Way Too Early Offensive Rookie of the Year Predictions: Who’s Impressing Most?

The market currency has Jaxson Dart as the favourite through six weeks of the NFL, however there are three rookies who are impressing a lot, and each have their own very compelling argument to be crowned the offensive rookie of the year this season. Here they are.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As the first receiver off the board in the 2025 NFL draft, for me Emeka Egbuka was the steal of the draft for Tampa Bay, and was a very smart and calculated selection. With Mike Evans’ recent injury history, and with his age not getting any lower, bringing in a young and exciting receiver to take over from him was a great idea, and in some way it has already panned out better than expected for the Buccaneers. Egbuka has shown over six weeks that he has the skills and drive to be a number one NFL receiver, and his transition from college to professional has been flawless, and his stats so far show that.

Having 27 receptions for 469 yards, catching 5 touchdowns, in the absence of Mike Evan, Egbuka has become the main target for Baker Mayfield, and their chemistry so far has been flawless. Stepping into a role of a guy who has been showered in success over the years is certainly not an easy task for any player let alone a rookie, however Emeka Egbuka has shown that he is and will be a key part of the Buccaneers success this season, and as far as rookies go, he has arguably been the most important to his team, and having the likes of Mayfield and head coach Todd Bowles lean on him, and have trust in him is something you expect from 10 year veterans, not first round rookies.

Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Despite being the second tight end off the board, Tyler Warren has become everything he promised and more. The former Penn State Nittany Lion was selected 14th overall, four spaces behind Colston Loveland who went 10th to Chicago, has burst onto the scene as one of the Colts most electric players. We have all seen how fresh and electric the Colts have looked so far offensively this season, and a lot of that is down to the versatility and drive Warren has on the field. Much like Egbuka in Tampa, Warren has become Daniel Jones’ main target in his redemption year, and has become a trusted and credible guy whether it is first, or third down.

Warren is seeing a lot more targets than the likes of Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr, and who knows how much more important Warren could become for the Colts with weeks to come. The Colts themselves have been a very heavy force on offense this year, showcasing how effective their rushing game is, but it is Tyler Warren’s game which is turning heads in Indy, and he is, and will continue to be the next great tight end for the Colts, and he will become the number one guy offensively in the air for them in years to come.

Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants

As a fourth round pick, Cam Skattebo’s presence has completely revitalised the Giants offense with his heavy hitting, heavy driving, and relentless playing style, and he could be one of their most important assets already. Forming a great partnership with fellow teammate and rookie Jaxson Dart, New York have begun to cement themselves as one of the most dangerous rushing teams in the NFL, and that is all down to Skattebo. Being third in rushing touchdowns across the whole league with five isn’t just a fluke, it highlights how far his game has progressed over six weeks, and it is only going to get better.

But why does Skattebo deserve to be in the OROTY conversation? His importance to the Giants is the answer. With the season ending injury Malik Nabers was dealt, the Giants big gain plays, and most of their big chunk offense is now heavily dependent on the rushing game, and that is what Skattebo does best. When called upon he is their guy, and he is a guy that has reformed the Giants run game, and is arguably their most important asset on offense given how much he offers in the run game. If he continues with how he is playing, and only carries on improving, Skattebo is well in for a shout at the OROTY award, and he is definitely one of the best rookies so far on show.