The Chase for Offensive Rookie of the Year Is Taking Over the NFL

2025 has brought in many promising rookies on both sides of the ball. Rookies are leaving college pro-ready, and the number who have an immediate impact is rising steadily each year. The expectation of a first-round pick is higher than ever. Some rookies this year are truly having standout seasons, and some have even revitalized their franchise. Unfortunately, there can only be one. Let’s look at some rookies who have set the league on fire in their rookie season.

​Tetairoa McMillian

Tetairoa McMillian has brought new life to the struggling Panthers' receiving room. After the Panthers went all in to get Bryce Young, they were left with no real talent in their receiving room. Their lack of talented receivers posed a significant obstacle to the development of their young quarterback. After several misses, the Panthers finally landed their franchise receiver with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 draft, selecting TMac. TMac was the consensus best receiver in his class, even though Travis Hunter got all the recognition. Hunter’s ability to play two positions was what pushed him over the top. The former Wildcat was highly productive in college, amassing 3,423 receiving yards, 213 receptions, and 26 touchdowns. TMac hit the ground running when he finally hit the field. He immediately fell into the WR1 role, currently ranked 12th in the league for receiving yards with 783, 56 receptions, and five touchdowns. He is the primary receiving threat with a 24% target share. TMac is everything the Panthers need from a receiver. He deserves to be the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

​Emeka Egbuka

Emeka Egbuka is a monster and always has been. At Ohio State, Egbuka shared the receiving room with multiple top 10 and first-round picks, eclipsing how good he was. The Buccaneers drafted the former Buckeye with the 19th pick of the 2025 draft. The Bucs have always had a good receiving corps behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Injuries to both allowed Egbuka to receive more targets, and he made the most of his time. Currently, Egbuka ranks 14th in the league for receiving yards with 749, 48 receptions and six touchdowns. After Week Five, he was well ahead of every other rookie in OROY after a breakout performance for seven receptions, 163 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Egbuka has cooled off a bit as the Bucs' offence has cooled down after multiple major injuries at every position. There is still time for Egbuka to win, as the race between him and TMac is very close. The one thing he has over TMac is that Egbuka has missed one game due to injury.

​Jaxson Dart

Jaxson Dart has wholly changed the Giants' trajectory. The Giants were on a crash course for a few more years of losing. The Giants have talent at multiple positions, primarily star receiver Malik Nabers, who is unfortunately out for the season with an ACL tear. The former Rebel was highly productive in college, leaving Ole Miss as the school’s all-time passing leader, surpassing Eli Manning. The Giants traded back into the first round to select him at pick 25. Head coach Brian Daboll wanted Dart and was determined to make him the franchise quarterback. Dart was awarded the start in Week Four, after Russell Wilson faltered at the beginning of the season. Currently, Dart has 1,417 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 128 completions and only three interceptions without his primary receiving weapon. What he lacks in passing prowess, he makes up for with his legs. He can blow open any play with his rushing ability, with 317 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Ironically, this is also one of his most significant weaknesses, due to his inability to avoid contact. Dart welcomes contact and runs into it, or he will fall badly, resulting in multiple concussion scares and an actual concussion that has sidelined him. OROY has become quarterback-biased in recent years, with eight quarterbacks winning the award since 2010, four running backs and three receivers. Dart is returning to action soon, and if he can get the Giants some more wins, he will almost assuredly jump in the lead.