Several rookies played major roles in the first game of the season, and their odds to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award improved.
Ashton Jeanty, running back from the Las Vegas Raiders, is currently the betting favorite at +300 odds to win the OROY according to BetMGM. Cam Ward, a rookie quarterback with the Tennessee Titans and the #1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is second overall at +500 odds.
Players like wide receiver Emeke Egbuka from the Tampa Bay Bucs and tight end Tyler Warren from the Indianapolis Colts saw their odds drastically jump after outstanding performances in their pro debut.
Ashton Jeanty (RB, Raiders) +300
The Raiders felt they secured the steal of the draft when they selected Jeanty with the sixth overall pick. Jeanty was the first running back taken after a dominating performance with Boise State last season. He entered the preseason as the consensus favorite, and he finished Week 1 at the top of the leaderboard at +300 odds. He only rushed for 38 yards on 19 carries but scored his first touchdown in a Week 1 road victory for the Raiders.
Cam Ward (QB, Titans) +500
Ward struggled in his debut, completing only 42.9 percent of his passes for 112 yards and zero touchdowns. He didn’t throw any interceptions but was sacked six times by the Denver Broncos. Despite a lackluster performance, Ward is still the second OROY favorite at +500 odds.
Omarion Hampton (RB, Chargers) +600
The L.A. Chargers were thin at running back entering the season, which is why they selected Omarion Hampton in the first round. Hampton tallied 30 touchdowns in his final two seasons with North Carolina. He didn’t find the end zone in his NFL debut, but he combined for 61 yards with 15 carries for 48 yards and two receptions for 13 yards. Although the Chargers unleashed a pass-heavy offensive scheme in Week 1, head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball, so expect Hampton to get more touches in the ensuing weeks. Hampton is currently third on the NFL awards board at +600 odds.
Emeka Egbuka (WR, Bucs) +750
Egbuka, fresh off a national championship with Ohio State, was the #19 pick in the draft. He secured the WR2 spot with the Bucs after a strong training camp and preseason, but he looked like WR1 after a rollicking rookie debut. Egbuka caught four passes for 67 yards with two touchdowns, including the game-winner, in a close divisional victory over the Falcons. Egbuka also added nine rushing yards and finished with 76 total yards from scrimmage. Even though Egbuka’s OROY odds bumped up to +750, he still offers great value.
Tyler Warren (TE, Colts) +900
The Colts took a flier on Warren with the #14 pick. Fantasy experts were high on Warren as soon as Daniel Jones was named the starting quarterback. Jones had a penchant for targeting his tight ends during his first few seasons with the Giants. Warren snagged a team-high seven passes for 76 yards in his debut. Warren is currently at +900 odds to win OROY.
Travis Hunter (WR, Jaguars) +1000
The Jaguars selected Travis Hunter, a two-way superstar and the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado, with the second-overall pick. There was speculation about how the Jaguars would utilize Hunter’s rare skills as a standout WR and DB. Heading into Week 1, rookie head coach Liam Coen tipped his hand when he said Hunter would be used primarily on offense. Hunter led his team in targets (8) and receptions (6), but only tallied 33 yards in a Week 1 victory. He also logged six plays on defense. Hunter is currently +1000 odds to win OROY.
Jacory Crosky-Merrit (RB, Commanders) +1400
The Commanders selected Jacory Crosky-Merrit from Arizona with a seventh-round pick. Known fondly as “Bill” among his family and friends, the rookie running back dazzled in his debut with 10 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown. Crosky-Merrit outperformed veteran Austin Ekeler and should get more touches in upcoming games, which is why he’s currently +1400 odds to win OROY.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Patriots) +1500
The Patriots selected Ohio State running back Henderson with a second-round pick. Despite an ugly game on offense, Henderson led the Patriots with 27 rushing yards on just five carries. He was also the co-leader with six receptions and finished his first game with 51 combined yards from scrimmage. You can back Henderson to secure the OROY award at +1500 odds.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Panthers) +1500
The Panthers selected Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan with the #8 pick in the draft to surround quarterback Bryce Young with top offensive weapons. Although Young struggled in a Week 1 loss, McMillan led the team in targets (9), receptions (5), and yards (68). McMillan is easily WR1 material right now, which is why he saw a bump in his OROY odds to +1500.
Longshots: Jaxson Dart, RJ Harvey
The New York Giants took a flier on Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart with a late first-round pick. Dart showed promise in the preseason, but head coach Brian Daboll named veteran Russell Wilson as the starter in the season opener. Wilson struggled in an ugly loss in Week 1, and the game wasn’t even over before critical fans began clamoring for Wilson’s benching. It feels like only a matter of time before Jaxson is promoted and gets his chance to start, but the Giants still must work out serious problems with their porous offensive line. Dart is a long shot at +2200 odds to win OROY.
Running back RJ Harvey posted impressive numbers at UCF (including 25 combined touchdowns in 2024), and the Denver Broncos selected him with a second-round pick. Sean Payton tapped veteran J.K. Dobbins as the Week 1 starter, but Harvey attracted a lot of buzz in the preseason. As soon as Payton inserted Harvey into Week 1’s game against the Titans, the rookie snapped off a 50-yard run that fired up the crowd at old Mile High Stadium. Harvey finished his debut with six carries for 70 yards and led the Broncos in rushing, even though Dobbins had 10 more carries. If you love long shots, Harvey is a juicy +2800 odds to win OROY.
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