With seven weeks remaining in the 2014 season, a healthy list of Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates has emerged. Players like QB Derek Carr, TE Travis Kelcie, RB Jerick Mickinnon, RB Branden Oliver, OT Taylor Lewan, OT Ja'Wuan James, C Corey Linsley, OG Joel Bitonio and OG Zack Martin have all played well enough to be considered for this distinguished award. However, out of this list, Bitonio and Martin appear to be the most legitimate contenders, but voters will also have a difficult time ignoring the outstanding play at another position.
Going into the 2014 NFL Draft, the consensus thought among scouting experts was that this was the best class of receivers in a long time and they couldn't have been more accurate. Like the 1983 quarterback class, this group could very well contain several Hall of Fame players when it's all said and done. Take a quick look at these stats I've compiled and meet me on the other side for a look at what stands out to me.
12 Fantastic Receivers
Player | G | Rec | TGTS | Yrds | Avg | Yrds/G | LG | TD | Drps | Drp/% | YAC | 1st Dn |
Kelvin Benjamin | 10 | 43 | 85 | 659 | 15.3 | 65.9 | 51 | 7 | 6 | 7.1% | 93 | 29 |
Sammy Watkins | 10 | 45 | 84 | 649 | 14.4 | 64.9 | 84 | 5 | 3 | 6.8% | 219 | 34 |
Mike Evans | 8 | 39 | 63 | 585 | 15.0 | 73.1 | 40 | 5 | 3 | 4.8% | 94 | 25 |
Allen Robinson | 10 | 48 | 81 | 548 | 11.4 | 54.8 | 54 | 2 | 1 | 1.2% | 160 | 26 |
Brandin Cooks | 9 | 48 | 63 | 500 | 10.4 | 55.6 | 50 | 3 | 1 | 1.6% | 144 | 21 |
Allen Hurns | 10 | 30 | 56 | 475 | 15.8 | 47.5 | 63 | 5 | 6 | 10.7% | 160 | 17 |
Jordan Matthews | 9 | 39 | 63 | 451 | 11.6 | 50.1 | 33 | 5 | 2 | 3.3% | 239 | 26 |
Taylor Gabriel | 9 | 24 | 42 | 435 | 18.1 | 48.3 | 70 | 1 | 2 | 4.8% | 182 | 16 |
Jarvis Landry | 10 | 42 | 54 | 400 | 9.5 | 40.0 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 3.6% | 257 | 25 |
John Brown | 9 | 29 | 57 | 399 | 13.8 | 44.3 | 75 | 5 | 2 | 3.5% | 116 | 16 |
Odell Beckham Jr | 5 | 25 | 37 | 370 | 14.8 | 74.0 | 59 | 3 | 1 | 2.9% | 112 | 20 |
Martavis Bryant | 4 | 14 | 25 | 310 | 22.1 | 77.5 | 80 | 6 | 2 | 8.3% | 34 | 9 |
Conclusions
1. Kelvin Benjamin leads all rookie receivers in targets, yards and touchdowns, but he also has the most drops. The Carolina Panthers' number one receiver has played admirably, but his numbers reveal a lack of efficiency. I'd love to say that he's the front-runner, but I don't believe he deserves to be. Frankly, a healthy chunk of his yards and touchdowns have come in garbage time. About a third of the season remains, so there is plenty of time for someone to gain some separation, but I imagine the final numbers will look very similar, making it even more difficult for voters.
2. Undrafted free agents, Allen Hurns and Taylor Gabriel are currently in the top eight in terms of yardage and they are another indicator of just how rich this draft was in wide receivers.
3. Odell Beckham Jr and Martavis Bryant would be the leading contenders for rookie of the year had they been afforded the opportunity to play from the very beginning. In fact, Bryant's gaudy six touchdowns in four games extrapolates to 24 touchdowns for a full season of play, which would have been enough to break the all time record of 22 held by RB Gale Sayers and would have shattered Randy Moss' receiver record of 17.
4. Mike Evans' play has steadily improved throughout the season and his numbers back that progression. For this reason, he's my dark horse to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Conversely, Benjamin's play has been so inconsistent that it wouldn't surprise me if he finishes in third place overall(or lower).
5. When the Jaguars drafted Blake Bortles, they were determined, much like the Indianapolis Colts with Andrew Luck in 2012, to surround him with weapons immediately and, as a result, the trio of Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee and the aforementioned Hurns will be making plays for years to come. Drafting Benjamin in the first round was definitely a step in the right direction by the Panthers and the same type of early round attention at the receiver position needs to continue into the 2015 NFL Draft if they intend to make life easier for their franchise quarterback(offensive tackle notwithstanding).
6. Did you know that a guard has never won Offensive Rookie of the Year? In fact, the winner has always come from one of three positions: Quarterback, Wide Receiver and Running Back. Will this be the year that this changes? If it is, then Zack Martin will get the nod. If not, then the winner will be...........Sammy Watkins.
What about you CSR? Who do you think will win this award?