Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, the general view was that the class lacked many truly elite prospects at the top, but had plenty of players who could become dependable starters. Now that the season has reached its halfway point, it’s a good time to see how the rookies are doing.
So far, the draft’s defensive players have made a strong impression. The offensive group is harder to assess. Las Vegas is bringing Fernando Mendoza along gradually, Jeremiyah Love’s season in Arizona has gone badly, and the leading receivers are having trouble standing out in underwhelming offenses.
Here’s a look at the rookies who have made the biggest impact so far, and where they stand in the end-of-season award races.
Offense
Denzel Boston, WR — Cleveland Browns
The Offensive Rookie of the Year race is shaping up as a contest between three receivers, with Denzel Boston currently out front. The 39th overall pick has produced for Cleveland despite an unsettled quarterback situation. His early numbers are also approaching those of 2025 winner Tetairoa McMillan over the first nine games of his career:
Tetairoa McMillan (2025): 41 receptions, 558 yards (13.6 yards per catch), 2 touchdowns
Denzel Boston (2026): 32 receptions, 507 yards (15.8 yards per catch), 3 touchdowns
It could be the second year in a row that a receiver who was underrated during the draft process takes home the award. Boston uses his size well, wins contested catches and handles contact. His route running and ability to create separation also seem to have been overlooked before the draft. At the moment, he looks like one of the draft’s best bargains and the leading candidate for OROY, unless something changes dramatically.
Carnell Tate, WR — Tennessee Titans
Tennessee still has plenty to figure out, including whether Cam Ward can become its long-term answer at quarterback. But Carnell Tate is looking like a solid choice. In seven games, including five starts, he has gained 413 receiving yards and made 18 catches for first downs. That’s a notable share of the offense: Ward has thrown for just 1,483 yards this season, and Tate has accounted for more than a quarter of them despite missing two games.
Tate’s ability is clear, though he needs to take better care of the ball. He has fumbled three times after the catch. None of those plays has proved disastrous, but it’s an area he’ll want to clean up. The fumbles probably won’t decide his award chances, but he has ground to make up on Boston, and Tennessee’s passing attack isn’t helping.
KC Concepcion, WR — Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has two of the most productive offensive rookies, yet ranks 29th in scoring and 20th in passing yards. That says a lot about the state of the Browns’ quarterback group.
Concepcion looks like the kind of receiver who could do even more with a reliable quarterback. He has 437 receiving yards and one touchdown, but his production could be higher given how often he gets open and how effectively he finds space against zone coverage.
Those are strong numbers, and he’s gaining momentum. Still, Concepcion isn’t as much of a big-play threat, which can make it harder to draw attention next to Boston. I do think he could become Cleveland’s top offensive weapon once the team finds a dependable quarterback.
Defense
Arvell Reese, LB — New York Giants
Arvell Reese has delivered the kind of all-around performance the Giants hoped for. He’s a versatile, do-it-all defender and has become a key difference-maker on a defense that looks dangerous, even if it’s still developing.
His statistics show just how much ground he covers: 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 32 run stops, one forced fumble and one interception. Reese has contributed in nearly every area. He may be the top rookie defender this season, and there’s a case that he’s the most impressive defensive prospect to enter the league since Myles Garrett. That’s a high bar, but Reese has been outstanding.
It looks like a home-run pick, and he’s currently the clear favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
David Bailey, LB — New York Jets
The Jets took some criticism for using the second overall pick on David Bailey while Arvell Reese was still available. Bailey, though, has been excellent. He may not offer the same all-around skill set as the Giants’ linebacker, but his 7.5 sacks have made him the Jets’ leading pass rusher.
Bailey has generated pressure and done a good job setting the edge against the run. He’s on track to rank among the NFL’s top 20 edge defenders in both areas, which is impressive for a rookie. In most seasons, that kind of start might make him the award favorite. With Reese playing so well, Bailey may need to reach 15 sacks—or get some help from a dip in Reese’s production—to draw voters’ attention.
Caleb Downs, S — Dallas Cowboys
There’s been some attention on Caleb Downs after Trey McBride tried to get the better of him, but the Cowboys rookie has had a strong season overall. He ranks well among NFL safeties in pressures and run stops, and he’s been one of the position’s more dependable solo tacklers.
Downs still has work to do when it comes to reading and disrupting passing plays, an area that was identified as a concern during the draft process. Even so, Dallas appears to have landed a player who can anchor its defense for years. End-of-season awards may be a tougher challenge: defensive backs often don’t put up the kind of eye-catching totals that attract voters.
Jacob Rodriguez, LB — Miami Dolphins
It hasn’t been difficult to overlook the Dolphins this season. For fans, that may even be the healthier option. One encouraging development, though, has been second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez, who has carried his reputation as a prolific tackler from college into the NFL.
Rodriguez has 79 tackles and is on pace to finish with 168. He has also shown a little more pass-rushing ability than expected, creating several pressures from the middle of the field.
Miami has been looking for a strong leader in the middle of its defense, and Rodriguez could be that player. He may not make many spectacular plays, but there’s value in a linebacker who consistently does his job and makes the stops he’s supposed to. Sometimes that’s exactly what a defense needs.
