Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty tabbed co-OROY favorites

Field Level Media|published: Fri 25th April, 18:42 2025

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon, left, poses for pictures with Cam Ward who earlier had been introduced as the Tennessee Titans first-round pick – and overall number one pick – in the NFL Draft at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, April 25, 2025. Moon, whose No. 1 jersey is retired for the Tennessee Titans, allowed Ward to wear his number.

With one round of the 2025 NFL Draft complete, sportsbooks are already projecting the NFL's rookie of the year races.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward and Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty enter the season neck and neck in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, in the eyes of multiple books.

DraftKings Sportsbook had Ward and Jeanty as co-favorites at +200 as of Friday afternoon. FanDuel Sportsbook gave the slightest edge to Ward at +330, with Jeanty pegged at +340.

Ward was the No. 1 overall pick out of Miami after racking up 39 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores for the Hurricanes last year. He figures to take over the Titans' offense from Will Levis as a rookie.

Jeanty had one of the best seasons by a college running back in history, piling up 2,601 rushing yards and 29 rushing TDs in 14 games at Boise State. The Raiders chose Jeanty sixth overall Thursday.

One wrinkle in the race is No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter. The Heisman Trophy winner will attempt to play both wide receiver and cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, just as he did at Colorado. Hunter was third in the OROY odds at both sportsbooks -- +600 at FanDuel and +750 at DraftKings.

The Defensive Rookie of the Year race has a clear favorite. The New York Giants chose edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, and Carter is a +225 favorite at DraftKings for the award and +240 at FanDuel.

--Field Level Media