Story byAngel Atienza-RomeroFri, January 23, 2026 at 8:49 AM UTC·5 min readThe NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards recognize first-year players who made an immediate and meaningful impact on the league. This year’s finalists reflect a wide range of positions, skill sets, and team situations, yet all share the common trait of outperforming expectations as rookies. Their nominations highlight not only individual production, but also how quickly they adapted to the speed and complexity of the NFL game. Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) FinalistsAbdul Carter — New York Giants (Linebacker)New York Giants outside linebacker Abdul Carter (51) reacts in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.