NFL Awards 2026: NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and More
It's ABOUT THAT TIME! The NFL season is upon us. Everybody, rejoice. Just in case you don't remember how it's done, I'll break down my entire 2026 futures portfolio across a few articles covering an array of topics. LET'S GO!!!
First up are the awards, an always challenging set of markets in the minds of subjective voters. I did cover everything in my podcast here, but of course, I want to make sure everybody has something to reference on RotoWire.
For a lot of bettors, awards really hit home as the preferred NFL futures markets to get some action on. Without further ado, let's get ripping on the task at hand.
NFL MVP
Arguably the most slanted award in all of pro sports. The NFL MVP is 99.999999% of the time designed for a QB. Only three non-QB's (all running backs) have won the award since 2000, with Adrian Peterson being the last in 2012.
Not only is taking a signal caller a virtual necessity, but it typically goes to a player who is the one- or two-seed in the conference (2008 Peyton Manning was the last three-seed or lower to win). Then, of course, you need the statistical profile: à la the 4,500+ passing yards with at least 38 touchdowns. When you break it down, there's only a handful of players worth a bet, but the odds have a way of ruining it. Keep in mind: just because I put a player down, he isn't necessarily the person I am officially picking, but a bet I am making because of factors like price and projection.
Make sure you reference RotoWire for your NFL MVP odds. My team PUT ON for you, making sure all major books and the available prices are in one location. That makes finding all NFL futures and NFL player futures, and their latest prices, a breeze. Not taking advantage of that convenience would be silly.
Lamar Jackson +1100 (FD)
As shopping around is always important, there's a significant variance in FanDuel's price compared to, say, DraftKings (8/1). 11/1 is not only the best available price in the market, but it's a little jaw-dropping, to say the least, for a two-time MVP still in his prime.
Obviously, 2025 did not go to plan with 2,549 yards and a 21 TD/7 INT ratio, and of course I reached on LJ in fantasy. He battled injuries, was not as efficient, and faced a lot of turmoil in his own house. Fast forward to 2026, John Harbaugh is out after nearly two decades and Chargers DC Jesse Minter fills the void as the skipper.
The roster should be better with King Henry back, Zay Flowers stepping up for another strong year, rookie WR Ja'Kobi Lane joining the team and what should be an improved defense. With a fresh new voice and approach, this could be the Ravens team we've known over the past half decade.
Looking at the rest of the field, there's not much better bang for your buck at the moment. I like Josh Allen a lot, but 6/1 is too short this early along with an incredibly difficult opening six weeks on the schedule. The Ravens have a lot of winnable games early on this year. Plus with Lamar healthy again and the AFC North still firmly in their grasp, I think the whole Ravens squad is about to show out.
Bo Nix +3500 (DraftKings)
I know some of you who read my article last year will remember I had Bo Nix for a sprinkle. All in all, he did have a pretty strong year, though it wasn't MVP caliber. But every year, we see Nix improve under Sean Payton and the budding Denver Broncos. Coming off a 3,931-yard, 25 TD/11 INT season, there's reason to see Nix keep climbing the ladder.
This could finally be the year where Nix locks in the 4,300-plus passing yards along with 35 TDs and adds in another 5 rushing TDs or so.
They had a couple of big offensive additions over the offseason, bringing WR Jaylen Waddle over from Miami and drafting RB Jonah Coleman. They're expected to retain the same defensive dominance.
The magic of Denver led to a 14-win campaign and narrowly lost a shot at the AFC title. It may be a little more challenging to repeat that kind of success, but the AFC West is up for grabs despite the talent and competition within. The Chargers and the Chiefs have high expectations, but there's no guarantee they live up to the hype in 2026.
The one caveat is the schedule. It's brutal this year. Straight out of the gate they get Kansas City on the road. But a win like that could set the momentum up big time. Then it goes Jags, Rams, at 49ers, at Chargers, Seahawks, at Cardinals, Chiefs, at Panthers before their bye week.
