Tetairoa McMillan Wins NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Continuing Top‑10 Draft Pick Trend

Tetairoa McMillan was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2025 season, marking the eighth instance in the last ten years that the award has gone to a top‑10 draft pick. Their main competition came from Cam Ward and Ashton Jeanty after Travis Hunter suffered a season‑ending injury. The analysis notes that tight ends and offensive linemen, despite being selected in the top ten, have never won the honor.

Looking ahead to the 2026 award race, the report highlights several potential contenders, including running backs Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, and Jordyn Tyson, as well as quarterback prospects such as Ty Simpson and Makai Lemon. The last non‑top‑10 winner was Alvin Kamara in 2017, and the piece also references historic winners like Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Ja’Marr Chase, and Percy Harvin.