This NFL season saw major contributions from a various rookies around the league this season. The following group of players made the biggest impact on the league in their first year as pros and have a chance to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Jeremy Hill – Hill started the season for the Bengals as the number two back behind Giovanni Bernard. After the team started struggling on the offensive end, Hill stepped into the role as the number one back in week nine verse the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hill hit the ground running rushing for a season high 154 yards and two touchdowns. He would finish his rookie campaign with 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns. His 1,124 yards are eighth in the NFL and the most by a rookie this season.
Mike Evans – If it hadn’t been for the sensationalism surrounding Odell Beckham Jr. in New York Mike Evans production in Tampa Bay would have been much more appreciated. Evans came into the league as the second receiver taken in the 2014 draft and quickly began to dominate opposing defenses. After eclipsing the hundred yard mark in back to back games verse the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons, he had his best performance recording seven catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns against the Washington Redskins. This would mark the first time a rookie receiver would record 100 yards and a touchdown in three consecutive games since Randy Moss in 1998. He would finish the season with 68 receptions for 1,051 yards and a franchise record 12 touchdowns.
Sammy Watkins – Watkins showed Bills fans he was worth the number four overall pick with his stellar play this season. Watkins got off to and early start this season recording his first touchdown grab in week two of the season. In week seven against the Minnesota Vikings Watkins caught nine passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. For his performance he would earn the second of his three rookie of the week honors. Watkins would also receive the rookie of the month award for his play in October. He would finish the season with 65 receptions for 982 yards and six touchdowns. He set franchise records for receptions and yardage as a rookie.
Odell Beckham Jr. – After missing the majority of training camp, the entire preseason, and the first four games of the season Beckham put on a record setting season. Beckham was a lone bright spot during a disappointing Giants season. With his big play ability and habit for making insane catches, Beckham recorded four player of the week performances, two player of the month honors, and a trip to the Pro Bowl. He finished of the year with 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns as well as a slew of NFL and franchise records.
Teddy Bridgewater – After a slow start Bridgewater was really able to hit his stride in the second half of the season. He was able to complete 259 passes on 402 attempts for a completion percentage of 64.4 with 2,919 yards and 14 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 85.2. Bridgewater set Vikings franchise rookie records for completions, attempts, yards, and quarterback ratings Bridgewater appeared in 13 games, 12 of which he started. He would record six wins posting the Vikings franchise record for wins by a rookie. Although Bridgewater didn’t post gaudy numbers like the rest of the players on the list, he was a stable performer for the Vikings and was able to produce more wins than his other quarterback counterparts.
The award will be given the night before the Super Bowl on January 31st. With the announcement looming on the night before the Super Bowl, all eyes are on Beckham as the most likely candidate to win the award.
