Last season New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year, which didn’t shock anyone. This season all eyes will be on quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, who were the top two picks in this year’s draft. But who will take home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for the 2015 season?
2015 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Prediction
Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers
From 2004-12 a quarterback has won Rookie of the Year honors six out of a possible nine times, so most people will want to predict either Winston or Mariota as the 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year. But keep in mind that the position of running back has claimed more ROY awards (32) than any other position and, with running back Eddie Lacy winning it in 2013, and Beckham Jr. taking home the honor last season, a non-quarterback has won the award the last two seasons. It may be a passing league, but I don’t think Winston or Mariota are in situations that set them up to become the Rookie of the Year. I’m going with the talented, durable running back, who is in a good situation.
Melvin Gordon was extremely effective while at Wisconsin, and he ran for 2,587 yards last season while finding the end zone 29 times. Gordon has size (6-foot-1, 215 pounds), speed, quickness and agility, and that combination makes him extremely dangerous every time he carries the football. The talented running back has also shown he can stay on the field, having played in every game of his final three seasons at Wisconsin.
The Chargers traded with the 49ers to move up in the draft so they could select Gordon at No. 15. The former Badger is set to be the guy in the backfield in San Diego, and he will start from day one. Gordon has also walked into a pretty good situation, with a talented quarterback in Philip Rivers, and a good offensive line.
St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley certainly has the talent to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he is coming off of a torn ACL. The former Georgia running back will be a game changer if he stays healthy, and wide receivers Amari Cooper (Oakland Raiders) and Kevin White (Chicago Bears) certainly have the talent to earn Offensive ROY honors. But Cooper and White are not in the best situations, and I have to go with the running back who has proven he can stay on the field, who is not coming off an injury and who is in the best situation. Gordon should be the odds on favorite to be the 2015 Offensive ROY.
Be sure to check back for my Defensive Rookie of the Year prediction.
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