NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Rating the Rookie of the Year Races
It's the middle of the season, and you all know what that means.
It's time to start predicting awards!
I know you're all excited and you all have ideas of your own, especially those that might conflict with what you are about to read, but good for you! That's what this part of the season is all about.
So, here is a breakdown of the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Award races at midseason.
Offense: Honorable Mention Michael Hoomanawanui
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Next to Danny Amendola, Hoomanawanui seems to be one of Sam Bradford's favorite toys.
He has great hands, is very strong and always seems to be there for the clutch throws.
The only thing keeping him down is that he just hasn't had enough opportunities to show his stuff. He is stuck behind Billy Bajema and Daniel Fells on the depth chart, which has kept him to seven catches. But he should still catch some attention by the end of the season.
Offense: No. 5 Brandon LaFell
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It's hard to make a name for yourself when you are living in the shadow of the great Steve Smith, especially when you lack a decent quarterback. But somehow Brandon LaFell has managed it.
He is not in the top three receivers for Carolina in terms of catches, but he is No. 3 in yards with 214, and he is averaging an impressive 14.3 yards per reception.
LaFell is a solid future prospect and is having himself quite a rookie season, despite the state of the Panthers.
Offense: No. 4 Dexter McCluster
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Dexter McCluster is dominating the return game for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's averaging 21.5 yards on kick returns and a whopping 20.9 yards on punt returns, which includes a 94-yard touchdown.
While McCluster may always be nothing more than a return man, he certainly is very good at his job, especially as a rookie. He should continue to do big things for this Kansas City special teams unit.
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Offense: No. 3 Ryan Mathews
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Ryan Mathews is playing very good football. He is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and has posted two touchdowns in five starts.
However, injuries are really hurting Mathews' status. While he has been on the sidelines, backup Mike Tolbert has outshined the rookie, which does not help Mathews much.
The second half of the season is still available for Mathews to make a push for first place in this race, but it is going to take more than he is showing right now.
Offense: No. 2 Aaron Hernandez
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It's been a long time since I was this excited about a player.
Hernandez has the size of a tight end, the speed of a wide receiver and the shiftiness of a running back all in one package.
He is a scary deep threat, and he operates in space very well.
The only reason he may not be in first place right now is simply because he is a tight end on a team that likes to use wide receivers more than anything.
Offense: No. 1 Sam Bradford
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There are times I watch Sam Bradford play when I wonder whether this kid is actually a rookie.
Bradford is playing like a veteran right now, and continues to improve every week despite continuing to lose receivers.
Make no mistake, Sam Bradford is the reason the Rams are where they are right now, and he deserves recognition for it.
Defense: Honorable Mention Eric Berry
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Berry is very good and probably deserves to be in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He likely will be at some point in the very near future.
He is playing very well as a strong safety for Kansas City, but he does betray some signs of rookie behavior at times, and that is what is keeping him out of the Top Five for me right now.
Defense: No. 5 Brandon Spikes
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While Spikes hasn't posted a huge number of sacks or interceptions, the sort of numbers that typically attract attention, he has been a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the Patriots linebackers.
He hits hard, has good vision and great lateral movement, and he makes big plays when necessary. He is a huge help to a struggling Patriots defense, and should only get better with time.
Defense: No. 4 Gerald McCoy
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Despite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being ranked 30th against the run, Gerald McCoy should feel good about the way he is playing right now.
He is getting in the backfield, drawing double teams and generally doing everything you would ask of a defensive tackle.
Considering that he is stepping up like this as a rookie, he truly seems like something special. While he may not win Defensive Rookie of the Year, there is no reason why Tampa Bay should be discouraged. McCoy will become a great player.
Defense: No. 3 Rolando McClain
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An argument can be made here that Rolando McClain should be ranked higher, and I don't blame you, Raider Nation. McClain is good. Very good.
McClain has the middle of the field more or less locked down for the Oakland Raiders. He has played a big part in the recent success of the Oakland Raiders, both against the run and the pass.
If he continues to play the way he is playing right now, he may very well walk away with the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award at the end of the season.
Defense: No. 2 Earl Thomas
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Earl Thomas is doing big things for the Seattle Seahawks.
With four interceptions and 35 tackles in seven games, Thomas is a dominant force in the Seahawks' struggling defense, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
He has excellent field sense, a necessity for free safeties, and he is a sure tackler.
Earl Thomas could easily be No. 1, but it may take a few more big plays out of him to get everyone convinced.
Defense: No. 1 Ndamukong Suh
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Twenty tackles.
Six and-a-half sacks.
One interception.
One fumble recovery.
One touchdown.
Is this guy a defensive tackle or an inside linebacker?
Suh has more than answered the questions thrown around before the draft about first-round defensive tackles.
The Detroit Lions have something special here. Suh will only get better and better as time goes on, and he should run away with this award should he continue at the pace he is on right now. The simple fact is, defensive tackles are not supposed to be able to put up the kind of numbers Suh is putting up right now.
Questions? Comments? Concerns?
13 of 13I want to hear your comments, so go ahead, go crazy.
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