Four weeks into the 2026 season, the Offensive Player of the Year race is a running back argument with two receivers who refuse to leave the room. Week 4 is why.
Kenneth Walker III carried 22 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns in Kansas City’s 30-27 win at Las Vegas, and the 76-yard burst he broke off in that game still stands as the longest run in the NFL. Bijan Robinson answered with 145 yards and two scores on 19 carries in Atlanta’s 45-24 win at New Orleans. Then CeeDee Lamb caught 17 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown in Dallas’ 34-30 win at Houston. Seventeen receptions in one afternoon, from a player with 37 all season.
Here’s a look at the five candidates generating the most interest ahead of Week 5.
Top NFL Offensive Player of the Year Futures
Pricing reflects market sentiment and is subject to change.
Key Candidates to Watch
Bijan Robinson
Robinson has 494 rushing yards on 85 carries through four games, which ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards and fourth in attempts, at 5.8 yards per carry (third). He averages 123.5 rushing yards per game (second), has four rushing touchdowns and a long run of 59 yards. His 26 rushing first downs lead the league, and his 614 scrimmage yards rank second behind Kenneth Walker III. As a receiver, Robinson has 14 catches on 18 targets for 120 yards and a touchdown, with 148 yards after the catch (eighth).
Bijan’s has soared despite a revolving door at quarterback for the 2-2 Falcons, with Michael Penix Jr. the latest to take a turn under center. Penix has started two games and completed 33 of 45 passes for 479 yards, two touchdowns and one interception (113.1 rating). Cooper Rush has started two games, going 22 of 39 for 229 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions (42.5 rating). Jack Strand appeared in one game and went 8 of 15 for 59 yards with one interception. Drake London leads Atlanta receivers with 20 catches on 26 targets for 370 yards.
Jahmyr Gibbs
Nobody in the NFL has scored more than Gibbs. He leads the league in total touchdowns (seven), points (42) and points per game (10.5). He has 353 rushing yards on 80 carries, fifth in both categories, at 4.4 yards per carry (14th) and 88.2 rushing yards per game (fifth). Five of his touchdowns have come on the ground. His 26 rushing first downs tie Robinson for the league lead, and his longest run of the season is 21 yards.
Gibbs has added 22 receptions on 28 targets with two receiving touchdowns and 139 yards after the catch (11th). His 540 scrimmage yards rank third. Detroit is 2-2, with 119 points scored and 127 allowed. Jared Goff has thrown for 1,214 yards, second in the NFL, with nine touchdowns. But it is Gibbs who has been the King of the Jungle in the Motor City.
Kenneth Walker III
Walker has been sweeter than KC-style brisket in his first year with the Chiefs. The former Super Bowl MVP leads the NFL in rushing yards (537), yards per carry (6.2), rushing yards per game (134.2), longest run (76 yards) and scrimmage yards (621). His 87 carries rank second and his 25 rushing first downs rank third. He has brought the smoke with his sweet play, putting together four rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns for six total, along with 36 points.
The Chiefs are 4-0, the only undefeated record among the top five candidates, with 118 points scored and 77 allowed. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
JSN has been a beast in the Pacific Northwest, leading the NFL with six receiving touchdowns and his 82-yard reception is the longest catch in the league this season. He ranks third in receiving yards (481) and receiving yards per game (120.2), fourth in receptions (32), sixth in targets (41) and second in receiving first downs (25). He averages 15.0 yards per catch and has 144 yards after the catch. His six total touchdowns and 36 points match Walker’s.
The target distribution in Seattle is lopsided: 42 for Smith-Njigba, no more than 15 for anyone else. He’s also had to deal with an early season injury to returning QB Sam Darnold. The Seahawks vet is back and has started three games, completing 45 of 69 passes for 560 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions (101.1 rating). Drew Lock filled in when Darnold went down and has appeared in two games with one start, going 35 of 48 for 422 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions (127.3 rating). Smith-Njigba has also completed his only pass attempt, for 14 yards. Seattle is 3-1, with 105 points scored and 73 allowed.
CeeDee Lamb
The Big Man in Big D, Lamb leads the NFL in receptions (37), receiving yards (498), receiving yards per game (124.5) and receiving first downs (28). Lamb has opponents seeing stars — often on the side of his helmet as he runs by — as his 46 targets rank second and his 156 yards after the catch rank sixth in the NFL. Four of those catches went for touchdowns, third in the league.
The yards arrive in volume rather than chunks for Lamb: 13.5 per reception, with a season-long catch of 49 yards. Dallas is 2-2, scoring 122 points and allowing 112. Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,065 yards, seventh in the NFL, with eight touchdowns.
Recent NFL Offensive Player of the Year Winners
| Season | Player | Position | Team |
| 2025 | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2024 | Saquon Barkley | RB | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2023 | Christian McCaffrey | RB | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2022 | Justin Jefferson | WR | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2021 | Cooper Kupp | WR | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2020 | Derrick Henry | RB | Tennessee Titans |
Source: Sportradar NFL
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