The anticipation surrounding a new NFL season is always immense, but the 2025 rookie class has amplified the buzz to a fever pitch. Drafted prospects are not just filling roster spots; they are stepping into starting roles with the potential to immediately shape the competitive landscape and define the future of their franchises. The shift toward instant-impact players, particularly in skill positions, means a handful of first-year phenoms are poised to become household names.
From the moment the 2025 NFL Draft concluded, the conversation began: which young star would rise above the rest to claim the coveted Rookie of the Year (ROY) award? This honor, split into separate Offensive and Defensive categories, is a barometer for future greatness, generating headlines from preseason through the playoffs. Rookies like C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels have set an incredibly high bar in recent years, proving that first-year players can lead their teams to success.
This article breaks down the top contenders for the 2025 Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. We will analyze the standout quarterbacks, explosive running backs, dynamic receivers, and game-wrecking defensive stars, using early-season statistics and projections to determine what factors will ultimately sway the voters in this exciting award race.
Who Are the Top Candidates for NFL Rookie of the Year 2025?
The race for the 2025 Rookie of the Year is shaping up to be dominated by high-impact offensive players, a continuation of the trend favoring skill positions. Leading the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) are running backs and wide receivers who have seized large roles on their respective teams.
Offensive Rookie of the Year Frontrunners:
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Currently an early favorite to win OROY, the former Ohio State star was an early pick in the draft. Through his first few games, Egbuka has made a strong early statistical case, compiling 14 receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns. His college pedigree and immediate production in a potentially prolific passing offense make him a leading contender.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders: Taken in the first round, Jeanty was pegged as an immediate starter who would receive a high volume of touches. Projections have him potentially reaching 1,306 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on around 293 carries for the season. His draft capital and likely workload cement his place among the favorites.
Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts: A surprise early leader in some statistical categories, Warren has burst onto the scene by leading all NFL tight ends with 193 receiving yards through the first three games. The Colts' first-round pick has quickly become a reliable target, demonstrating why he was a high draft selection.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Frontrunners:
Abdul Carter, EDGE/LB, New York Giants: Drafted third overall, Carter is considered by many analysts to be one of the most talented defensive prospects in the class. While early statistics might not jump off the page—such as eight tackles (one for loss) and a half-sack through a few games—his elite athleticism and high draft position make him the leading candidate to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY).
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles: An impressive start has Campbell generating buzz, with early stats including 18 tackles, one pass deflection, and a forced fumble through his first three starts. Linebackers rarely win DROY (the last was Patrick Willis in 2007), but Campbell’s high tackle count and turnover-generating plays give him an early edge.
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: The unique two-way player, Hunter, was a massive story during the draft. Though his early defensive numbers (nine tackles, one pass deflection) are modest, his dual-threat potential—even with limited usage on offense—keeps him in the conversation as a candidate who could "flip the script" on any given Sunday.
Which Offensive Rookies Could Shine in the 2025 Season?
The Offensive Rookie of the Year award has become increasingly tied to players who not only produce but drive their team's success, particularly quarterbacks. However, the 2025 class is seeing skill players seize the limelight early.
Quarterbacks with High Ceilings:
While the running backs and wide receivers are leading in early production, the quarterbacks taken high in the draft are in line for massive opportunities. Cam Ward (Titans, 1st overall) and Jaxson Dart (Giants, 1st round, 25th overall) are two signal-callers with high expectations.
Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans: As the No. 1 overall pick, Ward is expected to start immediately. His projected full season stats are aggressive: 3,743 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. This volume of work, especially if it leads to a surprise Titans playoff push, could vault him to the top of the race.
Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants: Dart has the benefit of playing in a New York market and could be an immediate spark for the Giants. While the odds on him winning are long (+450), a path to OROY exists if he surpasses his peers in completion percentage and has a strong touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Explosive Skill Position Playmakers:
The most quantifiable early impacts belong to the offensive skill players who are piling up statistics.
