Saquon Barkley Named 2018 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year over Baker Mayfield

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley scored his first victory over Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield in the 2018 NFL Rookie of the Year battle. 

Barkley tweeted on Thursday he won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award after his stellar debut season:

Even though the Pepsi award is decided solely by fan votes, Barkley's win could bode well for a big weekend of accolades. 

The Pepsi Rookie of the Year winner has lined up with the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year winner eight different times since 2002, including each of the previous two years (Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in 2016, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara in 2017). 

Barkley and Mayfield were arguably the two most impressive first-year players in 2018. The Giants rookie led the NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage and tied for third with 15 total touchdowns. 

The Browns' seven wins tied their most in a season since 2008. Mayfield set an NFL record with 27 touchdown passes as a rookie, in addition to throwing for 3,725 yards and completing 63.8 percent of his passes. 

The Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year will be announced during the NFL Honors show on Saturday from Atlanta's Fox Theatre.