That's why Nix is 35/1 and only worth a sprinkle early in the year, but I still think Denver is a team that can challenge among the best in the AFC again. On the flip side, if they start out 3-0, there's going to be serious steam on Nix.
Offensive Player of the Year
OPOY is absolutely one of the most fun awards to bet, but it ain't easy. It's open season with WRs, RBs, and even QBs having a realistic shot to win this one. There's a big cat and mouse game in this award. With such a large field, the evaluation process gets nit-picky. For instance, I love Jahmyr Gibbs, but I don't think I'm rushing in for +650. It's finding the good value early and playing the market throughout the year.
Jonathan Taylor +2200 (DraftKings)
I gotta tell you. For the value and price of what/who we're getting here, Jonathan Taylor is a no-brainer for me. JT went NUCLEAR last season - 323 carries (most in NFL), 1,585 yards (3rd), and 18 rush TD (most). That guy is 22/1... no way.
I covered this on my podcast last week. If Daniel Jones didn't get hurt last season, Taylor's numbers would have been even better, as the Colts would have also been more successful. Once Dimes went down, it changed everything for Indy. Now that Jones looks good to go, we could see another huge start for them in 2026.
While there are a lot of stud backs in the NFL, it seems JT is one of the more undervalued despite putting up big numbers. While the rest of the market focuses on Gibbs, Bijan, CMC and Derrick Henry (rightfully so), there's a spot for Taylor for in the conversation. When he stays healthy, he's put up massive numbers. And as long as the Colts and Jones are decent, he should eat again.
Out of the gate, it's tough sledding with Ravens, @ Chiefs, Texans, but it does soften up a bit with Commanders, Steelers, and Titans next. There will be give and take throughout the year with matchups, but there's enough consistency for Taylor to thrive again and make 22/1 a bargain.
Puka Nacua +1400 (BetMGM)
When I first looked at the OPOY a couple months ago, the name the popped up for me was Puka. Pook Daddy has been ripping since he got into the league and despite his legal trouble along with some minor injuries, he looks poised to have a monster year for a Rams team that seems like they're pushing for one last Super Bowl ride for Matthew Stafford.
The award is difficult to choose because there are so many options. In recent years, it's transitioned from a primary running back award in the late 90's to late 2000's to a running back and QB award in the 2010's to now a RB and WR award in the 2020's. It's harder for running backs now to win because the expectation is at least 2000 scrimmage yards (if not 2000 rush yards) and at least 12+ scores. But for WRs, the yardage expected is a little less. In any case, Puka has the ability, volume, and QB to check all the boxes.
It seems like (not guaranteed) the suspension won't come down this year for Nacua. The injury doesn't look like it will keep him out right now either. Entering his fourth year, Puka is coming a 129/1,715/10 season in 16 games, which is easily a career best. There's been a lot of noise from the outside this off-season as Puka was living his hot boy summer to the fullest straight out of the Odell Beckham Jr. training guide. But it looks like he's focused on this season, especially with all the hype around the Rams for 2026. The mission for the team is Super Bowl or bust, but if they're going to have a shot, they need all of Puka.
For 14/1, we are getting one of the top WRs and top QBs pairing together. There's enough strength around this offense that defenses can't single out Puka. He'll get insane volume and production. If he stays healthy, he might go for 1,850 yards and 15 scores. It's too good to pass up.
Other players to consider or monitor: Christian McCaffrey (+2200 - Circa), Justin Jefferson (+1800 FD)
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Ja'Kobi Lane +2700 (FanDuel)
I really love Carnell Tate - even at 7/1 (MGM), so I would bet him, but I didn't want to go into a huge rant about it. Even if the number is a little small this early, I think it's worth it.
For Lane, I think this is an interesting value play. You get a big-time possession WR in Baltimore to slide in comfortably as Lamar's number two. The stigma on USC WRs has faded with some real talent coming out the last decade or so. Lane has size, speed, strength, and big upside. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta was raving about him and describing him as a "ball of clay with a lot of upside."
