Cincinnati 2013: Who Wins Bengals Rookie of the Year?

The Cincinnati Bengals open their season at the Georgia Dome against the Chicago Bears on September 8th and there are a handful of rookies that will contribute when that day comes. Speculation has already landed rookie running back Giovani Bernard in the conversation for offensive Rookie of the Year in the whole NFL, not just in Cincy.

But specifically to the Bengals, who can we predict to be the most productive youngster? Last year, in 2012, Vontaze Burfict burst onto the scene and quickly rectified that he went undrafted. Let's take what we learned from Tez and apply it to this year's class.

In 2013, a handful of rookies have shown significant promise in the first few OTAs as well, and as the summer workouts vamp up, newcomers are looking to make an immediate impression. Here is a look at the rookies making an extremely early claim at Bengals Rookie of the Year. 

Tyler Eifert

First-rounder Tyler Eifert is obviously in the conversation. Eifert lined up opposite Pro Bowl Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham several times during OTAs causing matchup nightmares in the secondary. Eifert's presence alone opened up WR A.J. Green for a touchdown during a seven-on-seven period (Bengals.com). 

"If we were in three-receiver sets, the safety would have been coming over the top of me," Green said. "But I was one-on-one."

Eifert's numbers may not be staggering in 2013 simply because he'll share the middle of the field catches with tight end Jermaine Gresham and whoever wins the slot receiver spot (Andrew Hawkins, Cobi Hamilton, Mohamed Sanu). Eifert's impact on defenses is astronomical as Green mentioned. Occupying safeties alone will open up other receivers, so while his stats may not be as impressive, his impact on opposing defense's strategies will be.

Shawn Williams

Safety and third-round pick Shawn Williams is another candidate for Bengals Rookie of the Year. Williams has arguably the most amount of pressure of all rookies after Eifert. Williams inherited the starting role in Cincinnati and a lot is riding on his success (Bengals.com).

Williams picked up the terminology and schemes very well according to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, reassuring that "if he can't [understand the X's and O's] we're in trouble" (Bengals.com). Zimmer has confidence in Williams' physical abilities as well. 

"He's got the ability to cover. He's got to work on his technique some," Zimmer said after a rookie mini camp practice. "If he just gets his body position in good shape he should be good."

Williams is a viable candidate for Bengals ROY because his contributions are actually needed the most urgently of all rookies and at this point, he's the only rookie with a legitimate chance to start 16 games this year (Eifert will compete with Gresham and Bernard will compete with Green-Ellis).

Tanner Hawkinson

Offensive linemen almost never receive these types of awards and chances are that Tanner Hawkinson won't either, however, that doesn't mean that his contribution to the team won't still supersede the other rookies on the roster.

Already, Hawkinson has found himself in foreign territory, being asked to play interior lineman positions in conjunction with the tackle position that he's used to. 

"There's still a learning curve at guard, but I think I'm picking up the plays pretty well," Hawkinson told Bengals.com editor Geoff Hobson. And he wasn't lying. Assistant offensive line coach Kyle Caskey confirmed that Hawkinson is picking up the offense very quickly. 

"The thing about Hawkinson is that he's got really good feet and he's smart. I don't know if he's had a mental mistake. If he has, they've been minimal"(Bengals.com).

Hawkinson's versatility could prove to be a huge asset for the Bengals as he's learning the whole left side of the line; he played four different positions at rookie mini camp. He can back up any position other than center.

Hawkinson's numbers won't qualify him for Bengals ROY but his intangible impact on the field very much could. 

Giovani Bernard

Almost immediately after arriving in Cincinnati, Giovani Bernard knew he'd have the chance to play as a Bengal. No negative reports have surfaced about him yet and that's encouraging news for Bengals fans as head coach Marvin Lewis has big plans for him. 

"It’s obviously evident that both Tyler (Eifert) and Giovani (Bernard) will be able to help us offensively and have an opportunity to carve out roles and niches early on in their rookie seasons," Lewis said in his opening comments following the first day of rookie minicamp.

Running backs coach Hue Jackson was just as amazed by Bernard the first time he watched him workout, "Not that I didn't know he had ability, but watching him in person, you get to see a guy in a whole different light. He has extremely quick feet, has really good hands, is very smart, and catches on extremely well. He's just another good player for our room" (Bengals.com).

Bernard has the opportunity to have an Alfred Morris-like season this year, although Morris' accomplishments were overshadowed by the aura of RGIII. I digress.

Nonetheless, Bernard's natural abilities in conjunction with the weapons and schemes in Cincinnati make a strong case for Gio to deserve the Bengals ROY at the end of the season.

Other Rookies

Cincinnati drafted six other players and picked up a few more in free agency. Obviously everyone can't be included in this list. To make a case that another rookie will win Bengals ROY - leave a comment with why. 

Other Rookies:

WR Cobi Hamilton

RB Rex Burkhead

LB Sean Porter

DE Margus Hunt

OT Reid Fragel

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