NFL Midseason Report: Candidates for Rookie of the Year

After the NFL draft in April, all of the experts made their predictions on who they believed were the best fits for their teams and who would have the best season.

It is a difficult transition from college to the NFL. Not every player gets the same opportunity to start his career off well.

So far this season, there have been many surprises and rookies having good years with their respective teams.

In this article, I will discuss who I think are some sleepers and candidates for the offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year awards. Ultimately I will reveal who I believe really deserves those awards.

Defensive Sleepers

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Cornerback Alterraun Verner #20 of the Tennessee Titans returns his intercepton to the one yard line in front of tight end Martellus Bennett #80 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

Cody Grimm, FS, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cody Grimm was drafted by the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the draft this year. He has been one of many rookies contributing to Tampa’s good start to the season.

Grimm might be a long shot right now to win, but he is sixth among rookies in tackles with 42 and is tied for third with two interceptions.

Alterraun Verner, CB, Tennessee Titans

Drafted in the fourth round of the draft, Alterraun Verner has had a nice start to his rookie season, with two interceptions and ranking ninth in tackles for rookies with 37.

Verner has done a good job at the corner spot for the Titans and I wouldn’t bet against him catching a few more interceptions before the end of this season.

Candidate

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KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 27: Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs is stopped by Nate Allen #29 and Ernie Sims #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles during a preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 27, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by G.

Nate Allen, FS, Philadelphia Eagles

Nate Allen started off the season great, with three interceptions in his first four games. However, he has not had an interception since Week 4.

He is eleventh among rookies in tackles with 34 and he has nine pass defenses to go along with those three interceptions.

Allen even has a sack this year. However, again that came within the first four games of the season.

I think Nate Allen, when all is said and done, will continue to be consistent and will be right there in interceptions and tackles at the end of the year.

Candidate

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CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 03: Defenders T.J. Ward #43 and Eric Wright #21 of the Cleveland Browns break up a pass to wide receiver Jordan Shipley #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt S

T.J. Ward, SS, Cleveland Browns

T.J. Ward has quickly become a fan favorite in Cleveland for the big hitting that he brings to the Browns.

In fact, Ward is first among rookies in tackles by twenty, with 67, and he is 13th in the entire NFL as well.

For me, I would like to see Ward accumulate some interceptions or a sack, something other than just tackles.

He will be in this conversation based on the attitude that he brings to the Browns more than anything, in my opinion.

Candidate

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks returns an interception against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 27-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty I

Earl Thomas, FS, Seattle Seahawks

Earl Thomas has been one of the best rookie defenders in my opinion. He is tied for third in the NFL with four interceptions.

Two of those interceptions came against Phillip Rivers, who is having maybe the best season of his career.

To go along with those interceptions, Thomas is also eighth among rookies in tackles with 39 and he has nine pass defenses.

Thomas has the opportunity to not only lead all rookies in interceptions, but the entire NFL, if he continues to play the way he has so far.

Candidate

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: Safety Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball after making an interception during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jam

Eric Berry, SS, Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Berry was my favorite defensive back going into the draft in April. He has done nothing but impress to this point in the season.

Early in the season he was a tackling machine and he is currently fourth among rookies with 45 tackles. He also has two interceptions in the last three weeks.

He also has six pass defenses and he has been one of the most versatile defenders in the league with two sacks.

Berry is one of the main reasons the Chiefs have been as good as they have this season. I see him going nowhere but up for the rest of the season.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants is sacked by Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions

There really should not be any argument to this as no one has been more dominant as a rookie than Ndamukong Suh.

Forget about just rookies, Suh has been one of the best defensive lineman in the entire NFL and he sets a tone for the Lions that they have not had in a while.

His missed extra point aside, Suh is 13th among rookies in tackles with 30.

He is near the top of the league in sacks with 6.5 and he had that fumble recovery for a touchdown that sealed the game against the Redskins.

Suh has been nothing short of dominant for the Lions and he even has an interception against the Rams just to throw on top of everything else he’s done.

