With the last Sunday of the regular season fast approaching, it’s time to start previewing the major NFL awards. Let’s start with the candidates for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year:
Offensive Rookie of the Year
WR Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers
Stats: 66 receptions, 957 yards, 14.5 yards/catch, eight touchdowns
Allen has been a favorite target of Philip Rivers throughout the season, and he has been a main contributor in the Chargers’ late run at the playoffs. If he can produce at least 43 yards and two touchdowns in the finale against Kansas City, he will break the 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown milestone, and the honor will likely go to him.
RB Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
Stats: 1,112 yards, 4.2 yards/carry, 10 touchdowns
Wait… the Packers can run the ball now? Even before Aaron Rodgers went down, the rookie out of Alabama was carving out a nice role for himself in the Packers offense. In the absence of Rodgers, Green Bay has relied on Lacy to carry the load and win games. He is a hair behind Allen in the race for the award, but a standout game against Chicago this week could change that.
RB Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams
Stats: 958 yards, 4. 1 yards/carry, seven touchdowns
Stacy has more than made up for the loss of Steven Jackson in the Rams’ backfield, rushing for over 100 yards in four games. The Vanderbilt product came on strong in the season’s second half, racking up seven touchdowns in as many weeks. However, it will be tough for him to break the 1,000-yard mark in Week 17 against a tough Seahawks defense.
RB Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals
Stats: 673 yards, 4.3 yards/carry, five touchdowns
Bernard has emerged as one of the league’s most electric players in his rookie year. In addition to a respectable season on the ground, he has 51 receptions (second most among rookies) for 463 yards and three touchdowns. The Bengals regard Bernard as one of the most important players in their offense.
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
Stats: 48 receptions, 767 yards, 16.0 yard/catch, two touchdowns
In Hopkins, the Texans have finally found a true receiving threat opposite Andre Johnson. While the rookie out of Clemson hasn’t reached the end zone very much, he has provided sure hands and playmaking ability. His 16.0 yards/catch is second among rookies with at least 20 receptions.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
LB Kiko Alonso, Buffalo Bills
Stats: 145 tackles, 2.0 sacks, four interceptions, one fumble forced, two fumbles recovered
Alonso has emerged as the anchor in the Bills’ 8th-ranked defense in his rookie season. His 145 tackles top all rookie defenders, and his four picks rank second. He is reminiscent of Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly.
CB Logan Ryan, New England Patriots
Stats: 30 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, one fumble forced, one touchdown
In the midst of the hospital waiting room that is the New England defense, the rookie out of Rutgers has managed to stay on the field and has been outstanding. While he has been burned several times, he has made up for it by being a turnover machine: his five picks lead all rookies, and he has forced a fumble as well.
DE Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets
Stats: 76 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one fumble forced
The trash-talking Jet doesn’t have the flashy numbers of his peers on this list, but his physical attributes have served him well in his rookie season. He is a force against the run, and causes matchup problems for offensive lines because of his power and speed.
S Eric Reid, San Francisco 49ers
Stats: 67 tackles, four interceptions, two fumbles recovered
When Dashon Goldson jumped ship for the Buccaneers in the offseason, many 49ers faithful feared that the hole in the secondary wouldn’t be filled in 2013. However, Reid has more than made up for the loss of Goldson, and has played better in his rookie year than Goldson has in Tampa Bay this season.
S Kenny Vacaaro, New Orleans Saints
Stats: 79 tackles, 1.0 sack, one interception, one fumble forced
Vacaaro has been a main reason for the recovery and emergence of the New Orleans defense. Before being placed on injured reserve this week, the hard-hitting rookie out of Texas patrolled the Saints defensive backfield like a veteran.
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