C.J. Stroud got into the driver’s seat then set it to cruise control on his way to the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2023, making himself the first quarterback to win the coveted hardware since Justin Herbert in 2020.
The year before, in one of the closest races, with one of the most obscure finishes in NFL history, Jets wideout Garrett Wilson won Offensive Rookie of the Year over Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker in 2022 despite the Seattle ball-carrier receiving more first-place votes than the Gang Green pass-catcher.
Either way, both were the most dynamic first-year pros that season.
Let’s rank the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2024 season.
Before I begin, I felt compelled to make the proclamation that I’ve smartened up with these rankings. Only five of the last 22 Offensive Rookie of the Year winners were not picked in the first round of the draft. It’s been six consecutive years in which the OROY was a first-round pick. Before that, Alvin Kamara and Dak Prescott — who were selected in third and fourth rounds, respectively — took home the trophy in back-to-back seasons (2016 and 2017). Also, neither an offensive lineman nor a tight end has ever won the award.
I have this theory that after the past four years being justifiably centered around Stefon Diggs, the Bills’ new offensive plan — particularly through the air — is a three-headed WR2 monster and Dalton Kincaid.
And, of course, they hope and expect Coleman to be part of said WR2 trio — alongside Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel — that’ll disallow defenses from zeroing in on one central pass-catching figure.
While I wasn’t high on Coleman during the pre-draft process, I can’t ignore who will be throwing him the football. Allen is as aggressive as any passer in football with otherworldly arm talent. Coleman better be ready for back-shoulder rockets in his direction, particularly…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-the-2024-nfl-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-candidates-receivers-galore-two-quarterbacks-in-top-3/
Author : Chris Trapasso
Publish date : 2024-05-29 15:14:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.