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Arizona is about to feel the love.
The Cardinals took Notre Dame standout running back Jeremiah Love with the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He became the highest running back taken since Saquon Barkley went second to the New York Giants back in the 2018 draft.
So is Love a shoo-in to win Offensive Rookie of the Year? Or will No. 1 pick quarterback Fernando Mendoza take home the hardware?
Let’s check out the early odds for OROY at DraftKing’s Sportsbook as of April 24th.
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2026-27 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds
Jeremiah Love (Cardinals): +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)
Carnell Tate (Titans): +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Jordyn Tyson (Saints): +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
Fernando Mendoza (Raiders): +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Jadarian Price (Seahawks): +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
Makai Lemon (Eagles): +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Omar Cooper Jr. (Jets): +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Kenyon Sadiq (Jets): +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Here’s what you need to know about the odds board:
Love Relationships: Arizona has found its new soul mate in the backfield as Love is favored to win the OROY at the end of next season. He had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing scores for the Fighting Irish last season after having 1,125 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns the year before. FOX Sports NFL analyst Rob Rang had this to say after the Cardinals made the pick: “Ditch the narrative of positional value. Love’s ability to instantly boost rookie coach Mike LaFleur’s offense justifies this pick. Frankly, GM Monti Ossenfort needed a slam dunk, and Love should provide it. His creativity, cutting speed and sense of the NFL have paid off. Barkley and Bijan Robinson from scouts who have traveled through South Bend in the last two years.”
How about Nando’s?: The first choice came as no surprise when Mendoza landed in Las Vegas. He threw for 3,535 yards and 41 scores last season, winning both the Heisman and the College Football Playoff title for Indiana. Said Rang, “An ideal fit for the Raiders from both a physical and intangible perspective, Mendoza isn’t just the right choice, he’s the perfect fit. His prototypical size, pre- and post-snap recognition and accuracy from both the pocket and on the move should make him a star on rookie coach Klint Kubiak’s breakout team, and even better, Mendoza-based has a city team based on a city team. with the many different distractions of Las Vegas.”
