Predicting the 2026 NFL All-Rookie Team

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 5/15/2026

Quarterback

Fernando Mendoza - LV

This one's easy, Mendoza may not get the start until a few weeks into the season but either way he'll easily be the #1 Quarterback in the class' first year and possibly the only one that sees actual playing time

HM: Carson Beck - ARI

Running Backs

Jeremiyah Love - ARI

Jadarian Price - SEA

Photo by Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

Another group that was easy for me, Love is the only Day 1 starter I see for the entire position not to mention the best RB of the class although running behind the Cardinals O-line should replicate Ashton Jeanty's success his rookie year.

Price should split carries with Charbonnet for most of the year if not right away even if if he steals the Red Zone TDs. Price also has some return ability that could give him some notoriety his first year too.

HM: Mike Washington - LV

Wide Receivers

Makai Lemon - PHI

Jordyn Tyson - NO

With AJ Brown to New England almost definitely happening, Makai Lemon becomes WR2 and their defacto slot receiver from Day 1. Even in Philly's run-heavy offense, Lemon has a legit chance to get 1,100 yards and 6 TDS and might be my pick for OROY.

For Jordyn Tyson it's all about staying healthy. If he plays 15+ games he should be a shoe in for this honor with Tyler Shough throwing him the ball and may eclipse Olave as WR1 his first year.

HM: Carnell Tate - TEN

Tight End

Kenyon Sadiq - NYJ

Kenyon Sadiq is the clear, best Tight End of his class but the decision to give him this honor above Eli Stowers wasn't as easy as you may think. I just don't believe in the Jets but Sadiq is so talented he should AT LEAST outperform the rest of this underwhelming TE class.

HM: Eli Stowers - PHI

Offensive Tackles

Blake Miller - DET

Monroe Freeling - CAR

Photo by Junfu Han via Detroit Free press

Blake Miller is the ONLY Tackle in this class I feel good will start Day 1 at Tackle. That being said he can ease into the Right Tackle role in Detroit where he just feels like he'll be solid and reliable all year.

Monroe Freeling will have to beat out Rasheed Walker for the LT spot but I think that happens by Week 4ish. He'll be okay if not above average his rookie year but will get ample opportunity with Ickey Ekwonu's injury.

HM: Max Iheanachor - PIT

Author's Note: I love Spencer Fano but throwing him into the LT role in Cleveland just seems like way too much too soon. Fano is a DAWG but seems more of a RT to me.

Guards

Olaivavega Ioane - BAL

Francis Mauigoa - NYG

Ola Ioane was the second easiest addition to this team behind Fernando Mendoza and would have been a great Guard for any team but fits sooooo well in Baltimore.

Mauigoa will be good at Guard for the Giants but I need to mention that he is a PASS-FIRST lineman. He has decent run blocking as well but it's worth noting the Giants will probably keep up with his pass blocking progression to kick him to Tackle next year and thus may not be a dominant run blocking Guard the Giants sort of needed.

HM: Chase Bisontis - ARI

Center

Logan Jones - CHI

This is... maybe my biggest gamble on the list as I'm not even totally sure Jones starts for Chicago after they also signed Garrett Bradbury. That being said, they should start him at some point in mid season because his athleticism should make him their franchise Center.

HM: Keylan Rutledge - HOU

Defensive Line

Kayden McDonald - HOU

Derrick Moore - DET

Peter Woods - KC

Caleb Banks - MIN

Photo by Breet Coomer via Houston Chronicle

I think McDonald gets reps until about Week 3 then starts the whole year. He has a run stuffing ability that will be so useful for the Texans and while his stats may not jump out at you at the end of the year, his ability in the middle of thyeir defense will make everyone better and allow them to rush the passer more freely.

Derrick Moore has been MY GUY in this draft process and going to Detroit was best case scenario. They'll employ a 3-man rotation along with Hutch and DJ Wonnum but I really think Moore gets 7+ sacks.

Peter Woods and Chris Jones is NASTY. He'll focus more on run stopping for the duo but his feel for the position along with the group around him should give him immediate AND long term success.

Caleb Banks was another one of my guy and I really like the fit in Brian Flores' defense. We'll see if he can start right away as he recovers from a fractured Metatarsal from the Combine. When he does play, he's the perfect Nose Tackle for this defense as a gigantic and athletic playmaker.

HM: David Bailey - NYJ

Linebackers

Rueben Bain Jr. - TB

Sonny Styles - WAS

CJ Allen - IND

Photo by Douglas R. Cooper via Tampa Bay Times

Rueben Bain for DPOY. His attitude, his pass rush moves and his drive were just ferocious the last two years at Miami and now to pair him with Todd Bowles? Good lord.

Sonny Styles is a freak and will not only start Day 1 in Washington but might become the Captain by the end of the year. This is a guy that could get 80 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 sacks, 3 INTs, and a fumble or two.

CJ Allen gets the added luxury of being a Day 1 starter which helps his case for the award as the Colts' Linebacker group is looking barren this year but DC Lou Anarumo is known for his ability with Linebackers and Allen has the perfect mold for him as a smart and athletic player.

HM: Jacob Rodriguez - MIA

Cornerbacks

Mansoor Delane - KC

Brandon Cisse - GB

Delane should be the 2nd Chiefs rookie on this list and equally as effective as Woods. Delane may not get every WR1 immediately but has the speed and man coverage to get that role somewhere around midseason.

Cisse was a player I did not think about much before this list but it really makes sense. He should take over the CB2 or Nickel role pretty early on and his physicality will be great in Green Bay in their press-man coverage and also as a willing tackler in the run game.

HM: D'Angelo Ponds - NYJ

Safeties

Caleb Downs - DAL

Dillon Thieneman - CHI

Photo by Shafkat Anowar via The Dallas Morning News

I may have to consider Downs for the DROY honor along with Bain Jr. because MAN he is a special player and we all know how the Honors and media feel about Dallas' players right?

Thieneman is the clear 2nd best Safety in the class and should start right away in Chicago. Likely a box Safety and run game specialist at first, his contribution in the pass game may not be too much and not come too soon but it will be there as well.

HM: A.J. Haulcy - IND

Kicker

Trey Smack - GB

Another easy pick as Smack was the only Kicker and the only one I feel good about starting. I think Zvada has a much higher potential as NYG's UDFA but he may not even get the job.

HM: Dominic Zvada - NYG

Punter

Jack Bouwmeester - SF

The only UDFA to make my list, I think Bouwmeester makes the 49ers over Waitman. He might have the biggest leg in the class and if he can learn how to get his backspin a bit more consistent could legitimately make a career for himself.

HM: Ryan Eckley - BAL

Special Teams Returners

Zachariah Branch - ATL

K.C. Concepcion - CLE

Branch is one of the fastest players in this class and is lethal in open space. He should also get the reigns as return man pretty early on.

Concepcion is a longshot due to the Browns' surprisingly deep returner group. It's very possible Branch wins both KR and PR like Chim Dike from Tennessee in 2025 but I think Concepcion is even better with the ball in his hands and should get a shot too.