportsbooks. Below is a full breakdown of the odds for the offensive and defensive award winners as we approach the NFL regular season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year odds
Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
How to bet on the NFL Rookie of the Year
Sportsbooks typically release Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year odds shortly after the NFL Draft. These are long-term futures bets, meaning they aren’t settled until the end of the season when the winners are announced. As a result, it’s important to monitor factors such as playing time, team situation, and early-season performance, since these can cause odds to move quickly.
The awards are usually handed out during the NFL Honors ceremony in early February. Bettors simply select the rookie they believe will have the most impact over the course of the season. For example, a $100 bet at +800 odds would return an $800 profit if successful, while a $100 wager at +300 odds would yield a $300 profit.
Recent NFL ROY winners
Every season, a lot of talented players enter the NFL, and many go on to make their mark on the league. If we look back over the past decade of NFL Rookie of the Year winners, there’s no shortage of name recognition or impact players.
Offensive ROY winners
| Player | Team | Year |
| QB Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders | 2024 |
| QB C.J. Stroud | Houston Texans | 2023 |
| WR Garrett Wilson | New York Jets | 2022 |
| WR Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals | 2021 |
| QB Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | 2020 |
| QB Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals | 2019 |
| RB Saquon Barkley | New York Giants | 2018 |
| RB Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints | 2017 |
| QB Dak Prescott | Dallas Cowboys | 2016 |
| RB Todd Gurley | St. Louis Rams | 2015 |
Defensive ROY winners
| Player | Team | Year |
| LB Jared Verse | Los Angeles Rams | 2024 |
| DE Will Anderson | Houston Texans | 2023 |
| CB Sauce Gardner | New York Jets | 2022 |
| LB Micah Parsons | Dallas Cowboys | 2021 |
| DE Chase Young | Washington Commanders | 2020 |
| DL Nick Bosa | San Francisco 49ers | 2019 |
| LB Darius Leonard | Indianapolis Colts | 2018 |
| DB Marshon Lattimore | New Orleans Saints | 2017 |
| DL Joey Bosa | San Diego Chargers | 2016 |
| DB Marcus Peters | Kansas City Chiefs | 2015 |
Which position is the best bet for Rookie of the Year?
Since 1967, there have been two main Rookie of the Year awards annually, one for offensive players and another for defenders. Here’s the position breakdown of winners on both sides of the ball since that point.
- Offensive ROY winners
- QB: 12
- RB: 35
- WR: 11
Historically, running backs hold a massive edge, but the distribution has been much more level over the past decade. Of the past 10 winners, there have been four quarterbacks, three running backs, and three wide receivers.
- Defensive ROY winners
- CB: 9
- DE: 13
- DT: 7
- LB: 27
- S: 2
On an all-time basis, linebackers have racked up the most awards by a wide margin. However, the split also evens out here over the last 10 years: four defensive ends, three cornerbacks, two linebackers and one defensive tackle.
NFL Rookie of the Year FAQ
This has happened six times, with the most recent occurring in 2019 when Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray won the award. Of the six players in this exclusive group, the breakdown is three each for quarterbacks and running backs.
The legendary Jim Brown is the only player who has won the award in his rookie season. The Cleveland Browns RB rushed for 1,133 yards and 10 TDs over 12 games, easily winning Rookie of the Year honors, as well.
Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase was the Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2021 season. The Bengals went on a run through the AFC playoffs before falling to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.