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Running Back Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders walks onto the stage during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, 2025.
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders is already in a better position than any other rookie running back to succeed. He is the only rookie running back that is projected to lead his team’s backfield at the start of the 2025 season.
But expert NFL analyst and Raiders insider Moe Moton thinks Jeanty will do more than just stand out amongst rookie running backs.
In an article titled, “5 NFL RBs in Best Position for Breakout Season in 2025”, Moton tabbed Jeanty as a likely pick to finish as a top-10 running back this season.
“Jeanty could finish the upcoming season with 250-plus carries,” Moton wrote. “If he’s involved in the short passing game, the rookie running back should easily eclipse 1,300 scrimmage yards.”
That’s certainly a bold pick for an inexperienced rookie. Especially a rookie who is stepping into a Raiders offense that had the fewest rushing yards in the league last season in 2024.
Jeanty Is The Offensive Rookie of the Year Favorite
Moton is not the only entity high on Jeanty ahead of his rookie season.
According to Vegas Insider, Jeanty has the best odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Vegas insider reports that Jeanty’s odds are +250 at BETMGM and +275 at ESPN BET.
“Jeanty is justifiably the favorite to win 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year heading into the season,” Moton wrote.
To recap, insiders and sportsbooks believe that Jeanty is the favorite to be the best rookie running back,the best offensive rookie, and in contention for the best running back regardless of experience in the entire NFL.
Raiders fans understandably cannot wait to see Jeanty hit the field.
Who Is Jeanty’s Competition for OROY?
While Jeanty is the favorite to win offensive rookie of the year for his history of high production at a high volume, the 2025 rookie class is loaded with intriguing offensive stars.
Jeanty’s stiffest competition will likely come from Tennessee Titans Rookie QB Cam Ward. The Titans selected Ward No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft and handed him the keys to the franchise.
Given that voters usually favor quarterbacks over running backs for awards like this one, Ward could be the most difficult rival for Jeanty to overcome in the OROY race.
It will also be fascinating to watch Jeanty compete with Jacksonville Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter. Hunter beat out Jeanty for the Heisman Trophy award, given to the best player in college football, last season.
Hunter’s odds of winning the award are longer because he will split time between the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but the Jaguars have consistently said he will focus on offense to begin his career. So if he becomes a full time wide receiver, he could be Jeanty’s most intriguing competition for the award.
Quarterback Tyler Shough of the New Orleans Saints is another decent candidate to compete for the award, solely because experts project him to be the Saints’ starting QB in 2025.
Finally, analysts will inevitably compare Jeanty to Los Angeles Chargers rookie RB Omarion Hampton all season long. Hampton is the clear No. 2 rookie running back behind Jeanty. If he is able to put up similar numbers to Jeanty, the NFL world will play very close attention and the two divisional matchups between the Raiders and Chargers will be fascinating.
What do you think, Raiders fans? Will Ashton Jeanty win offensive rookie of the year? Who will be his fiercest challenger for the award?
