Ranking the Last 7 PFWA NFL Rookies of the Year

The height of the individual's performance varies, but the NFL Rookie of the Year consistently hits an elite level.

During the 2021 campaign, for example, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons was a first-team All-Pro selection. He's the latest rookie to immediately stand out as one of the best—and/or most productive—players in the league.

And, hey, let's rank 'em.

The AP honors are the awards of record, and it chooses both an offensive and defensive player. Meanwhile, the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) have an overall Rookie of the Year. We're using the latter award and reviewing the last seven winners, subjectively ordering them based on total production and efficiency.

7. Baker Mayfield (2018)

Baker Mayfield | Rob Carr/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws the ball in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The lone No. 1 overall pick of this group, Baker Mayfield landed the PFWA nod over New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

Mayfield made a nice impact for the Cleveland Browns, who had endured a winless season in 2017 after a 1-15 year in 2016. Any sort of stability at the QB position was a welcomed sign for the long-frustrated franchise.

During his 13 starts, the Oklahoma product notched a 6-7 record that included four game-winning drives. Mayfield threw for 3,725 yards—with, to date, a career-best 7.7 yards per attempt—and 27 touchdowns, though his 2.9 interception rate ranked 25th in the league.

Mayfield's tenure ended unceremoniously, but he was a notable part of Cleveland snapping its 17-season postseason drought in 2020.

6. Todd Gurley (2015)

Todd Gurley | Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 13: Todd Gurley #30 of the St. Louis Rams rushes against the Detroit Lions at the Edward Jones Dome on December 13, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Thinking about Todd Gurley's debut campaign feels like a major throwback. As a rookie in 2015, he played for the St. Louis Rams. The franchise moved back to Los Angeles during the ensuing offseason.

Gurley, who carried some risk after tearing his left ACL at Georgia, silenced his doubters with an encouraging year.

After missing the first two contests and barely playing in the third, Gurley had a breakout stretch. He rushed for 128-plus yards in four straight games and also notched a five-game touchdown streak from Weeks 7-11.

Gurley finished the season with 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, also grabbing 21 passes for 188 yards.

5. Kareem Hunt (2017)

Kareem Hunt | Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks away for a first quarter touchdown run against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

After an immensely productive college career at Toledo, Kareem Hunt headed to the Kansas City Chiefs as a third-round pick in 2017.

Hunt immediately took the starting role, providing the Chiefs with a versatile option out of the backfield. He rushed for an NFL-high 1,327 yards at 4.9 per carry—the fourth-best mark in the league—adding 53 receptions for 455 yards and 11 total touchdowns.

Though a Pro Bowl nod has slowly minimized in importance, Hunt was an original (not a replacement) selection for the showcase.

Kansas City released him in 2018 after he was seen on video shoving and kicking a woman. He then signed with Cleveland.

4. Justin Herbert (2020)

Justin Herbert | Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a play call from the back field in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

During the 2020 NFL draft, the big debate was whether the Miami Dolphins would select Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon's Justin Herbert. Miami went with Tagovailoa.

And the Los Angeles Chargers sure aren't mad about it.

Stepping in for longtime QB Philip Rivers—who signed with the Indianapolis Colts—Herbert reinvigorated the Los Angeles offense. He tallied 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns through the air, tossing just 10 interceptions (1.7 percent rate). He also showed off his mobility with 234 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Although the Chargers' improvement in the win column wasn't substantial (from 5-11 in Rivers' final season to 7-9 in 2020), Herbert's impact on the franchise was unmistakable.

3. Micah Parsons (2021)

Micah Parsons | Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 21: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys strips the ball from Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Cowboys recovered the fumbled ball. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

To put it mildly, Micah Parsons had a ridiculous debut season.

The hybrid edge-rusher/linebacker finished second in AP Defensive Player of the Year voting! It was a foregone conclusion that he'd take home AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, which he did unanimously.

Parsons gathered 84 total tackles (20 for loss) and ranked sixth in the NFL with 13 sacks. He recorded 47 pressures and 30 quarterback hits, chipping in three forced fumbles and three pass breakups for the NFC East-winning Dallas Cowboys.

As a result, Parsons joined the small list of rookies to garner first-team AP All-Pro recognition.

2. Nick Bosa (2019)

Nick Bosa | Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to rush past Jake Matthews #70 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Nick Bosa waltzed to the honor in 2019.

Bosa provided nine sacks with 45 pressures and 25 quarterback hits, and the 49ers not-so-coincidentally became one of the league's stingiest units in yards allowed per play and scoring defense. He collected 47 total tackles, including 16 for loss, recovered two fumbles (forcing one) and even grabbed an interception.

During the postseason, Bosa racked up 11 tackles with four sacks and a forced fumble as the 49ers won the NFC. They ultimately fell to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

Bosa also landed the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, which his brother Joey had earned three years earlier.

1. Ezekiel Elliott (2016)

Ezekiel Elliott | Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs for a touchdown as teammate Dez Bryant #88 celebrates as the Cowboys play the Detroit Lions during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

In 2016, the Cowboys underwent a franchise-shifting year. Dallas chose Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 pick of the draft, and Tony Romo's preseason injury kick-started the Dak Prescott era.

By the end of the season, the future had taken form.

Prescott won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Elliott was in the running for a ton of accolades. Elliott finished second to Prescott for AP Offensive ROY, tied for third in MVP voting and was a first-team All-Pro.

Along with his NFL-high 1,631 rushing yards, Elliott ranked fifth in yards per carry (5.1). He finished second in yards from scrimmage (1,994) and third in total touchdowns (16).