Updated NFL Rookie of the Year Rankings Heading into Preseason Week 3

The NFL Rookie of the Year award is split up into defensive and offensive categories. However, this article focuses on determining who's the top overall rookie. This means there's a mix of offensive and defensive players on the list.

In order for someone to earn this award, they must have an opportunity to see the field and play at a high level. In today's NFL, it's a regular occurrence to see a rookie play a major role during his first season. For example, this season we could see as many as five rookie quarterbacks begin the year as starters.

However, starting doesn't guarantee success. There will be plenty of rookies that earn a starting role but fail to have a highly successful season. This is what separates the contenders for the award from the average rookies.

No. 10 Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns

Preseason Stats: None

Heading into training camp, Trent Richardson was one of the odds-on favorites to win the award. Because of minor knee surgery, his chances have been diminished.

The biggest thing to know now is how he is going to recover. Playing running back in the NFL is a physically demanding job. These players take a lot of hits that cause wear and tear on the body.

However, Richardson is still a tremendous player with the ability to make a major impact this season. The Cleveland Browns made him the No. 3 overall pick because they planned on making him the focal point of their offense. This means, if healthy, Richardson will get a ton of touches this season.

So while the injury decreases his odds, it doesn't completely take him out of the running. It's completely possible that he returns fully healthy and plays a full season. If that's the case, Richardson will absolutely be in the running for the Rookie of the Year.

No. 9 David Wilson, New York Giants

Preseason Stats: 15 carries, 69 rushing yards, two receptions and 26 receiving yards

David Wilson has been one of the many bright spots for the New York Giants so far this preseason. He has shown great explosiveness and big-play potential. Because of the injury issues of Ahmad Bradshaw, Wilson could find himself with a greater role than expected.

Bradshaw's injury history includes issues with his feet, ankles and the hand injury suffered this weekend. Selecting Wilson in the first round shows the Giants had some concern about the long-term durability of Bradshaw. These two backs share similar skills, so it's not a stretch to see Wilson as Bradshaw's replacement.

While Eli Manning is the leader of the offense, the running game also plays an important role. The New York Giants want to establish a strong running game and use play-action as a major part of their passing attack. This means that Wilson can expect to see plenty of touches this season.

Even if Bradshaw is healthy, Wilson will get opportunities to make an impact.

No. 8 Melvin Ingram, San Diego Chargers

Preseason Stats: five tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits

Melvin Ingram has been one of the more explosive rookies this preseason. The San Diego Chargers are using Ingram's versatility to line him up in several spots on the field, which has helped him generate a ton of pressure on the quarterback.

The ability to use both a power and speed move makes Ingram difficult to block. He's done a good job mixing up his rush moves and keeping the offensive line off-balance. Ingram is such a tenacious defender that he'll make plays based on effort alone.

It's not out of the question for Ingram to top the double-digit sack mark. The fact that he's going to see a lot of time at linebacker also means he could tally a few interceptions and a high tackle total, too.

No. 7 Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

Preseason Stats: seven receptions for 97 receiving yards

So far this preseason, Alshon Jeffery is showing that the talk surrounding his lack of conditioning and effort was overblown. The young wide receiver is working hard and earning the praise of his coaching staff. He's on the way to earning a major role in the Chicago Bears offense.

Chicago is searching for someone to emerge as a playmaker opposite Brandon Marshall. Earl Bennett, Devin Hester and Jeffery are all in the running for the job. Whoever seizes this opportunity will have a ton of favorable matchups because of Marshall's presence. Opposing defenses know how dangerous Marshall is and will rotate coverage to his side of the field.

Jeffery also has Jay Cutler throwing him the football. At this point, Cutler looks primed for a very successful season, which bodes well for his receivers. He has Mike Tice and Jeremy Bates running the offense, Brandon Marshall catching passes and the freedom to provide input in the game plan.

No. 6 Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Stats: 22-of-43, 279 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception, eight carries and 92 rushing yards

Russell Wilson's impressive preseason has earned him the right to start this weekend's game. It doesn't mean he has been named the starter for the regular season, but a strong performance this weekend will go a long way. He's been absolutely tremendous moving the chains and providing explosive plays.

Wilson is showing that his size isn't a factor in his ability to locate open targets. This is a football player that just knows how to play the quarterback position.

