Another NFL regular season is coming to a close. Obviously, we still have all the playoffs to enjoy but NFL Honors are connected to the regulation and not to the post-season (in theory, at least). Thus, we can already check who were the best rookies who can aspire to lift some silverware, come February. The impressive numbers put together by first-year players fuel about the season’s rookie award predictions. For updates on the favorites in each category, please refer to the page linked above and read each player’s stats, odds to win the dedicated rookie award and predictions about their future career.
Who leads the league in touchdowns among rookies?
In determining the odds for a rookie to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, a stat to always keep in mind is the number of touchdowns scored. You win by scoring more points than your opponents and doing it constantly is a quick way to earn respect and accolades in the NFL. As we write this, several teams have a couple of games to play before looking ahead to the post-season or off-season. So far, we have 4 running backs leading the league in touchdowns among rookies.
RJ Harvey of the Denver Broncos, fresh winners of the AFC West and possible seed no.1 in the American Conference, already scored 13 times. Ashton Jeanty chases his title with 10 touchdowns to his name but plays in the lowly Las Vegas Raiders and doesn’t seem to be in position to worry his divisional rival. TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots) and Bill Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders) broke the plane 8 times each. In fifth position we have the New York Giants’ quarterback, Jaxson Dart, who plays in a position where winning awards is easier, but wasn’t that convincing throughout the season. He made some strides, true, but also several mistakes.
Hands like glue
Talking about receivers, we have a trio of electric playmakers that can very well have their saying in the OROY discussion. Tetairoa McMillan seems a navigated receiver and contributed to the Carolina Panthers’ transformation. He has already received 924 yards in the season. Behind him we find Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 910 rec yds) and Tyler Warren (Indianapolis Colts, 748). It’s not that rare, for a wide receiver, to win the OROY race.
Running like the wind
On Ultimate Capper we often talk about running backs and their performance. And how can we not? These players can directly alter the outcome of a game with their sheer strength. More often than not, they win you a game. This is the reason why it is easy to find them on our staff picks and predictions page.
Between the top rookie rushers we find the same names we met when we were writing about touchdowns. Jeanty rushed for 828 yards. Quinshon Judkins of the Cleveland Browns has 827 rush yds to his name, but his season is already over because of an injury. Henderson and Croskey-Merritt are third in this special chart, tied at 776 as we write.
What about the defense?
We chose to write more about the offense because the decision will be harder to make. In fact, there is more consensus around the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Here, we have a clear frontrunner: Carson Schwesinger, who plays as a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. Sadly, his team has a lot of holes to fill on offense and is pretty far away from being a contender. On defense, though, they are more than explosive.
Obviously, it largely depends on the presence of Myles Garrett, an unstoppable force who made the Browns the best total and pass defense in the league and is on pace for the single season sack record, an accolade that would cement his legacy forever, more than it already is. Garrett will be a first-ballot hall of famer – without any doubt – but he isn’t alone in that elite unit. His teammates are named Alex Wright, Cameron Thomas, Isaiah McGuire, Mason Graham and Shelby Harris. Good luck to whoever they play. Schwesinger has a lot to learn from this unit and he’s already doing so.