Emeka Egbuka (WR) and Tetairoa McMillan (WR): These two wideouts are separating themselves. Egbuka's three early touchdowns are eye-catching, while McMillan (Panthers) is leading all rookies with 216 receiving yards on 14 receptions, averaging an impressive 15.4 yards per catch. A wide receiver has won OROY three of the last four years, including Ja'Marr Chase (2021) and Garrett Wilson (2022). If Egbuka or McMillan maintain a pace that puts them on track for over 1,200 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns, they are strong bets.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns: Judkins has shown he can carry the load, logging 155 rushing yards through just two games. With a full season, that pace puts him close to the 1,000-yard mark, a typical benchmark for rookie running backs.
Which Defensive Rookies Are Making an Early Impact?
While the flashy offensive numbers often steal the headlines, defensive rookies frequently possess the consistency and game-changing plays that voters value. An elite pass-rusher or a lockdown cornerback can completely alter a game's momentum.
Edge Rushers and Linebackers Leading the Charge:
The Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) award often favors players who rack up sacks, which are among the most visible statistics.
Abdul Carter (EDGE/LB): The Giants' top pick must translate his bursts of athleticism into sack production. To win DROY, Carter would likely need to reach at least 8.0 to 10.0 sacks for the season. His current early-season stat line of a half-sack and eight total tackles shows he is active, but a breakout game with multiple sacks or a forced fumble is needed to solidify his position.
Jihaad Campbell (LB): Campbell's early performance has been fundamentally strong, with 18 tackles. This volume of stops demonstrates his presence in the Eagles' defense. For context, Jared Verse (2024 DROY) led all rookies with 18 quarterback hits, 77 pressures, and finished with 4.5 sacks and 66 total tackles. Campbell will need to match or exceed Verse’s impact plays while maintaining his tackle rate.
Other Notables: Safety Malaki Starks (Ravens) and defensive tackle Mason Graham (Browns) are high-impact players who might not generate DROY-winning stats but are foundational to their defenses. A defensive tackle winning DROY is rare, but an elite season in pressures and run-stop metrics could make a case.
The contrast in visibility between offensive and defensive rookies is a constant in the award race. Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers are on the ball for almost every offensive snap, leading to high-volume stats. Defensive players, conversely, often rely on pressure, turnovers, and tackling metrics—stats that are essential but less frequently highlighted than passing yards or touchdowns.
How Do Rookie Stats Compare Across NFL History?
The current crop of rookies must be measured against the historical bar set by some of the league's most transcendent first-year players.
Historical Rookie Milestones:
Quarterbacks: Jayden Daniels' 2024 campaign reset the bar, especially for dual-threat QBs. He threw for 3,568 yards and added a rookie QB record 891 rushing yards (on 148 attempts). For Cam Ward to surpass this, he would need over 4,000 yards of total offense and close to 30 total touchdowns. Other legendary rookie seasons include Cam Newton's 2011 season (4,051 passing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns) and Justin Herbert's 2020 season (4,336 passing yards and 31 total TDs).
Running Backs: The traditional benchmark for a rookie RB is 1,000 rushing yards. Ashton Jeanty's projection of 1,306 rushing yards puts him in the company of recent winners like Saquon Barkley (2,028 total yards in 2018) and Adrian Peterson (1,341 rushing yards in 2007).
Wide Receivers: Since Randy Moss's explosive 1998 season (1,313 yards, 17 TDs), the benchmark for a winning rookie WR season is generally over 1,100 yards and 8+ touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase (2021) set the new standard with 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. Rookies like Egbuka and McMillan are currently on pace for respectable numbers but will need a strong second-half surge to challenge the all-time greats.
Based on early-season action, it is unlikely any 2025 rookie will break the all-time records for passing yards or rushing yards, but an outside shot exists for an offensive playmaker to challenge Ja'Marr Chase’s yardage mark if they maintain their current explosive play rate.
What Factors Influence Rookie of the Year Voting?