Ndamukong Suh deserves the Defensive Rookie of the Year and I really can’t see anyone else taking it from him.

Offensive Sleepers

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns throws to a receiver against the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

LeGarrette Blount RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LeGarrette Blount is currently fourth amongst rookie running backs in rushing with 268 yards and he is second in touchdowns with three.

Blount is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and, if he finishes up the season on the run that he’s on, he could put himself in the running for Rookie of the Year.

Colt McCoy, QB, Cleveland Browns

Colt McCoy has only made three NFL starts at this point in his rookie season and he is 2-1 with 529 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a 67-percent completion percentage.

McCoy’s numbers many not be gaudy right now. However, he has looked good against some of the best teams in the NFL, totaling 281 yards against the Steelers and beating the Saints and Patriots. If he can just keep winning, McCoy might just win this award.

Candidate

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass for a touchdown as Lito Sheppard #29 of the Minnesota Vikings misses the tackle during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapo

Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Dez Bryant was an early favorite for this award when he was drafted by the Cowboys and he had a great few weeks of training camp.

Bryant is currently second among rookies in receptions with 38, third in receiving yards with 435 and second in touchdowns with four.

Showing his explosiveness, Bryant is also fifth in the entire league in punt return yardage and tied for first with two touchdowns.

Bryant has been one of the lone bright spots for the Dallas Cowboys. Look for him to be a bigger part of the offense and to see what he’s got now that the season is lost.

Candidate

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Mike Williams #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulls in this reception against Brent Grimes #20 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mike Williams, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Williams has been one of the biggest reasons that the Buccaneers have been as good as they have this season.

Williams is 12th in the entire NFL and first among rookies in receiving yards with 559. He is also first among rookies in touchdowns with five.

Coming out of Syracuse, Williams was questioned because of off-the-field problems which forced him to miss the majority of two seasons.

With Tampa Bay, Williams has been quarterback Josh Freeman’s favorite target and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

Candidate

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions looks for running room after getting past Craig Dahl #43 of the St. Louis Rams on October 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions

I had doubts about Jahvid Best coming out of college, especially after seeing that concussion he sustained against Oregon State.

Best has been dealing with some nagging injuries in his rookie season, but he has been very productive both in the rushing and receiving game.

Jahvid is third among rookies with 345 rushing yards and first with four touchdowns. He is also first in receptions with 41, along with being fifth in receiving yards with 356.

Jahvid Best has been one of the most versatile players in the NFL. Even though the Lions may still be a couple years away, if Best stays healthy, he will be right there for this award.

Candidate

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks for an open receiver against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams

When Sam Bradford was selected No. 1 overall in April’s draft, people had questions about his shoulder and whether he would hold up in an NFL season.

So far, Bradford has excelled in my opinion and he currently has the St. Louis Rams in first place in the NFC West at 4-4.

Bradford has thrown a touchdown in every game except for one this season and he has not thrown an interception since Week 5 against Detroit.

Even though Bradford lost both leading receivers Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton for the season, he seems to not skip a beat and just continues to develop.

Being the No.1 overall pick brings a ton of expectations and Bradford is exceeding them at this point in his career.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

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DENVER - AUGUST 29: Center Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches from the sidelines against the Denver Broncos during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the St

Maurkice Pouncey

I really don’t think this has a shot of happening. However, it really should happen.

Maurkice Pouncey was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 18th overall pick in the draft. Most people thought he would have to play guard his first season because center was just too hard for a rookie to play in the NFL.

Pouncey then came into training camp and quickly showed that it was his job and he has not let go of it all season.

Center is the hardest position on the offensive line and it is one of the hardest positions to play in the NFL. You don’t just have to know what you’re doing, you have to know what everyone is doing as well.

Pouncey is the one who has to make all the line calls and make sure everyone knows who they are blocking. Then to top it off, he has been the best blocker out there for the Steelers.

He has had to deal with everyone around him falling to injury and three different quarterbacks this season.

For what Maurkice Pouncey has done for the Steelers, he deserves to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.