The New York Giants have had an extensive list of Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates -- with two winners -- over their vast history. Even though he didn't win it last year, quarterback Jaxson Dart was a near-winner, finishing fourth in the voting.
But what about 2026? Is there anyone who jumps off the page, and could third-round pick Malachi Fields out of Notre Dame be a sleeper to win it?
Malachi Fields is a total long shot for OROY... but you're saying there's a chance
Ben Solak of ESPN put together a perfect list regarding a ranking of which incoming rookies could win the best player in their class. Fields understandably didn't make the list of frontrunners.
But there's a chance that he could get some votes by season's end. The 22-year-old is entering a wide-open receiver room, with Malik Nabers and Darnell Mooney occupying the top two spots on the depth chart. The new guy is going to have to try to claw his way to getting some time on the field, but once he's on it, there's enough tape from college and his combine footage to see he can make an immediate impact.
His physique and bigger size at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds could make him a popular target in the red zone for Dart and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. He has gotten comparisons to Plaxico Burress (with shades of Brandon Marshall), and we all remember how effective he was in the corners of the end zone.
Fields has a lot of other rookies to compete with, and that includes the Las Vegas Raiders’ first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Quarterbacks are notorious for winning this award, especially those selected in that spot. He's going to be the guy who touches the ball more than anyone for the Raiders this season, making him an easy top candidate.
Another player who could surprise many is someone the Giants likely would have loved to have in Jeremiyah Love. The Arizona Cardinals are going to be using him a lot, considering their quarterback situation is a complete mess.
Fields has to really make an impact in training camp to try and compete for that second spot with Mooney. He will never be able to one-up Nabers, and that is a fact. But if Fields can secure that second-string role, he has a better chance than not to at least land on the ballot for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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