It’s no surprise that Las Vegas Raiders’ first 2025 draft pick, Ashton Jeanty, is already drawing serious buzz ahead of the 2025 NFL season — especially among Raiders fans eager to see what their dynamic new weapon can do. The rookie running back has emerged as a consensus favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY), earning widespread recognition in a recent ESPN panel of 17 NFL experts.
In that poll, Jeanty received eight votes to take home OROY honors — the most of any candidate. The next closest was Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who earned four.
Las Vegas Raiders Ashton Jeanty Leads Odds To Win OROY
Fantasy football analyst Stephania Bell pointed to Jeanty’s expected usage as a key factor: “His name will be called early and often in Las Vegas, giving him the stats to run away with this title,” Bell wrote. “Rookie quarterback Cam Ward will uplift the Titans’ offense enough to put him in contention, but I expect Jeanty to find the end zone a lot and vault to the top of this race.”
Jeanty’s appeal isn’t hard to grasp. Shortly after the draft, sportsbooks listed him as the betting favorite to win OROY — a nod to both his explosive college résumé and the opportunity waiting for him in the Raiders’ offense. With a revamped scheme and young quarterback Geno Smith under center, Jeanty is well-positioned to produce early and often.
Still, not everyone is ready to crown him just yet. ESPN’s Seth Walder voted for Ward, citing historical precedent and positional value: “This award is just so tilted toward quarterbacks,” he noted. “Ward was the clear-cut QB1 in this class, and I like how the Titans fortified their offensive line ahead of his arrival.”
Other rookies receiving votes included Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (2), along with RJ Harvey, Travis Hunter, and Colston Loveland.
The race may be crowded, but Jeanty is already leading the charge.