With each new NFL season, there are over 250 rookies who get drafted. On top of that, there are several undrafted free agents who manage to crack NFL rosters. Before the season begins, analysts do their best to project who the top NFL Rookie of the Year candidates are.
Last season, Kyler Murray and Nick Bosa won the AP Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards, respectively. Now that the NFL season is in full swing, we take a look at who some of the top offensive and defensive rookie performers have been thus far.
10. Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver, Denver Broncos
Despite the Denver Broncos juggling quarterbacks, it seemingly hasn’t impacted the production of Jerry Jeudy. With 13 receptions for 173 receiving yards through three games, Jeudy is off to a good start to his NFL career. A Week 1 fumble is a blemish on the stat sheet, but some rookie growing pains are to be expected. With that said, he’s a top Rookie of the Year candidate on a losing team. Not too shabby.
9. Antoine Winfield Jr., safety, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Antoine Winfield Jr. has lived up to his father’s name. In just three starts, Winfield Jr. has accumulated two sacks, a forced fumble, two pass deflections and 23 total tackles. With three games under his belt, he already looks like a legit NFL Rookie of the Year candidate.
8. Jonathan Taylor, running back, Indianapolis Colts
Since starting tailback Marlon Mack tore his Achilles in Week 1, Jonathan Taylor has run away with the job. His first game as a starter, the Wisconsin product picked up 101 yards and a touchdown. After three games, Taylor is up to 182 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries.
7. Justin Herbert, quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert had a unique start to his career, suddenly becoming a surprise starter in Week 2 after team doctors derailed Tyrod Taylor’s season. Since Herbert fell into the starting gig, he has actually performed really well. Although head coach Anthony Lynn insists that Taylor won’t lose his place in the starting lineup, there is no way Herbert loses his job if he continues his level of play. Back-to-back 300-yard games have Los Angeles Chargers fans excited for their future with Herbert at the helm. It also has him rivaling another quarterback for NFL Rookie of the Year honors.
6. James Robinson, running back, Jacksonville Jaguars
When the Jacksonville Jaguars released starting running back Leonard Fournette, fans assumed it was just them solidifying their plan to tank. Three weeks later, and the NFL world is slowly learning James Robinson’s name. Somehow, the undrafted rookie has earned the starting job and has run for 210 yards in three games. Well on his way to a 1,000-yard season, the running back out of Illinois State has been a rare diamond in the rough for the Jaguars.
5. Chase Young, defensive end, Washington Football Team
Chase Young has immediately gotten off to a hot start. For his first game, Young tallied 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. In Week 2, he followed up his dominant performance with another sack. Unfortunately, Young suffered a minor groin injury early in Week 3. While the No. 2 overall pick will miss this week’s game, he remains a top NFL Rookie of the Year candidate.
4. CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys
Once the Dallas Cowboys drafted CeeDee Lamb 17th overall, many fans expected it to be a perfect fit. They were right. After just three games, Lamb already has 230 receiving yards while catching north of 76.2% of his targets. What many saw at Oklahoma has now come to fruition in the NFL.
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, running back, Kansas City Chiefs
As the starting running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has 55 carries through three games. In those carries, CEH has managed to gain 240 rushing yards and a touchdown. In Week 1, he broke out for 138 yards on the ground. Since then, his yards-per-carry have gone down each game. A very explosive player, it won’t be long before Edwards-Helaire has another big day on the gridiron.
2. Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings
Through the first two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings’ passing offense was a joke. Then in Week 3, Justin Jefferson had a huge game. Tallying seven catches for 175 yards to go with this electric 71-yard touchdown, Jefferson showed why he’s on the way to becoming a star. With 12 receptions and 245 receiving yards through three games, he is a legit NFL Rookie of the Year candidate.
1. Joe Burrow, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Through three weeks, Joe Burrow has been everything the Cincinnati Bengals dreamed of when they selected him first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, it has yet to lead to a win. In Week 3, the Bengals showed some progress with a tie against the Philadelphia Eagles. Individually, Burrow has been exceptional with two 300-yard games and a five-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio. One area the Bengals must improve is protecting their prized investment. The talented signal caller from LSU has already taken a league-high 14 sacks.
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