Not only does Lane physically give Baltimore something they've not had in a long time in a WR, but he also has the ability to be a premier red zone threat and 50/50 ball winner. 27/1 is obviously a long shot, especially for a WR on a team that runs a ton. But Rookie of the Year awards can be incredibly volatile.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
David Bailey +550 (DraftKings)
There's a lot of talent to choose from here, but I saw some of Bailey at Texas Tech last year with their dominant defense. His 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss really set the stage as a top pick in the 2026 draft. It's the kind of dominance that really opens your eyes.
Obviously we're in a class where Rueben Bain still exists along with Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese etc. But there's a huge priority on the winners being front seven guys as they have the ability to impact the game more heavily with a statistical profile. Other than Sauce Gardner in 2022, there hasn't been a DB win the award since 2017 Marshon Lattimore.
I think Bain is main challenger, especially since Tampa basically handed him the new generation defense replacing Lavonte David. But Bailey at +550 has the ability to rack up big time numbers.
Defensive Player of the Year
Myles Garrett +450 (DraftKings)
I mean the amount of tickets and handle on this right now is probably disgustingly absurd. I'm sure almost everybody is betting this. Coming off the record setting sack season, Garrett joins the LA Rams in a Super Bowl quest. Not only will Garrett be on a real team for the first time in his pro career, but his presence awoke the slumber of the sleeping giant, Aaron Donald, out of retirement.
Absolute CHILLS! With this defensive line and improvement in the secondary, you're just betting on Garrett to stay healthy at this point. Will Garrett have 23 sacks again? Probably not, but he could still push 20. Of course, there's some real contenders in the field like Will Anderson Jr. on a great Houston defense and Aidan Hutchinson/Max Crosby on some not as good defenses.
Myles Garrett should dominate yet again this year.
The only other guy I would dabble on based on price and capability is TJ Watt at 35/1 at Circa or 30/1 on FanDuel. Coming off a down year and a partially collapsed lung, he should be good to go. I think Watt has at least one more great season in him.
Coach of the Year
I almost threw my TV out the window into oncoming traffic two years ago when Dan Campbell didn't win. I'm still not over it. Not saying Kevin O'Connell wasn't deserving, but I'll still say Campbell deserved it more. The criteria seriously needs to be revised, but as it stands now the main narrative is derived off of win total improvement from the prior year. That's why Mike Vrabel won it last year.
Kellen Moore +1200 (Bet MGM)
Without question, I think Kellen Moore is the best play on the board heading into the season. The win total improvement is always the main ingredient regardless of other factors, even if it's incredibly stupid.
A lot of times the improvement with winners has come in the worst-to-first upgrade. The field is heavily leaning on John Harbaugh and Jesse Minter. In addition to the win total improvement, you still have to make the playoffs. The one time a coach won the award and didn't make the postseason was in 1967. Giants could be really good this year, but I still think there's a lot of holes in the lineup. The Ravens should be really good, but they went 8-9 in 2025, so unless they win 13 games at a minimum, that's a tough sell.
The most obvious choice for me is Moore, who looks primed to turn around the 6-11 Saints into a potential NFC South Champion in 2026. Once Tyler Shough took over, you could see how much better NOLA was and how much higher of a ceiling they had. Now in his first full year as a starter, the Saints have some weapons and are in a highly volatile division. They have two tough games out of the gate at the Lions and at the Ravens, but after that things ease up quite a bit.
I would say if you think the Saints lose the first two games, you're better off waiting until Week 3 at a potentially reduced number.
Other Considerations: Brian Schottenheimer (+1400 - Bet Rivers), Kevin O'Connell (+2500 - Bet Rivers)
Comeback Player of the Year
This award is a mess with no real direction. The only guy worth looking at is Patrick Mahomes at +185.
