The checklist of all-time nice working backs who received NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honors is spectacular.
You’d want three or 4 paragraphs to recite all of them. We’ll title 5 — Earl Campbell (1978), Barry Sanders (1989), Emmitt Smith (1990), Marshall Faulk (1994) and Adrian Peterson (2007).
Apologies to the Corridor of Famers not talked about, however the level is that this: If a working again sometime turns into a legend, he doubtless received Rookie of the 12 months honors whereas getting his profession off to a fantastic begin.
That’s the state of affairs going through Las Vegas Raiders working again Ashton Jeanty as he takes intention at NFL stardom.
Jeanty was the Heisman Trophy runner-up at Boise State after placing collectively probably the greatest working again seasons in faculty soccer historical past in 2024. His 2,601 speeding yards and 29 touchdowns on the bottom rank second behind Sanders’ epic 1988 marketing campaign at Oklahoma State.
Jeanty’s prime competitors will come from Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Travis Hunter. The darkish horses embrace Los Angeles Chargers working again Omarion Hampton and New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
Although working backs have historically fared effectively on this race, the final rookie to win was Saquon Barkley (then of the New York Giants) in 2018.
Since then, 4 quarterbacks and two receivers have earned the dignity. Quarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders was final season’s prime rookie.
Jeanty, the No. 6 general choose, has a stable probability to finish the latest working again drought.
Not solely does he have breakaway velocity — he had 5 landing runs of 70 or extra yards final season — however he additionally breaks tackles with ease.
Jeanty additionally shall be taking part in for a head coach in Pete Carroll who favors a bell-cow again, that means he’ll get loads of carries. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly can be recognized for that includes prime backs closely.
Jeanty will catch extra passes within the professionals, versus faculty, the place merely handing him the ball and getting out of the way in which was usually the very best technique.
To outduel Ward, Jeanty will doubtless want at the very least 1,500 scrimmage yards — and should have to strategy 2,000.
Barkley totaled 2,028 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns in 2018 whereas edging out then-Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 scores.
In 2017, Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints received the award with 1,556 scrimmage yards, beating out one other working again in Kareem Hunt, then with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Ward shall be a robust competitor. Solely an damage or being fully overwhelmed will forestall him from being the Recreation 1 starter for Tennessee.
And should you’ve watched even one Ward interview, you realize he doesn’t lack confidence.
Ward handed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns final season at Miami, with simply seven interceptions. He added 4 speeding scores and completed fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Ward is a big improve over Will Levis, the Titans’ second-round choose in 2023. The opposite quarterbacks on the roster are journeymen Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
As for Hunter, the large query is how his snaps shall be break up between offense and protection — or whether or not coaching camp will decide he’s higher as a major participant on one aspect of the ball and a complementary piece on the opposite. He’s a top-tier cornerback.
At Colorado final season, the Heisman winner delivered a standout receiving marketing campaign with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Latest receivers to win the award embrace the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase (2021) and the New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson (2022).
Hampton might emerge if the Chargers’ backfield stays unsettled. Veteran free agent Najee Harris was added within the offseason, and Hampton will doubtless share carries on the outset. He rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns at North Carolina in 2024.
Shough might additionally begin, notably if Derek Carr undergoes shoulder surgical procedure. Even when Carr is wholesome, new head coach Kellen Moore could need to transfer on and go along with the group’s second-round choose. Shough handed for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and 6 interceptions at Louisville final season.
