NFL Rookie of the Year Predictions: Top 3 Candidates for Offense and Defense

The following six players are the top candidates for the NFL's Rookie of the Year on both offense and defense. 

NFL OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1. Cam Newton, Panthers

Newton is a shoo-in for this award despite a late push for Dalton based on the two team's win-loss record. When you add up all the stats, including 14 rushing touchdowns and almost 5,000 combined yards, this vote has to be a landslide for Newton. The No. 1 pick put together one of the best rookie seasons for a quarterback ever.

2. Andy Dalton, Bengals

The numbers (almost 3,400 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 80.4 passer rating) weren't gaudy like Newton's, but Dalton did enough as a rookie to lead a 4-12 team in 2010 to nine wins and a playoff spot this season. The future in Cincinnati looks bright if Dalton can continue progressing.  

3. A.J. Green, Bengals

The Bengals' first-round pick helped ease Dalton in at quarterback by giving him a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Green caught 65 passes for 1,067 yards and seven scores in his rookie year. Just as many projected, Green was the best receiver from the 2011 draft.

NFL DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

1. Aldon Smith, 49ers

It's so tight between Smith and Miller, but I give Smith the slight edge because of the sack numbers (14.0 to 11.5) and the fact that Smith played an ever-increasing role on one of the NFL's best defenses. 

2. Von Miller, Broncos

Miller played more snaps and likely had a bigger impact than Smith, who early on only played on obvious passing downs as an edge rusher. Still, Miller's impact tailed off towards the end of the season as he dealt with injuries. Smith heated up at the right time, and I think that memory lingers with voters.

3. Patrick Peterson, Cardinals

Was Peterson an accomplished cornerback in his first year? Not exactly. But his impact was felt hugely on special teams, and for that Peterson deserves a spot on this list. No returner outside of Devin Hester was a bigger weapon in 2011 than Peterson.