The Early Favorites to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025
Omarion Hampton
Jun 16, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) carries the ball during organized team activities at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The NFL’s regular season is 5.5 weeks away, and the quest for oodles of rookies to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year will take shape.
Who are the favorites in the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year race? These mighty rookies are already making their case heading into training camp, per Vegas.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels won the OROY trophy last year after his team unexpectedly raced to the NFC Championship.
Regarding this year, the field is stacked. These are the frontrunners in late July to take home OROY bacon, listed in ascending order (No. 1 = OROY frontrunner).
Offensive Rookie of the Year Leaderboard per Vegas | 2025
The race for Offensive Rookie of the Year will be intense this season.
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough (6) winds up for a pass during a training camp session at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. The photo was taken on July 28, 2025, as Shough competes for a backup role while showcasing his arm strength and footwork in drills. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.
5. Tyler Shough (QB, NO)
Odds to Win OROY: +1000
Tied with Carolina Panthers’ rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan at some sportsbooks, the Saints’ soon-to-be 26-year-old passer checks in at No. 5.
Shough must outduel Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener at New Orleans’ training camp, but is that really all that difficult? It is not. The time is now for Shough to lead the Saints — it’s damn near mandatory for a 26-year-old rookie passer.
Shough will benefit Chris Olave — if he stays healthy — and Alvin Kamara at his side. We shall see if Kellen Moore is an effective playcaller in the head coaching role.
4. Travis Hunter (WR/CB, JAX)
Odds to Win OROY: +1000
The Jaguars will use Hunter as a wide receiver, although he can equitably play cornerback. Truth be told, he might even be a better corner than a wide receiver.
Liam Coen now runs the show in Jacksonville, and because he empowered Baker Mayfield to the utmost in 2023 and 2024, he’ll get a chance to do the same with Trevor Lawrence.
A high-flying season for Hunter would provide Jacksonville with 900+ receiving yards and 6+ touchdowns. He’ll split targets with Brian Thomas, a stellar 2024 rookie.
3. Omarion Hampton (RB, LAC)
Odds to Win OROY: +750
RB1 in Los Angeles was supposed to be a battle between veteran Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, the North Carolina rookie.
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton (8) stands ready during a training camp practice at The Bolt facility in El Segundo, California. Captured on July 21, 2025, Hampton enters camp with eyes on immediate carries as he battles for early-season snaps in a retooled Chargers backfield. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
But Harris encountered a Fourth of July accident and injury, potentially paving the way for Hampton to take a bigger chunk of RB1 snaps.
Jim Harbaugh loves his running backs and rushing offense, so investing in Hampton as Offensive Rookie of the Year is not a dumb bet. Dynasty Fantasy Football managers have prioritized Hampton immensely in the last couple of months.
Hampton said this week about his pass protection development, which could help put a stranglehold on the RB1 gig, “Definitely took a big step in that. I’ve been meeting with running backs coach Kiel McDonald, he does a good job meeting with me and helping me understand it, knowing what’s coming and stuff like that, how the protection goes.”
“I feel like that’s another big thing I took a focus on. I feel like I’ve grown in that area a lot.”
2. Cam Ward (QB, TEN)
Odds to Win OROY: +350
Not much buzz surrounds Ward this summer, and there’s no good explanation for it. He’s simply not as exciting as Caleb Williams last year, Bryce Young before that, or the aforementioned Lawrence in 2021. It may also be that Tennessee is not a huge NFL media market.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward signs autographs for fans following a “Back Together Weekend” training camp session at Nissan Stadium. Taken on July 26, 2025, in Nashville, the moment highlights Ward’s growing popularity as he competes for reps and connects with fans during the NFL’s annual preseason fan celebration. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Still, the man has the second-best odds to win the OROY chip, and early reports from Nashville indicate that Ward’s training camp is unfolding nicely.
1. Ashton Jeanty (RB, LV)
Odds to Win OROY: +275
The standard-bearer for rookie playmakers this season, Jeanty gets the nod from oddsmakers, almost as a no-brainer.
The Raiders don’t have too much offensive firepower outside of Jeanty, meaning there’s a decent chance that the offense is utterly funnelled through the Boise State alumnus.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty (2) speaks to the media during a training camp press conference at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 24, 2025. Jeanty is expected to play a meaningful role in the backfield rotation after a standout college career. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
ESPN’s Ryan McFadden noted Monday on Jeanty, “With the Raiders’ emphasis on a strong rushing attack after being near the bottom in every major rushing category, Jeanty will be asked to do some heavy lifting right away. He walked into the building as the clear-cut starter. And thus far, Las Vegas has treated him as such.”
“Jeanty is expected to be a focal point of the offense along with quarterback Geno Smith, tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. If the Raiders truly want to have a shot at competing for the postseason, Jeanty must live up to the expectations he placed on himself. There’s confidence within the building that he can.”
Barring injury, Jeanty should win this away. His college skill set will absolutely translate to the pros.
Dustin Baker covers the NFL with a background in political science, graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He runs VikesNow, a Minnesota Vikings-focused YouTube show featuring weekly analysis, guest interviews, and commentary. He’s also the author of The Motor Route, a suspense novel set in rural South Dakota. A football fan since 1989, he closely follows the NBA as well.
Off the field, Dustin enjoys Basset Hounds, peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, and classic tracks by The Doors. Statistical data cited from Pro Football Reference and Stathead; contract figures via OverTheCap.
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