EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThere's always renewed excitement when another NFL season arrives. Part of excitement comes from imagining what kind of impact new players entering the league will have.What can we expect from this year's rookie class? Here's a look at our favorite prop bets, with player outlooks and Mike Clay's 2026 projections.Odds by DraftKings and subject to change.Jeremiyah Love rushing yards OVER 774.5 (-110)Eric Moody: Love was selected third overall in this year's NFL draft after leading this rookie running back class in yards per carry and yards after contact. Despite missing most of preseason game action because of a high ankle sprain, he is expected to lead the Cardinals' backfield. Arizona is hopeful the rookie out of Notre Dame can return by Week 1. Seven of the last eight running backs selected in Round 1 of the draft have cleared this line. The expected volume should position Love well to do the same once he returns.2026 outlook: Love suffered an ankle injury during the preseason, so we need to monitor his status at the start of the season. Based on his traits, Love should be viewed as a three-down playmaker, similar to Jahmyr Gibbs, with the ability to produce immediate numbers as a rookie. Love, who scored 21 total touchdowns for Notre Dame in 2025, is a sudden and explosive runner, with 39 rushes of 10 or more yards last season at Notre Dame. There's home run juice here. Plus, Love had 63 receptions during his college career, and his route tree will expand in the Cardinals' offense. Love has top-10 upside at the position. -- Matt BowenClay's projection: 253 carries, 1,119 yards, 7 TD; 65 catches, 486 yards, 2 TDCarnell Tate to win OROY (+600)Liz Loza: Arguably the most pro-ready receiver in this year's class, Tate is set up to emerge as Tennessee's alpha. Working the perimeter as a complement to slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, the 21-year-old is projected to draw upwards of 120 looks. Given a favorable strength of schedule (second easiest for the position) and likely excelling in Brian Daboll's tailor-made scheme, the Ohio State standout should make an immediate impact.2026 outlook: A three-level glider at 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, Tate can create his own separation in the route tree, and he has the field awareness to make plays on the boundary. In his final season at Ohio State, he scored nine touchdowns and had 875 receiving yards. Look for Tate to play the Z receiver spot in Tennessee, giving quarterback Cam Ward a perimeter target to go with newly signed Wan'Dale Robinson working out of the slot. Tate has the upside to potentially finish as a top-25 wide receiver. -- BowenClay's projection: 75 receptions, 1,023 yards, 4 TDRueben Bain Jr to win DROY (+450)Bowen: Bain will see immediate playing time as a rookie in Tampa Bay, plus the scheme fit in Todd Bowles' defense can lead to consistent production. A powerful edge defender, with the lower body flexibility to turn the corner as a pass rusher, Bain will see one-on-one matchups out of the Buccaneers' multiple fronts, and Bowles can set him up on twists and stunts to get home to the quarterback. Bain had 9.5 sacks last season for the Miami Hurricanes -- including five in the College Football Playoff -- and his 71 pressures tied for second most in the nation.Clay's projection: 43 total tackles, 11 TFL, 5.6 sacks, 0.2 INTs, 1.3 FFCaleb Downs to win DROY(+700)Joe Fortenbaugh: Work ethic, versatility, instincts ... you heard all of that about Downs during the predraft process. What makes this a good bet is his visibility. Downs is the shiny new object anchoring a Dallas Cowboys defense that will be in the spotlight from Week 1 until they inevitably flame out of the playoffs in spectacular fashion. That means lots of eyeballs on Downs and lots of talking points on "Get Up" and "First Take" highlighting the Ohio State product's performance over the course of the season.Clay's projection: 87 total tackles, 4 TFL, 0.8 sacks, 2.1 INTs, 0.8 FFSonny Styles to win DROY (+750)Pamela Maldonado: Styles was the No. 7 pick in April's NFL draft, already has the starting job, and Washington's planned usage gives him more upside than a normal off-ball linebacker. He generated pressure on 20% of his blitz opportunities at Ohio State while also having the lowest missed tackle rate among linebackers in the class. That gives him a path through tackles and splash plays. His price offers enough additional value to justify moving away from the preferred edge-rusher archetype.Clay's projection: 72 total tackles, 10 TFL, 2.1 sacks, 1.0 INTs, 1.2 FF
