NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 26: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs after a catch against the New Orleans Saints during the second half in the game at Caesars Superdome on October 26, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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What a year it’s been for offensive rookies across the NFL so far. Entering the year, some believed that the class of 2025 would be a down year due to a perceived lack of blue-chip talent. Through the first eight weeks, however, that hasn’t been the case. In fact, some rookies on the offensive side of the ball have proven to be major contributors to their team’s success. But which players have stood out the most and should be in the running as favorites for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025?
As with the MVP candidates from a few weeks back, this has nothing to do with betting odds. This is based on the play seen on the field.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Favorites
1. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He might not have been the first receiver taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Emeka Egbuka is at the top of his class so far. Through eight games, Egbuka has 34 catches for 562 yards and five touchdowns. All three of those statistics are good for the best out of any rookie pass catcher. He’s also the only rookie averaging more than 15 yards per catch with 16.5 yards per reception.
As of writing, he’s on pace for 1,194 yards, which would be the most for a rookie receiver in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history.
The one thing going against him right now, though, is his performance after suffering a hamstring injury against San Francisco in Week 6. Since that game where he finished with two catches for 24 yards and left early, Egbuka has just seven catches for 93 yards and no touchdowns.
He might be the frontrunner for now, but the performance has to pick up for him to avoid being passed by. Even still, he’s currently seventh in the NFL in receiving yards, and it’s hard to think his “slump” will continue.
2. Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are one of the best stories of the 2025 season, and their rookie tight end is a big reason why. In his first eight weeks, Warren has been every bit the player he was advertised to be coming out of Penn State.
He leads all rookie tight ends in yards (492) and touchdowns (3). While those aren’t historic numbers in terms of the whole NFL, they are on track to be record-breaking stats for the Colts. No tight end in Colts history—Baltimore or Indianapolis—has ever had 1,000 yards receiving in their rookie year. Right now, Warren is on pace to do just that. Should he hit that mark, he’ll pass the current record of 726 yards set in 1963 by John Mackey.
And like Egbuka, Warren’s numbers are strong when looking at all players at his position. Entering Week 9, Warren leads all tight ends in receiving yards.
Aside from the numbers, Warren has already proven to be a safety blanket-type player for quarterback Daniel Jones. Watching him on the field, you see a player who’s smart enough to always find the opening in the defense while staying in the sight line of his QB. That’s a trait that’s hard to teach, and Warren is already showing signs of being the next great tight end in this league.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 12: Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Carolina Panthers takes the field prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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3. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
Going back to wide receiver, it’s the Carolina Panthers’ stud rookie. The eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Tetairoa McMillian has given Carolina the star receiver that they’ve been missing since Steve Smith left in 2014.
In eight games, McMillian has 512 yards on 37 catches. While the touchdowns aren’t there yet, his production has him on pace to surpass Kelvin Benjamin’s Panthers’ rookie yards and receptions records for a receiver.
How the team finishes might go a long way towards where he ultimately finishes in the race, but anyone watching the games can see how special a talent McMillan is. He just might be held back by the quarterbacks trying to get him the ball, which would be disappointing.
4. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Speaking of disappointing, it’s hard not to label Ashton Jeanty’s rookie season as such. Then again, everything’s been disappointing about the Las Vegas Raiders this season.
That said, he’s still found a way to put up 445 yards behind what looks like one of the worst offensive lines in football. The benefit for Jeanty is that he will continue to get touches; his 111 carries are already the 10th-most for all players this season in just seven games. He’ll have the opportunity to put up numbers and maybe help get the Raiders back to sniffing a playoff spot. He just can’t have another six-carry, 21-yard performance again like he did against Kansas City in Week 7.
5. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
A fifth-round pick in contention for offensive rookie of the year? Are you crazy? That’s what most people might say if they didn’t know just how much Oronde Gadsden II has helped the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense since moving into a prominent role.
After being inactive for the first two games of the season, Gadsden has solidified himself as the top tight end for Los Angeles. Over the last three weeks, he’s caught 19 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns. He’s just 10 catches, 107 yards, and one touchdown behind Warren for rookie tight ends, and has played in two fewer games. To compare to last year’s record-setting rookie performance by Brock Bowers, Gadsden has more yards and touchdowns through his first six games than the Raiders’ star.
Lastly, Gadsden is the first rookie tight end since Mike Ditka in 1961 to have at least 240 yards and two touchdowns in a two-game span.
If he continues to put up numbers close to what he’s been doing, he’s going to skyrocket up the ballot of award voters.