NFL Rookie of the Year Prediction
Offensive Rookie Of the Year- Kenneth Walker
This year there was no clear-cut dominant player in the running for offensive rookie of the year. Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Kenneth Walker are the top three rookie producers on the offensive side of the football.
The primary rookie contributor in my mind is Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker.
As much as I'd like to give it to Garrett Wilson, Walker's impact of turning the projected worst offense in the league into a playoff team is the most award-worthy.
Walker totaled 228 rushing attempts for 1,050 rushing yards along with 9 touchdowns.
Cracking the 1,000-yard mark and playing all 17 games as a rookie is promising.
Walker also played in a playoff game, in that game he rushed 15 times for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Walker proved in his rookie season he’s a three-down back who can average 4.6 yards a clip.
In each of his last three games, Walker rushed for over 100 yards.
Walker has shown he is a great player out of college who has the potential to be extraordinary if he continues to improve from here.
Runner-up: Garrett Wilson
Wilson showed he is a capable top wide receiver with the worst quarterback play in the league. He was superb but never stood out due to the Jets not utilizing him correctly.
Keep an eye on Garret Wilson as he may improve under the radar.
Defensive Rookie of the Year- Sauce Gardner
Ahmad Gardner has officially earned his title of “Sauce.”
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner was the highest player drafted in Cincinnati Bearcats history.
Gardner was projected to be a top corner at the pro level and never looked back.
In Gardner's rookie season, he totaled 75 tackles (51 solos), two interceptions and led the league in passes defended with 20.
Many immediately point to the lack of interceptions as a knock on his game. I think these numbers are so low because quarterbacks didn’t even try to look his way.
Gardner also faced off against prominent receivers in the NFL.
In man coverage, Gardner held Tyreek Hill to under 45 receiving yards twice.
Gardner shut down Justin Jefferson to under 43 yards and Stephon Diggs only got free one on one against Gardner a single time out of his two games. The route was in zone coverage.
Gardner received All-Pro honors for his efforts; he was also voted into the Pro Bowl as well.
The level at which Sauce Gardner played could arguably be seen as the best rookie cornerback season ever.
Playing at an All-Pro level his rookie year, Sauce has shown he is capable of being one of the best at his position for years to come.
Runner up: Tariq Woolen
Tariq Woolen had eye-popping stats for a rookie corner.
Woolen’s speed combined with his league-tying six interceptions has created an argument against Sauce Gardner.
While I think Woolen is a speedy ball hawk corner, Gardner proved he’s the full package, especially when in man coverage.
Gardner’s ability to effectively delete a playmaker off the field is what makes him more deserving of the award.
Antonio Fondacaro is a sophomore studying broadcast journalism at Penn State. To contact him, email adf5400@psu.edu.
