On Thursday night, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was given the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award at the 2025 NFL Honors. It’s a well-deserved award, as he put up one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. Furthermore, he’s in good company with some other players who had a stellar first year and won the same award.
The Best NFL OROY Seasons of All Time
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (2024)
Daniels had an electric rookie season for the Commanders, as he led the team to a 12-5 regular season record, two playoff victories, and their first NFC Championship appearance in 33 years. The LSU alum finished the regular season passing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also ran for 891 yards and six touchdowns. Daniels was remarkably clutch with multiple game-winning drives, including a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears.
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (2021)
Chase had one of the best rookie seasons for a wide receiver. In 2021, he started every game for the Bengals, had 81 catches for 1,455 yards, an average of 18 yards per catch, and 13 touchdowns. The LSU alum set a single-game rookie record with 266 receiving yards in a late-season victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Chase got to participate in that year’s Super Bowl along with his Bengals teammates, including quarterback Joe Burrow.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (2018)
The No. 2 pick in the 2018 Draft, Barkley burst onto the scene as a rookie with the Giants. The Penn State alum set the single-season receptions record for a rookie running back with 91 catches. Barkley’s 1,556 scrimmage yards were the third-most in NFL history for a rookie. Six years later, he went on to win AP Offensive Player of the Year with the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants (2014)
The second Giants player and the third LSU alum on this list, Beckham set the NFL on fire in 2014. The rookie wideout made history with 91 catches for 1,305 receiving yards. OBJ was the first NFL rookie to have more than 75 receptions, 1,100 yards, and 10 touchdowns in a season. He even had the play of the year when he hauled in an incredible one-handed catch for a touchdown in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (2011)
The first overall pick in the 2011 Draft, Newton became the Panthers’ new face of the franchise that season. The former Auburn quarterback showed off his rocket arm and electric mobility in Carolina. Newton set multiple records, including the most combined touchdowns for a rookie in NFL history with 35. He also amassed the most combined yards in a rookie season with 4,784.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (2007)
Coming off an amazing college career at Oklahoma, Peterson followed that up with an equally impressive pro career as well. In his rookie season, Peterson had 1,341 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 games. He even set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a game with 296 in a game against the San Diego Chargers.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (2004)
After replacing an injured Tommy Maddox in a Week 2 loss, Big Ben went on to win every game he started, leading the Steelers to a league-leading 15-1 record. The No. 1 seed in the AFC, the rookie quarterback won his first playoff game against the New York Jets in the Divisional Round. Stat-wise, Roethlisberger threw for 2,621 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings (1998)
Eventually becoming one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, Moss set the league on fire in his rookie season. The future Hall-of-Famer set multiple records with the Vikings in 1998, including most receiving touchdowns (17), most catches (69), and most yards (1,313). He even had a notable stat line in the Thanksgiving contest against the Cowboys with three catches, 163 yards, and three touchdowns.
Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions (1989)
Sanders had 10 incredible seasons in Detroit, and his rookie season is no exception. The future Hall-of-Famer rushed for 1,470 yards, which was a then-Lions record. Sanders’ first carry as an NFL running back was an 18-yard gain, setting the stage for a legendary career.
Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers (1978)
The top pick in the 1978 Draft, Campbell went on to an electric first season in the NFL. The Oiler rushed for a league-leading and rookie record 1,450 yards, winning both Offensive Rookie of the Year AND Offensive Player of the Year. He went on to win the Most Valuable Player award the next season.
Main Photo: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
