2011 NFL Predictions: Who Will Be Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year?

Just days away from the first kickoff of the 2011 NFL season, it seems like as good a time as any to predict how the rookies will end up.

With the lockout in the offseason, the draft managed to draw a lot of attention. The defensive rookies seem stacked, and the award could go to a number of people.

If the preseason is any indication though, the offensive rookie of the year could be relatively unimpressive. The front-runners all seem to be backups or in position battles, and the injuries have decimated the chances for many of the offensive and defensive front-runners.

So who will follow the performances of St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford and Detroit Lions big man Ndamukong Suh? Let's take a look at the top prospects for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2011 NFL season.

Offensive Candidate: Julio Jones, WR (Atlanta Falcons)

While Julio Jones will be lining up as the second wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, his chances are greatly increased if he can put up solid numbers and Atlanta can make it deep into the playoffs.

Jones was an incredible talent at the college level for Alabama. He is a vertical threat who can make plays with his hands and running after the catch.

On many other NFL squads Jones would certainly be a No. 1 receiver. He will no doubt take pressure off Atlanta's No. 1, Roddy White, and open up the passing game even further for Matt Ryan. If the Falcons' offense can be as explosive in the 2011 season as they are on paper, Jones could be a front-runner for Rookie of the Year.

Fantasy owners can expect a modest season at best: 50-60 receptions, 550-600 yards, 5-7 touchdowns. But if Jones can play a role in getting this team to the NFC Championship Game or even the Super Bowl, he can win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Offensive Candidate: Mark Ingram, RB (New Orleans Saints)

Ingram is another rookie with a strong chance to make an impact and run for the Rookie of the Year award, but could see rather humble fantasy impact.

Ingram is entering an already-crowded New Orleans backfield and will likely be splitting time with Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and possibly Chris Ivory. I don't believe it is out of the question to see Ingram end the year with the most touches and yards of any Saints running back, but that doesn't mean he'll blow up the stat line.

Like Julio Jones, Ingram's chances at the Rookie of the Year award will be based highly on how far into the playoffs the Saints can make it. If Ingram lives up to his college prestige, then he could be a front-runner for the offensive honor.

Offensive Candidate: Lance Kendricks, TE (St. Louis Rams)

Yeah, I'm going to list a tight end—a tight end taken in the middle of the second round.

But he could absolutely thrive in the new St. Louis Rams offense.

Quarterback Sam Bradford, who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award last season, is now commanding a Josh McDaniels pass-happy offense. We all saw Kyle Orton's fantasy run last year, and the Rams could witness the same thing.

Kendricks had little name recognition before the preseason, but received a lot of action and made quite a fantasy football stir. He had touchdowns in three of his four preseason games, 11 catches and 155 yards. With stats like that, a 60-reception, 700-yard, 8-10 touchdown rookie campaign is not out of the question.

And if the Rams can fight off the rest of the NFC West and win a playoff spot, Kendricks could make waves as the first tight end to ever win the award of Rookie of the Year.

Offensive Dark-Horse Candidates

Andy Dalton, QB (Cincinnati Bengals)

If there is any offensive surge on the Bengals, Dalton will likely take more of the credit than fellow rookie A.J. Green. If there is a significant connection between the two, expect Dalton to prevail over Green in the vote-getting.

Cam Newton, QB (Carolina Panthers)

Newton has officially won the starting position for the Panthers, and if Clausen's performance in 2010 taught us anything, Newton could likely be the starter for the entire year.

Newton has the weapons around him at all positions. With his legs and the help of his supporting cast, the No. 1 overall pick could make a surge for Rookie of the Year.

Tyron Smith, OT (Dallas Cowboys)

This is even more of a stretch than my tight end pick, but hear me out.

The Dallas Cowboys are always the center of media attention, and if they manage to beat their minimal expectations (and Romo can stay off the ground), a lot of the credit will go to the highly-publicized first offensive lineman of the draft, Tyron Smith.

If the rest of the NFL rookies put up bleak numbers, an O-lineman might look the best.

Defensive Candidate: Von Miller, LB (Denver Broncos)

Von Miller is definitely the sexy pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011. He had a pretty decent preseason, totaling nine tackles and three sacks in just three games.

Miller will be joining Elvis Dumervil, who had an incredible 2009 season, and that should provide for a pretty formidable linebacker corps. Between the two, Denver should have a great number of sacks coming from this LB duo.

If Miller lives up to hype, he could very well flirt with 100 tackles and approach 8-10 sacks this season.

Defensive Candidate: Patrick Peterson, CB (Arizona Cardinals)

Rather than opting for a rookie upgrade at quarterback, the Cardinals brought in Kevin Kolb and added a cornerback force in Patrick Peterson. Peterson was easily among the top three rookies in the NFL draft and looks to prove it this year.

Peterson managed one highlight this preseason with an interception return for a touchdown against San Diego. Being such an ominous cornerback, there is a chance that not many passes will come to him, so his stat line might be lacking.

But if Peterson can put up a handful of interceptions and a return touchdown or two, he could be viewed as a shut-down corner and get Defensive Rookie of the Year respect.

Defensive Candidate: Aldon Smith, LB (San Francisco 49ers)

Aldon Smith will no doubt be a fixture on the 49ers this season, lining up with star linebacker Patrick Willis. Smith could blend in a little bit with Willis taking much of the glory, but look for an impressive stat line from this rookie.

Smith lit up the preseason with 19 tackles and 3.5 sacks. If that production can carry over and the 49ers' defense becomes a unit that opposing offenses must respect, then you can expect to see Aldon Smith's name when the end of the season comes along.

Defensive Dark-Horse Candidates

Nick Fairley, DT (Detroit Lions)

Fairley is entering one of the best young defenses in the NFL. He'll be helping out last year's Defensive Rookie of the Year, Ndamukong Suh. The duo should wreak havoc on the backfield, and if Fairley can compete with Suh's numbers from last year, then he could be in the running for the award.

Marcell Dareus, DT (Buffalo Bills)

If Marcell Dareus hopes to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, it is going to have to be through sacks. Dareus managed two in the preseason with only three total tackles.

His pass-rushing abilities made him the third overall pick for the Bills, and he is going to have to use that swim move and quickness to disrupt the quarterback often to get his name in the mix.

Ryan Kerrigan, LB (Washington Redskins)

Ryan Kerrigan put up an impressive three games with 10 tackles and two sacks.

The Redskins' defense will look to improve on an unimpressive 2010 campaign. If Kerrigan can lead this charge with statistics in the top 30 NFL linebackers, he could be considered.