One month down and the NFL Rookie of the Year race is still wide open for 2023. Some surprise names have burst onto the scene and some obvious names have crushed it. Who’s made the cut for the Rookie of the Year (ROY) watch list for the rest of the season?
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NFL Rookie of the Year Watch List October 2023
Front Runners Offensive Rookie of the Year
C.J. Stroud, QB Houston Texans
The rookie passing record is 4,374 yards set by Andrew Luck back in the day. C.J. Stroud is currently on pace for over 5,100 yards in 17 games. Even if you take out the extra game he’s in line to shatter the record. This turnaround for the Texans team is insane, and Stroud is front and center for it. He is currently listed at [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”fbp/nfl_offensive_rookie_of_the_year” query=”nfl/c.j._stroud/player_187863″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”] to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Puka Nacua, WR Los Angeles Rams
Speaking of record-breaking paces, the rookie receiving record is 1,473 yards set by Bill Groman. Puka Nacua isn’t just looking at the rookie receiving record. He is currently on pace for over 2,000 yards (yes that pace will come down when Cooper Kupp returns) which would break the entire NFL record. If he breaks Megatron’s NFL record, Offensive Player of the Year is just as likely as Rookie of the Year. He’s listed at [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”fbp/nfl_offensive_rookie_of_the_year” query=”nfl/puka_nacua/player_187906″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”] for ROY and [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”fbp/nfl_offensive_player_of_the_year” query=”nfl/puka_nacua/player_187906″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”] for POY.
Still in the Hunt
Bijan Robinson, RB Atlanta Falcons
He’s hamstrung by Arthur Smith running an offense from 1984, but Bijan’s talent is unquestionable. He’s still listed as the second favorite on many major betting sites, but if the two aforementioned names break records, he’s out of luck.
Anthony Richardson, QB Indianapolis Colts
Our pre-draft QB1, Richardson is an interesting case. While he’s already missed time with injury, funny enough he’s still on pace to break the NFL’s Quarterback rushing touchdown record (set by Cam Newton his rookie year). Rushing touchdowns aren’t a sticky stat for most players, but a 245-pound QB who runs a 4.4 40 is a threat to house it every play.
De’Von Achane, RB Miami Dolphins
What if there was an NFL player who played in a system that exemplifies speed? And then that player was a literal track star? For anyone who hasn’t seen Achane play yet, he makes fast people look like your least favorite Uncle at the family Turkey Bowl. Achane has outscored more than a couple of NFL teams, and Achane hasn’t even played every game this year.
Achane has scored more touchdowns on 35 touches than entire offenses of the:
Steelers
Bengals
Saints
Jets
PanthersAnd the same amount as the:
Falcons
Titans
Patriots https://t.co/Lx6ogPJEH0— FF Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) October 2, 2023
Front Runners Defensive Rookie of the Year
Jalen Carter, DT Philadelphia Eagles
Carter and the next name on this list were one of six blue chip players on the rookie big board pre-draft. Honestly, Carter should have been in a tier of his own with how he’s performing. He’s a dominant interior pass rusher, a run stuffer, and everything a defensive coach could want out of a DT. He’s listed at [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”fbp/nfl_defensive_rookie_of_the_year” query=”nfl/jalen_carter/player_187805″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”] and is the betting favorite for a reason.
Devon Witherspoon, CB Seattle Seahawks
All it took was one pick-six and Witherspoon is a front runner. Well, actually he’s been a standout for a while now he just didn’t have the super splashy play on national television to back it up. He catapulted his odds up to [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”fbp/nfl_defensive_rookie_of_the_year” query=”nfl/devon_witherspoon/player_187841″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”] after his latest performance, and he’s not going anywhere.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Names to Watch
Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE Los Angeles Chargers
The former second-round pick is on fire to start 2023. Tuli Tuipulotu leads all rookies in sacks through one month with two, and if Khalil Mack wasn’t stealing the show against the Raiders he would have more. If he can keep up this pace, he’s a sneaky bet for ROY.
Will Anderson Jr, EDGE Houston Texans
Two Texans on the same list? Blasphemy. The Texans nailed their selections in 2023, and Will Anderson Jr. makes his impact felt each game. His counting stats aren’t anything too exciting but he’ll get there before the season wraps up.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE Kansas City Chiefs
Another first-round edge rusher who doesn’t have the counting stats yet, Anudike-Uzomah is playing on a limited snap count to start the season. As he gets worked more and more into the defense, he has shown game-altering potential with a forced fumble. Playing for one of the teams with all sorts of national attention certainly helps his case too.
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