The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner. Though the picks have not been made, one can already start to wonder who might be the Rookie of the Year on each side of the ball.
This year’s class seems heavy on talent in the trenches, but don’t sleep on what the skill-position players bring to the table. Could a running back win Offensive Rookie of the Year for the first time since Saquon Barkley in 2018? Could a safety take home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for the first time since Mark Carrier in 1990?
Let’s take a look at a few candidates on both sides of the ball for the 2025 NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
Offensive Rookie of the Year Candidates
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
Wherever Ashton Jeanty ends up, it’s fair to assume he’ll end up being the top running back on the depth chart in Year 1.
Coming off of an incredible 2024 campaign with Boise State, Jeanty figures to be a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s a shifty, intelligent, powerful back who’s as well-rounded as they come.
With this year’s quarterback class generally being seen as weaker compared to most recent drafts, Jeanty should be considered the heavy favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year going into the season.
Miami (FL) QB Cam Ward
The last two Offensive Rookie of the Year winners have been quarterbacks, giving Cam Ward a pretty nice advantage coming into his rookie season.
As the heavy favorite to become the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ward seems likely to end up on the Tennessee Titans, where he’ll have the inside track to become their starting quarterback.
That’s hardly saying that Ward will make the playoffs like the last two OROY winners, Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud. That said, the Titans spent big to improve their offensive line in free agency, and behind that group, Ward could have the chance to put up some solid numbers in Year 1.
North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
Jeanty gets a lot of the praise when talking about the running back talent in the 2025 NFL Draft, but Omarion Hampton is a tremendous talent in his own right.
A 97th-percentile athlete at running back with 3,161 rushing yards in his last two seasons, Hampton is a certified workhorse back with the power and frame needed to take on a three-down role. As made evident by his 30 rushing touchdowns over his final two years at North Carolina, he’s got a nose for the end zone, as well.
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Hampton feels like a likely first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, with teams like the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers all standing out as potential fits.
If he ends up on one of those teams — all spots where he’d probably be RB1 on the depth chart — don’t be surprised if he ends up as a strong Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
Though he’s generally projected to be the first wide receiver off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tetairoa McMillan has become somewhat of a sleeper in early Offensive Rookie of the Year conversations.
At 6’4″ and 219 pounds, McMillan is a massive wide receiver with a large catch radius who thrives above the rim. With his reliable hands and tremendous ball-tracking skills, he can consistently win in tight coverage. Even if his separating skills are a little inconsistent, he’s still a safe bet to come down with the ball when you throw it to him.
Given McMillan’s abilities on the 50/50 ball, there’s high touchdown upside for him as a red-zone threat wherever he ends up. If he lives up to the hype, there’s a chance for him to be the best offensive rookie in the league in 2025.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidates
Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
Out of the last six Defensive Rookie of the Year winners, five of them have been edge rushers. That bodes very well for Abdul Carter.
It would be surprising if Carter fell outside of the first three picks, making him a likely option for the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants. Wherever he ends up, he’ll have a star edge rusher alongside him getting the bulk of double-team attention.
With Carter’s elite athleticism and rapid development as a technician in 2024, he has double-digit sack potential in the NFL. If he stays healthy, it wouldn’t be surprising if he reaches those numbers in his first year in the league.
Colorado CB Travis Hunter Jr.
Exactly where Travis Hunter Jr. ends up under consideration will likely depend on how the NFL team that drafts him utilizes him on both sides of the ball.
He projects very well as a cornerback, with his elite ball skills and tremendous athleticism allowing him to make plays on the ball that some other players at his position simply can’t. His background as a wide receiver gives him significant interception upside, and Defensive Rookie of the Year voters might be swayed if he plays a decent role on offense, too.
There hasn’t been a player like Hunter to enter the NFL in quite some time. He has the upside to put up some impressive numbers as a rookie if utilized properly.
Marshall EDGE Mike Green
Given the award’s propensity for pass-rushers, it’s not out of the question for an edge rusher outside of Carter to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. For my money, the favorite would have to be Mike Green.
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Compared to other top edge rushers like Shemar Stewart and Mykel Williams, Green isn’t necessarily as big or strong. Where he wins, though, is with his elite athleticism and refined pass-rushing arsenal, which usually translates to Year 1 success in the NFL.
Depending on where he ends up, Green should be able to contribute right out of the gate in a team’s defensive line rotation. He might not put up elite tackling numbers against the run right away, but as a pass-rushing mercenary in Year 1, the ceiling for him is very high.
Georgia S Malaki Starks
There hasn’t been a single safety to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award since before the turn of the century. Could Malaki Starks be the first?
While there’s a chance Nick Emmanwori is the first safety drafted for his elite physical attributes, Starks projects as a more pro-ready defensive back for his sharp processing in coverage and superior lateral quickness. He didn’t test insanely well, but the eye test is incredibly strong with the Georgia standout.
Time will tell exactly where Starks ends up, and that could play a role in how good his numbers are as a rookie.
If he lands on a team with a strong defensive line, though, he would have plenty of opportunities to put his ball-hawking mentality to the test.