2025-26 Favorites and Current Odds for Individual Awards
Summary
As the regular season concludes, several individual awards remain competitive. The Offensive Player of the Year race is led by Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who tops the league in receiving yards, with the Rams’ Puka Nacua as a strong contender following a dominant stretch. For Defensive Rookie of the Year, Cleveland’s Carson Schwesinger is the heavy favorite, though Seattle’s Nick Emmanwori is making a late push. The Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite is Carolina receiver Tetairoa McMillan, while New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough has emerged as a sleeper candidate after taking over as a starter.
We are in the final stretch of the regular season, and there are several races up for grabs for individual awards. The only one that is already a foregone conclusion is Myles Garrett winning Defensive Player of the Year honors, so we won’t even touch that category. Let’s take a look at the others that still offer some value, with some dark horses.
Offensive Player of the Year
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (-210)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving (1,637 yards) as he has done so for much of the year. He has a chance to reach 2,000 yards, and would need two big games in the final two weeks. JSN has had nine 100-yard games and reached at least 90 yards in 13 games.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (+140)
Just a couple of weeks ago, Puka Nacua was 25/1 to win this award, but in his last three games, the Rams WR has been unstoppable, 28 catches for 573 and 4 touchdowns. He leads the NFL in receptions (114) and is second in targets (145). And remember, he missed one game with an injury. With L.A. in a dogfight for the NFC West, expect more from Nacua in the final two weeks. At plus money, grab him now.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (+2000)
For several weeks, Jonathan Taylor looked like a co-favorite for this after scoring 12 touchdowns in a six-game span. But the Colts’ workhorse running back hasn’t been as affected after QB Daniel Jones went down. He will still get his touches and carries, and if he can get the Colts in the playoffs, he can be in contention, but it does appear it’s a two-horse race between the receivers.
Offensive Player of the Year Odds
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, (SEA) -210
Puka Nacua, (LAR) +140
Jonathan Taylor, (IND) +2000
Christian McCaffrey (SF) +2200
James Cook (BUF) +4000
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns (-900)
Carson Schwesinger has been the second-best defender in Cleveland, racking up 147 tackles, including 12.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, and a couple of interceptions. The rookie linebacker has been on the field for 96% of defensive snaps and has helped the Browns into the top 3 for total yards allowed.
Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks (+400)
Nick Emmanwori is making a late-season push after putting up 24 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and an interception in the last three games. He’s the only player in the league with double-digit passes defensed and quarterback pressures. Of his 71 tackles, 50 are solo with 11 going for a loss. Emmanwori has helped Seattle allow 302.9 YPG, seventh best overall.
James Pearce Jr., Atlanta Falcons (+900)
James Pearce Jr. has a chance to chase down the others as he leads all rookies in sacks (8.5) and splash-play rate (12.5 percent). If Pearce can get 2-3 sacks in the final two games, he could offer good value for DROY. Pearce has gotten to the quarterback in seven straight games, and if he continues that pace, watch his odds drop further by Week 18.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
Carson Schwesinger (CLE) -900
Nick Emmanwori (SEA) +400
James Pearce Jr., (ATL) +900
Jalon Walker (ATL) +10000
Abdul Carter (NYG) +10000
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (-350)
Tetairoa McMillan started slow but is now the favorite. He didn’t find the end zone in the first five games, but has five majors in the last five games. He has reached the 100-yard mark twice and also had a 99-yard receiving game. McMillian should reach 1,000 yards, and if he becomes the focal point in the final weeks, he could make a push, as Bryce Young has quickly found his top target.
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (+325)
Tyler Shough was as high as 250/1 to win this award, but now is making a late push after taking over as the starter in New Orleans. Shough has won three straight and four of the last six. He should reach 2,000 yards passing and tossed his first 300-yard game vs the Jets. He has 7 TDs but has also been sacked 25 times. If he can lead the Saints to a decent finish, he’s my sleeper pick for this award.
Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1400)
Emeka Egbuka looked like a lock early on, but has cooled off in recent weeks. After scoring 5 touchdowns in the first five games, the rookie WR has just one major since, and no TDs in the last five games. Egbuka still has a chance to reach 1,000 yards, but his numbers have fallen after a dominant start, including just a single grab vs. the Panthers in Week 16.
TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots (+1800)
After starting the season as the backup, TreVeyon Henderson is now the feature back in New England. Since Week 8, he’s played over 61% of offensive snaps and has 776 yards with 8 total touchdowns. He was considered the favorite in recent weeks, but after getting hurt in Week 16, his odds have dropped. Still, Henderson has a chance to reach a 1,000-yard season, and if he gets there, he could be a value play right now.
Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) -350
Tyler Shough (NO) +325
Emeka Egbuka (TB) +1400
Jaxson Dart (NYG) +1600
TreVeyon Henderson (NE) +1800
