NFL Offensive Player Of The Year Picks for 2026: Ja'Marr Chase Is A Screaming Value

Nicknamed the MVP for skill players, RBs and WRs have recently dominated regarding hoisting the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, making it six straight years after Jaxon Smith-Njigba won the title last season. Heading into 2026-27, there's a wide range of players all capable of putting together a monster campaign, making the race for the OPOY award one of the more exciting spectacles to monitor.

2026 Picks For NFL Offensive Player Of The Year

While I normally brush aside trends, it’s tough to ignore the emerging pattern when it comes to the OPOY. Not only have RBs and WRs won it the last six years in a row, but there have been no repeat winners. Recipients also play a crucial role in an offense that ranks near the top of the board in DVOA while winning at least 10+ games.

Using these parameters to help build a base for our portfolio, we can cross out Bijan Robinson with the Atlanta Falcons projected to finish well under 10 wins and JSN, who won the award last year. Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor and CeeDee Lamb also do not fit the mold, as well as Christian McCaffrey, who won the title in 2023.

Ja’Marr Chase (+1100, Fanatics)

The most talented WR captaining the most explosive offense in the league, Ja’Marr Chase is an auto bet at +1000 or higher. Even when dealing with question marks at QB, Chase was still able to play at a very high level last season, finishing the year with 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and 8 touchdowns.

With Joe Burrow back at full health and a revamped defense to help turn them into a well-rounded contender, Chase will be able to build on his momentum while the Cincinnati Bengals rack up enough wins to keep the spotlight on him. The Bengals also possess the third-easiest strength of schedule, giving Chase plenty of soft spots to rack up monster numbers.

Puka Nacua (+1300, FanDuel)

If Puka Nacua had never suffered an injury earlier in the year, then he would have been able to exceed JSN’s output and most likely win the OPOY. When healthy, Nacua rivals the top of the position, leading the league in EPA per play, targets per route run and yards per route run among all qualified WRs.

With negative regression looming over Davante Adams, Matthew Stafford may lean heavier on Nacua to stay ahead of the sticks, improving on his already impressive stat line from last season. Factor in the Los Angeles Rams projected to win 11-12 games, and Nacua is in a great position to win the OPOY award.

Omarion Hampton (+5500, Fanatics)

It was as brutal a year as it could get for Omarion Hampton, kicking off his season running behind an offensive line that was ravaged by injuries before suffering an ankle injury that kept him on the sideline for two months. When on the field, Hampton was a steady source of production in the Los Angeles Chargers backfield, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

With his offensive line back at full health and new OC Mike McDaniel running the show, Hampton is a prime bounceback candidate. If you have read our NFL division winners best bets, you would already know I believe the Chargers are capable of competing for the first overall seed in the AFC, drawing more media attention towards Hampton’s production in the process.

DeVonta Smith (+8000, BetRivers)

Heading into 2026-27, DeVonta Smith is now the man in charge after the Philadelphia Eagles traded A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. Even as the WR2, Smith was still able to produce last season, finishing the year with 1,008 yards while averaging 13.1 yards per reception. With Smith’s usage expected to skyrocket, he will have a great opportunity to enter the upper echelon at his position and build a strong case for winning the OPOY.

Players to Monitor For 2026 NFL OPOY Award

Jahmyr Gibbs (+850, Fanatics)

Even though I fully believe in Jahmyr Gibbs being the 1.01 in fantasy and the deserving favorite to win the OPOY, his current odds are far too short for me to place a bet on. Luckily for us, a hot start to the year will hardly move the needle, giving us time to gauge if we need to add him to the portfolio.

A.J. Brown (+4500, Fanatics)

Speaking of Brown, a new home will not lead to any sort of regression, pairing with Drake Maye, who led the league last season in EPA per play and in CPOE while finishing second in air yards per reception.