Now that the NFL Draft has concluded it’s time to project who could potentially become this seasons rookie of the year. After seeing the success of Odell Beckham Jr. from a year ago, there will be pressure from these rookies to repeat the success. Who has the best chance to bring home this year’s offensive rookie of the year award.
- Melvin Gordon (San Diego Chargers)
Melvin Gordon is a talented runningback who reminds me of Jammal Charles. Gordon simply has the ability to take a run to the house at anytime, something that cannot be said of a lot of other backs. Gordon will also be the workhorse back for San Diego as Brandon Oliver figures to come in when the former Wisconsin tailback needs a breather. While Gordon was not the highest drafted back, he will have a better chance to succeed than Todd Gurley in the earlier portion of the season. Gurley may start the season on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL during the latter half of the college football season. With Gurley’s questionable health, Gordon should be the favorite of any half back to bring home the award. Charger fans can only hope Gordon can be the next LaDanian Tomlinson.
2. Amari Cooper (Oakland Raiders)
Cooper was first wide receiver drafted in this years NFL draft out of Alabama. Cooper is one of the smoothest route runners I have seen come out in the draft in a long time. Wide outs often have a difficult time adjusting to the NFL game but Cooper’s skills should translate from day one. Cooper’s chances to win the award rest on the shoulders of Derek Carr. If the second year quarterback can put together a proficient season Cooper has a chance to win the award as he is expected to be the number one target in Oakland’s offense.
3. Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Jameis Winston is looks to be fitting in nicely with his new teammates in hopes of putting together a great rookie season. Winston has the best chance of any quarterback to win the award because of how ‘NFL’ ready he is, reminding me of a young Cam Newton. Marcus Mariota will have a tougher time adjusting to the league as he comes from a high paced spread offense at Oregon. The biggest question mark is not his talent but his off the field concerns. If Winston can stay out of trouble he has a great chance to land rookie of the year honors. Tampa Bay will also play in the leagues weakest division as Carolina won last season with a below .500 record (7-8-1).
4. Breshad Perriman (Baltimore Ravens)
Perriman was the 26th overall pick and 5th receiver taken in the draft. The luxery for Perriman will be that he gets to play with a Superbowl winning quarterback in Joe Flacco, something the other rookie receivers will not be doing. Perriman may also have the best size to speed ratio in the draft. At 6’3″ he ran a 4.25, 40 time at his pro day, a feat the other first round receivers cannot compare to.
If Perriman can fill the role the departed Torrey Smith left he has every opportunity to win the award. His height, weight, speed combination makes Perriman a dangerous target to keep an eye out for in the future. 2nd round tight end Maxx Williams has an outside chance at the award if he can manage to become the red zone threat Baltimore desperately needs with the questionable health of Dennis Pitta and departure of Owen Daniels.
5. Nelson Agholor (Philadelphia Eagles)
Agholor is the new Jeremy Maclin in Chip Kelly’s offense. Agholor could be mistaken as his clone as the are virtually identically when comparing the two on film. With the high power offense head coach Chip Kelly runs, Agholor could actually be the favorite to win the award. If Agholor can reach 10 touchdowns as Maclin did a year ago I would not be surprised if the former USC receiver won the award.
