NFL Rookie of the Year Watch: Week 6
With the first five weeks of the NFL season behind us, the rookies are starting to really understand the pace of the game and make impacts on their teams. Many are trying to reach the high expectations that came from their high draft position and many are exceeding them after being drafted later than they ultimately should have.
This list will preview the offensive and defensive rookie of the year if the season ended today as well as their runner up for the award.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Coming into the draft, Hall received many first round grades from experts, but not many projections there due to his positions.
Thankfully for the Jets, he fell right into a spot where the Jets could comfortably trade up and select him 38th overall. With the Jets being a team that goes running back by committee, they needed a lead back to take the helm of the backfield.
Although second year back Michael Carter started the season as the lead, everyone knew it would be Hall’s backfield soon enough. As each game went by, Hall’s usage continued to increase to the point where he finally had his breakout game against Miami. Hall totaled 97 yards on 18 rushing attempts and a touchdown as well as 100 yards receiving on two receptions.
Hall also won Offensive Rookie of the Week for his game-winning touchdown against the Steelers in week four.
Honorable Mention: Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
The second wide receiver drafted in the first round from Ohio State has shown his immense speed and athleticism over the first five weeks of the season. With an injury riddled Saints offense, Olave has been the bright spot totaling five receptions, 389 yards and two touchdowns on the season so far.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, , New York Jets
The cornerback-desperate Jets took Gardner at fourth overall in this past draft and he has definitely lived up to that so far. The Jets were ranked dead last in passing defense last season, and this year because of Gardner and other additions they are now 10th in the NFL.
Against Miami, Gardner allowed a 34.2 passer rating, and the week before he allowed a 39.6 passer rating. Also against the Dolphins, Gardner recorded his first career interception as well as a safety on the first defensive play for the Jets.
Gardner is showing a secondary presence that the Jets have not had since Darrelle Revis and while he is nowhere near Revis yet, the numbers so far look very similar.
Honorable Mention: Devin Lloyd, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Selected 27th overall, Lloyd was seen as an incredibly raw linebacker with freak athleticism coming out of Utah. Being the second in command to newly signed linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, his impact has been palpable for the Jaguars. Lloyd has 26 tackles, six pass defenses and two interceptions.
Joey David is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jtd5508@psu.edu.