Being named the starter will put Wilson in the running for the Rookie of the Year award. However, he'll need to outperform other highly-touted rookie quarterbacks such as Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Unfortunately for Wilson, both those quarterbacks have also looked great and have better supporting casts.

Wilson will be throwing to the likes of Terrell Owens, Doug Baldwin and maybe Sidney Rice. The other top rookie quarterbacks have players like Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Santana Moss.

No. 5 Quinton Coples, New York Jets

Preseason Stats: eight tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits

Quinton Coples has flashed his tremendous potential as a pass-rusher in the first two games of the preseason. He's used both power and speed moves to work his way into backfield.

Coples appears dedicated to showing everyone that passed on him in the draft that they made a major mistake.

Leading up to the draft, there were a lot of concerns about Coples' effort and desire to play the game. However, there was also talk that those concerns were overstated. When I evaluated Coples for the draft, I noticed that he faced a lot of double- and even triple-teams. This had as much to do with his limited production as the perceived lack of effort.

The New York Jets don't have a ton of good pass-rush options, so they are relying on Coples to get the job done. This has a lot to do with the Jets' decision to utilize more 4-3 sets. Coples' skill set best fits that scheme. The more time he spends in that alignment, the better chance he has of topping the double-digit sack mark.

No. 4 Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars

Preseason Stats: four receptions, 48 receiving yards and one touchdown

Despite all the negativity surrounding Justin Blackmon this offseason, there's plenty to be hopeful about. Blackmon is a true playmaker with the potential to make a major impact this season. His performance in his first preseason game has already washed away some of the bad vibes from his holdout and DUI arrest.

It's obvious that Blackmon has already developed a good relationship with quarterback Blaine Gabbert. This is important for the entire Jacksonville Jaguars franchise, as they need Gabbert to develop in order to avoid a lengthy rebuilding process. The best way for a franchise to help a young quarterback is to surround him with playmakers.

Blackmon is a touchdown machine, as he proved with the 40 he tallied during his college career. The one thing that draws attention is his ability to get the ball in the end zone. Based on this fact alone, Blackmon has an excellent shot at being the Rookie of the Year.

No. 3 Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

Preseason Stats: 9-of-14, 119 passing yards and one touchdown

Robert Griffin III will provide the Washington Redskins with a lot of amazing plays this season. He's got such top-end talent that it's impossible for him to not make an impact. Griffin is an aggressive football player who loves to attack deep down the field. This, combined with the addition of Pierre Garcon, means we can expect plenty of explosive plays in Washington.

Griffin isn't just a big-play machine, as he also does a good job running the offense. His accuracy and ball placement allows his wide receivers to work the underneath routes and pick up yards after the catch.

There will be some growing pains for Griffin this season. However, he'll be in the running for the Rookie of the Year based on talent alone. It also doesn't hurt that he's in a situation where he'll get plenty of opportunities to make plays.

No. 2 Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers

Preseason Stats: seven tackles and one pass breakup

Luke Kuechly's instincts and athletic ability are going to put him in position to make a lot of impact plays for the Carolina Panthers. He has impressed everyone that has seen him perform, including Jordan Gross, who stated:

"

He’s got a nose for the ball and he throws his body around, and that’s what you want out of a linebacker. One thing that stands out is that when he blitzes, he rushes the passer, he doesn’t just blitz and stop if a lineman picks him up. He’s got moves, and his effort is good. If you get your hands on him, he wants to get off there and make a play. He doesn’t really act like a rookie at all.

"

Playing linebacker for head coach Ron Rivera means that you have support from the top. Rivera knows what it takes to succeed in the NFL at this position. His experience likely played a major role in the Panthers' decision to draft Kuechly.

Don't rule out the possibility that Kuechly tops the 100-tackle mark and adds around five sacks to go with an interception or two. Those type of numbers are absolutely worthy of winning Kuechly the Rookie of the Year award.

No. 1 Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

Preseason Stats: 26-of-41, 363 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions

So far this preseason, Andrew Luck has equaled—to some, even surpassed—expectations. He's shown great decision making, a strong arm and poise. These are all the qualities the Indianapolis Colts expected when they made Luck the No. 1 overall pick.

Expectations are high, but there's no reason to expect Luck to fail.

Luck has been so impressive that Ron Jaworski stated on SportsCenter that he feels Luck can be a "top 10 quarterback this season." When you look at Luck, you see a quarterback that just knows the game of football.

He doesn't show the typical signs of a rookie, and this is why Luck is the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year.