The voting for the AP Rookie of the Year awards (which began in 1967) is conducted by a panel of 50 media members. While production is paramount, the final decision is a nuanced one.
The Criteria for Success:
Sheer Production (Concrete Stats): This is the most crucial factor. Voters look for high-volume numbers that are either league-leading or historically great for a rookie at that position (e.g., passing yards, completion percentage, sack totals, forced turnovers).
Consistency: A player who sustains high performance for the full 17-game season is favored over a player with a few splashy games.
Team Success: While not a mandate, a rookie who pilots his team to a winning record or a playoff berth—especially a quarterback—often earns an extra boost. Jayden Daniels' 2024 OROY was certainly aided by leading the Commanders to the playoffs.
Highlight-Reel Plays and Narrative: The "intangibles" matter. Spectacular touchdowns, game-winning drives, or clutch, momentum-flipping sacks create a strong media narrative that influences voters. A player like Travis Hunter, for instance, benefits from his unique two-way-player story.
Positional Bias:
There is a noticeable positional bias toward offense. Since 2010, quarterbacks have won the OROY award seven times, with running backs winning five times and wide receivers winning three times. In the last four years, the winner has been a QB (Jayden Daniels, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert) or a WR (Garrett Wilson, Ja'Marr Chase). The visibility of these positions gives them an inherent advantage. For a defensive player like Abdul Carter to win, his impact must be undeniable, similar to the Defensive Player of the Year campaign of Micah Parsons in 2021, who racked up 13 sacks.
Conclusion
The 2025 NFL Rookie of the Year candidates are making this season's award race one of the most compelling in recent memory. The early battle is a fascinating equilibrium between offensive fireworks from players like wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and running back Ashton Jeanty, and the quiet, consistent dominance of defensive stars like edge/linebacker Abdul Carter and linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
Ultimately, the OROY award is likely to be decided by a quarterback who seizes his opportunity—such as Cam Ward—or the skill player who breaks the 1,400-yard mark. The DROY will belong to the rookie who generates the most visible disruption, tallying double-digit sacks or leading all first-year players in turnovers. As history shows, the true Rookie of the Year often emerges from unexpected places, reminding fans that the race can, and often does, change weekly.
NFL Rookie of the Year Candidate Leaderboard (Early-Season)
| Player | Position | Team | Notable Early-Season Stat |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 14 Receptions, 181 Yards, 3 TDs |
| Ashton Jeanty | RB | Las Vegas Raiders | Projected 1,306 Rushing Yards |
| Tyler Warren | TE | Indianapolis Colts | 193 Receiving Yards (Leads all NFL TEs) |
| Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Carolina Panthers | 216 Receiving Yards (Leads all Rookies) |
| Abdul Carter | EDGE/LB | New York Giants | DROY Betting Favorite (Preseason) |
| Jihaad Campbell | LB | Philadelphia Eagles | 18 Total Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble |
FAQ Section
Who won NFL Rookie of the Year in 2024?
The 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was quarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. Daniels set the single-season rookie QB rushing record with 891 yards and threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns. The 2024 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year was defensive end Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams, who logged 4.5 sacks and led all rookies in quarterback pressures.
How many players compete for the ROY award?
The AP award is split into two categories: Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) and Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY). Any eligible rookie in the league can technically compete, but voting typically focuses on a pool of 5–8 serious candidates for each award, usually decided by Week 10 of the season.
When is the 2025 Rookie of the Year winner announced?
The winners of the 2025 AP Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards will be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony, which takes place in the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in February 2026.
FantasyFootPro
on October 01, 2025Tyler Warren leading all TEs in yards is the biggest surprise story of the class. If he keeps that up, it shows how valuable a reliable target is for a young offense.
StatHead88
on October 01, 2025Excellent historical context. Jayden Daniels set a wild bar for QB rookies. Cam Ward will need a massive season of 4,000 total yards to even be in the conversation with that kind of history.