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To start the season, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is the odds-on favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
While Jeanty does have Tennessee Titans quarterback and first overall pick Cam Ward nipping at his heels, Jeanty is in tremendous position to light the NFL on fire in his rookie year. He comes into the season as the undisputed starting running back for a Raiders team hoping to find more balance on offense, and both new head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have relied on strong running games to open the offense up. In other words, the Raiders are expected to turn Jeanty loose ear ly and often throughout the season, giving him the chance to set rookie records in the same vein as Brock Bowers last season.
Despite all of the excitement surrounding Jeanty, he is not the only rookie running back the NFL is excited about heading into the new season.
An AFC West rival boasts a talented rookie of their own who can challenge Jeanty.
Not too long after the Raiders drafted Jeanty with the sixth overall pick, the Los Angeles Chargers made the decision to draft North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with the 22nd overall pick.
Just behind Jeanty and Ward, Hampton is the best candidate out of the top two to ascend the rankings and win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. It would give the Chargers their second award-winner in the past six seasons, as quarterback Justin Herbert won the award in 2020. ESPN’s Ben Solak seems to believe Hampton can do exactly that.
“Omarion Hampton will win Offensive Rookie of the Year,” wrote Solak . “I think he will quickly out-touch Najee Harris, and I think the Chargers want to go back to a more run-heavy approach after turning pass-heavy out of necessity late last season. He’ll outproduce fellow first-rounder Ashton Jeanty, too. I see a 1,200-rushing-yard season incoming.”
In fairness, a case can be made that Jeanty and Hampton will battle all season long for the award.
Since taking over as Chargers head coach in 2024, Jim Harbaugh has expressed a commitment towards the ground game, and his two first-round picks in Hampton and offensive tackle Joe Alt in 2024 confirm that. While Hampton does not have the clear path to snaps that Jeanty does, it is expected that he will be the starter shortly during the season. With two talented running backs on teams looking to establish themselves on the ground, both players will be pushed to deliver on expectations this season.
Jeanty has the early edge for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he may have to look over his shoulder the entire way.
More must-reads:
- Browns have major injury concern on offense after starter exits game
- Falcons HC speaks out after offensive starter gets carted off practice field with concerning injury
- The '2024-25 NFL rushing touchdown leaders' quiz
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The Dallas Stars have had many defining moments in their history, but few symbolize loyalty and leadership like Mike Modano's contract extension in the early 2000s. On August 21, 2003, the Stars officially locked up their franchise icon with an extension that cemented his role as the face of hockey in Texas. The move wasn't just about keeping a superstar forward, it was about keeping the identity of the Stars firmly tied to one of the most respected players in the game. Mike Modano's extension showed his loyalty and lasting impact on the Dallas Stars At the time, speculation lingered about whether Modano might test the waters elsewhere. Instead, he reaffirmed his commitment to Dallas, the franchise that had drafted him first overall back in 1988 when they were still the Minnesota North Stars. "This team, this city, it means everything to me. Staying here was the only choice that felt right," Modano said during the press conference announcing the deal. Those words resonated with fans, as his decision represented stability during an era when star players often left in search of bigger contracts. The extension also ensured that Modano would continue climbing the NHL record books in a Stars uniform. He went on to become the all-time American-born leader in goals and points, a record that defined his Hall of Fame career. Looking back, the August 21 signing stands as a cornerstone moment in Dallas Stars history. I think it was one of the smartest moves the franchise ever made, keeping Modano in green not only secured wins on the ice but also preserved a legacy that still inspires players today.
Trevon Diggs sends a simple yet slightly cryptic message that has Cowboys Nation speculating ahead of roster cuts
In a time where Dallas Cowboys fans eagerly hope a Micah Parsons contract extension happens despite a public feud between the star plater and front office, every social media post can be taken out of proportion. Saturday morning provided a simple example: Cornerback Trevon Diggs changed his profile picture to an image of he and Parsons right after posting "Thank You God!" Several responses to the post are questions from fans asking if it means Parsons signed with the team. Trevon Diggs' post is unlikely to mean anything Parsons related In reality, the post is unlikely to mean any of that. If it carries a football meaning, however, my guess would be it has more to do with his health and roster status. Diggs hasn't practiced all offseason and preseason as he recovers from a knee injury but there's a chance he plays Week 1. "Maybe, maybe not," Diggs told reporters when asked if he would play in the NFL Kickoff versus the Philadelphia Eagles, via ESPN's Todd Archer. Not only is his Week 1 status up in the air but so is his roster spot, in a way. Diggs is currently in the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) and can remain there to avoid taking up a spot on the 53-man roster. If he does start the season on PUP, the Cowboys could use that spot in another player but Diggs would be forced to miss a minimum of four games. In other words, the Cowboys need to decide if they're willing to cut a player to carry Diggs despite health uncertainty. Perhaps Diggs' post means he will make the cut. Perhaps he just woke up and wanted to thank God. We'll find out soon enough as roster cuts are due by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
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