NFL Rookie of the Year 2014-15: Predicting Odds for Top Candidates

Earning the NFL's Rookie of the Year honors is a highly coveted feat of all first-year players, but it doesn't guarantee long-term success.

The title has been achieved by such legends as Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Earl Campbell and others. However, it's also been given to the likes of Cadillac Williams, Vince Young, Mike Anderson and more players who never really panned out. Earning the award is one thing, but continuing success is another.

This year, there are plenty of candidates worthy of the title thanks to a very deep and talented draft class. With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, contenders have been whittled down, but one question remains: Who is the front-runner?

Let's take a look at the top candidates on offense and defense, predict their odds to win the title by season's end and delve into their potential to sustain long-term success in the NFL.

Offensive Rookie of the Year Contenders

1. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1 odds)

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Evans has been the most consistent rookie receiver in 2014, and he's achieved that feat on a very bad offense with little help under center. Through Tampa Bay's 13 games this year, he's accumulated 57 receptions for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns and has 19 receptions of 20 yards or more.

Bleacher Report's Ty Schalter summed up the receiver's situation perfectly:

At 6'5", Evans is a big, friendly target for his quarterback, but he's displayed the ability to pick up the playbook and become the team's No. 1 option right out of the gate. He'll easily eclipse 1,000 receiving yards this year and has all of the tools to sustain long-term success on the professional level.

2. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers (4-1 odds)

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Benjamin is in a similar scenario to Evans. He instantly became the team's No. 1 option after being selected in the first round of the draft. Through 13 games, he's caught 59 passes for 848 yards and nine touchdowns, racking up 13 receptions of at least 20 yards.

Throughout the season, Benjamin has been blanketed by opposing top cornerbacks and has flourished much of the time. However, many of his statistics have come in garbage time with the Panthers trailing by large margins and opposing secondaries playing in softer coverage. This 6'5" receiver looks like the real deal, but he still needs to show a bit more consistency.

3. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants (6-1 odds)

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Beckham may be one of the most exciting wide receivers in the league. He quickly burst onto the scene with one of the most ridiculous catches in NFL history. That grab was just one of his 59 receptions for 829 yards and six touchdowns this season. He may have been a lock here, but missing four games this season slowed him out of the gate.

Adding to Beckham's early accolades, the jersey he wore when he made that crazy catch is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News:

Still, Beckham has been on an absolute roll since making his first appearance in October. With an injury to Victory Cruz, he's become the team's No. 1 target and has flourished against the likes of Richard Sherman and other top corners. Beckham may be the NFL's next superstar.

Defensive Rookie of the Year Contenders

1. Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams (3-1 odds)

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

We all knew Donald was an athletic freak coming out of college. Comparisons to Geno Atkins ran rampant across the Web, and they turned out to be quite accurate. The rookie defensive tackle has accumulated 36 combined tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble this season. In fact, he's managed one sack in each of the Rams' last four contests.

Kirk Morrison of Fox Sports appears to like what he's seen from Donald of late:

The 6'1", 285-pound Donald has the skill set to wreak havoc in opposing backfields for years to come. He's an absolute beast and continues to shine against some of the league's more talented offensive lines. Donald is your front-runner for this coveted title.

2. C.J. Mosley, LB, Baltimore Ravens (4-1 odds)

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Mosley has been a revelation on a Ravens defense that really needed to undergo a youth movement. The first-year inside linebacker has done everything for Baltimore this season, accumulating 113 combined tackles, two sacks, 10 passes defensed, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Now, that's impressive.

This rookie has proved he's a keeper for the long haul. His blend of speed, instincts, tackling and ability in coverage makes him an extremely well-rounded defender. If he can continue to step up and propel the Ravens into the postseason, his argument for this award will only get stronger.

3. Kyle Fuller, CB, Chicago Bears (10-1 odds)

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Fuller has been stellar in an otherwise bad Bears secondary. This team suffered a rash of injuries early in the season, and Fuller was forced to step into action. Through 13 games this year, the rookie has accumulated 57 combined tackles, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. It sure looks like he's been learning a thing or two from Charles Tillman.

Fuller is the only rookie with three interceptions this season, and his three forced fumbles also top all first-year players. This cornerback's numbers have trailed off in recent weeks against strong offenses, so he'll need to make something happen to prove his worthiness of his award and his NFL longevity.

All statistics courtesy of NFL.com and current as of December 8. Player odds are the author's projections.