Top five NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates

While defense does win championships, the offense sells the tickets. This NFL season, with the way offenses are performing, more tickets are being sold than ever before.

But it’s not just the veteran stars that are drawing fans.

Plenty of rookies have made their mark on the league and are in the hunt for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Despite the number of well-performing rookies, five have stood out.

5. Quinshon Judkins: Running Back, Cleveland Browns

After dealing with a contract and legal dispute for what seemed like forever, Cleveland Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins has torn up the Browns’ backfield. Judkins ranks 17th in the league in rushing yards with 486. He is also tied for eighth place in the league for touchdowns with five. He has done all of this in seven games on a total of 118 carries.

Judkins' most impressive game came in a loss against the Minnesota Vikings, where he ran for 110 yards, but had zero touchdowns on 23 carries.

Judkins is currently dealing with a shoulder injury, and his status is up in the air. But if he can play, he will use his trademark elusiveness to continue his dominance and possibly find his way to the top of this list.

4. Tetairoa McMillan: Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan has continued his reign of dominance from his college days at Arizona. Through nine games, McMillan has 41 receptions for 558 yards and two touchdowns.

McMillan’s best game came in a close loss against the Arizona Cardinals. In that game, McMillan had six catches on ten targets for 100 yards and zero touchdowns.

Tetairoa McMillan’s route running and ability to create separation against defenders have been the strengths of his game. If his season continues, he could be Bryce Young’s number one receiver and number one on this list.

3. Tyler Warren: Tight End, Indianapolis Colts

Similar to McMillan, Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren has built on his collegiate dominance from his days at Penn State. In nine games, Warren has 42 catches for 518 yards and three touchdowns.

While he is not being used as a gadget player like he was at Penn State, Warren has still been a focal point of an extremely dominant Colts team.

Warren’s best game came in a one-point win over the Denver Broncos, where he had four catches on seven targets for 79 yards. On top of that, Warren had three straight games with one touchdown reception.

At 6’6" and 256 pounds, it’s Warren’s size and physicality that make the difference. Even with his size, Warren also has incredible ball skills and a wide catching radius. As the best rookie tight end, Warren is also gunning for the title of the league’s best tight end.

2. Emeka Egbuka: Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There is absolutely no doubt that Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka is the best rookie receiver in the league. With that being said, after having an unbelievable career at Ohio State, how in the world was he not the first receiver taken in the draft?

In eight games, Egbuka has 34 grabs for 562 yards and five touchdowns. His best game came against the Seattle Seahawks, where he caught seven balls on seven targets for 163 yards and a touchdown. Most importantly, the Bucs left with a win.

With the longer-term injury suffered by superstar receiver Mike Evans, Egbuka has an opportunity for even more production alongside Chris Godwin.

Egbuka’s route running and ability to find open space are unmatched among the other rookie receivers. It is also a huge reason why the Buccaneers are one of the hottest teams in the NFC and why Baker Mayfield has found a new life in Tampa.

1. Jaxson Dart: Quarterback, New York Giants

Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, many analysts and fans believed that Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was going to be a late first-round pick and the third quarterback off the board. They were right about the former, but not the latter. Dart was taken 25th overall by the New York Giants, and he is setting out to be their first franchise quarterback since another Ole Miss Rebel, Eli Manning.

After the benching of Russel Wilson, Dart assumed the starting role and has not looked back. Through eight games, Dart has completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,175 yards, ten touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Dart’s best game came in an absolutely heartbreaking loss for Giants fans when it crumbled in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos. In that game, Dart went 15/33 with 283 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Dart can stand in the pocket and make throws at all levels. Then, when the pocket breaks down, he can extend plays with his legs and either make a throw on the run or keep it himself.

To start the season, Dart and fellow rookie running back Cam Skattebo became a viral duo in the NFL. However, Skattebo suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Eagles nearly two weeks ago. Despite losing his partner in crime in the backfield, Dart played well against the 49ers, but ultimately lost.

If Dart can continue to produce, even without Skattebo, he has the opportunity to run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and cement himself as the future of the New York Giants.

Max Malec is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mvm7264@psu.edu