Giants, Falcons Rookies Hijack NFL Honors Finalist List
NEW YORK — The league office just dropped the list. If you thought the youth movement in the NFL was slowing down, you weren’t watching this season. The NFL announced the finalists for the 2026 Associated Press Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year today, and two franchises are grinning wider than the rest.
The New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons secured two spots apiece, proving their 2025 draft classes weren’t just good—they were franchise-altering.
The Offensive Rookie of the Year race is officially a five-man sprint, but all eyes are under center. Jaxson Dart (Giants) and Tyler Shough (Saints) didn’t just manage games; they ripped defenses apart. Dart’s transition to the New York spotlight has been seamless, bringing a swagger to the Meadowlands that hasn’t existed since the Eli Manning glory days.
The finalists for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year presented by @EAMaddenNFL! #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/vHXnJXguen
— NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2026
But don’t sleep on the playmakers. TreVeyon Henderson finally fixed the Patriots’ ground game, becoming the engine of that offense. Meanwhile, the NFC South turned into a rookie receiver showcase. Tetairoa McMillan gave Carolina a legitimate WR1, hauling in contested catches that defied physics, while Emeka Egbuka became the safety valve Tampa Bay desperately needed.
- Jaxson Dart (QB, NYG): The betting favorite? Likely. His mobility extended plays all year.
- Tyler Shough (QB, NO): The surprise of the group. Stepped in and looked like a 10-year vet.
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, NE): 1,100+ yards from scrimmage. A bell cow back.
Defense wins championships, but these rookies just want to wreck game plans. The story here is Atlanta. The Falcons hit a home run with James Pearce Jr. at linebacker and Xavier Watts at safety. Pearce Jr. was a nightmare off the edge, logging double-digit sacks, while Watts patrolled the deep middle like a hawk.
The Giants get another nod with Abdul Carter, who brought terrifying speed to their linebacker corps. Nick Emmanwori (Seahawks) and Carson Schwesinger (Browns) round out the group, both posting tackle numbers that made them impossible to ignore.
“We didn’t draft these guys to sit and learn. We drafted them to hunt. James [Pearce Jr.] and Xavier [Watts] changed the DNA of this defense week one. You don’t teach that hunger.” — Raheem Morris, Falcons Head Coach
This isn’t just about a trophy; it’s a validation of strategy. The Giants finding a QB and a defensive anchor in the same class accelerates their rebuild by three years. For the Falcons, double-dipping on defensive stars suggests their window is opening now.
The winners will be revealed at the NFL Honors ceremony during Super Bowl week. If the voting reflects the tape, expect a very loud night for the NFC.
