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Breaking down the five offensive rookie of the year finalists

The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Carolina Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

SAN FRANCISCO — Every year, the best of the best in the league descend on NFL Honors. The top at their position, their side of the ball, and in the game as a whole walk the red carpet, take the stage, and are recognized for their impact on the game that season.

Carolina Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan will be amongst that group tonight, as one of the five finalists for the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year. He is facing off against Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson, and Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.

Each guy earned his spot as a finalist, but voters—50 nationwide media members who cover the league—are tasked with finding the edge each has over the other. The votes are tabulated by each voter listing their top five for each award. A first-place vote is worth 10 points, a second-place vote is worth 5 points, and third, fourth, and fifth place are worth 3, 2, and 1 points, respectively. The weighted point system awards those with the most points.

McMillan has already been named the offensive rookie of the year and overall rookie of the year by the PFWA (pro football writers of America). In 13 of the last 15 years, the rookie that won the PFWA offensive rookie of the year, subsequently won the AP rookie of the year at NFL Honors.

Before tonight's awards show, let's take a look at the five finalists and how they stack up against each other and the league.

*All stats are for the regular season only. They were gathered from Next Gen Stats, Pro Football Focus, and Pro Football Reference. Each table looks at relevant stats such as total yardage, first downs and touchdowns gained, the percentage of offensive snaps each guy played for his respective team, and the share of offensive production he was responsible for adding.

The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Tetairoa McMillan: Panthers, WR

The Panthers No. 8 overall pick helped reshape Carolina's offense this season, giving Bryce Young a big, reliable, talented target. From one-handed catches to wide-open game-changing plays, McMillan became a highlight reel waiting to happen.

Rec./Tar. Receiving yds. Scrimmage yds. TDs First downs % of snaps played % of off. production
70-122 1,014 1,014 7 55 87.18% 20.18%

Final PFF Grade: 78.7

Games started/played: 17/17

What they're saying: Kyle Shanahan on McMillan ahead of Week 12: "I think he's a stud. He's going to be one of the best receivers in this league sooner than later. He's got all the skill sets to do it, and I think he's just getting started."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) drops a pass during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 in Tampa, Fla. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)

Emeka Egbuka: Buccaneers, WR

When the Bucs veteran receiver group suffered injuries early in the season, Tampa Bay's 19th overall pick stepped up, becoming one of Baker Mayfield's favorite targets and making the big plays the Bucs needed.

Rec./Tar. Yds. Scrimmage yds. TDs First down % of snaps played % of off. production
63-127 938 947 6 34 78.3% 17.39%

Final PFF Grade: 67.3

Games started/played: 13/17

What they're saying: Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez on Egbuka after Week 10: "He's a good receiver — he got drafted high for a reason. They do a real good job, as I said earlier in the week, him and Mayfield">link-placeholder-0 have gotten into a rhythm very early in the season, and they continued it. It's a fun challenge out there—it was fun."

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) is pressured by Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) as he throws a pass during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. (Paul Spinelli via AP)

Tyler Shough: Saints, QB

Midway through the season, the Saints made a quarterback change, benching second-year passer Spencer Rattler for the rookie Shough. He's a mature rookie, after six years in college, at 26 years old. That experience showed up, as he went 5-4 in his starts. His nine starts would be the fewest ever by a quarterback to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Comp./Att. Pass. yds. Scrimmage yds. TDs First downs % of snaps played % of off. production
221-327 2,384 2,570 13 118 60.5% 48.21%

Final PFF Grade: 74.6

Games started/played: 9/11

What they're saying: NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay on why Shough would be the No. 1 overall pick in a re-draft: "Tracking to potentially be offensive rookie of the year. Measurables, mobility, 6-4 220, mobility, arm strength, off schedule, on schedule…If you're just dropped on this planet starting in September and you watch the whole season, to this point, who's been the best quarterback? Tyler Shough."

New England Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson (32) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (72) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

TreVeyon Henderson: Patriots, RB

This rookie became quarterback Drake Maye's best friend, especially while Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined with injury for a handful of games this season. Henderson helped the Patriots establish a rushing attack that changed their offense this season, and now they're playing for a Super Bowl.

Total touches Rushing yds. Scrimmage yds. TDs First downs % of snaps played % of off. production
215 911 1,132 10 52 45.80% 17.66%

Final PFF Grade: 68.9

Games started/played: 4/17

What they're saying: Tristan H. Cockcroft of ESPN: "There's a reason he earned the "Baby Saquon" sobriquet during his days at Ohio State, as Henderson's breakaway speed was apparent over the second half of the season…He's sure to play a more sizable role for an up-and-coming Patriots team in 2026."

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) runs with the ball past Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Jaxson Dart: Giants, QB

Despite losing wide receiver Malik Nabers in Week 1 and running back Cam Skattebo in Week 8, Dart was able to keep the Giants offense exciting, throwing for the second-most passing yards by a rookie in franchise history, and setting a new franchise record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.

Comp./Att. Pass. yds. Scrimmage yds. TDs First downs % of snaps played % of off. production
216-339 2,272 2,759 24 140 67.3% 48.67%

Final PFF Grade: 68.4

Games started/played: 12/14

What they're saying: ESPN NFL analyst Matt Miller on Dart in November: "He's playing exceptionally well. And to be thrown in, the expectation was that Russell Wilson would be the starter. You think that he's going to come in and be a guy that sits for a year and kind of learns, and that was not the case with him. He was thrown out there after a couple weeks. He's played exceptionally well."

Check out some of our favorite photos of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan throughout the 2025 season.

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