Ranking the NFL's top 10 Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates
With 2020 draft prospects now in their new NFL homes, theScore examines the class and ranks the top 10 contenders for both the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards.
Offense I Defense
10. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
Herbert was among the first round's most polarizing selections, with many deeming him a reach by the Los Angeles Chargers. However, quarterbacks can win this award without top-tier production. Tyrod Taylor doesn't have a tight grip on the starting job and the L.A. fanbase could loosen it further by calling for the sixth overall pick and the excitement he'll bring.
The fresh-faced passer has all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. Herbert just needs to be more creative when plays break down and speed up his mental process. With a potentially great defense to back him up and dynamic weapons like receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, running back Austin Ekeler, and tight end Hunter Henry, the former Oregon standout landed in a great spot to prove his doubters wrong.
9. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Raiders
This award is historically dominated by quarterbacks and running backs. Anquan Boldin (2003), Percy Harvin (2009), and Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) are the only receivers to win it since the turn of the century, and Harvin's candidacy was boosted by his production as a returner. So while Ruggs is facing an uphill battle, he's entering an intriguing situation with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tyrell Williams is the Raiders' de facto top receiver, but he dealt with injuries throughout 2019 and is more suited as a No. 2. Hunter Renfrow shouldn't take away too many targets in the slot. Ruggs could, therefore, quickly establish himself as the Raiders' go-to weapon. His fit with an overly passive Derek Carr isn't ideal, but the former Alabama star's game-breaking speed could bring out the quarterback's aggressiveness.
8. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta envisions a four-headed monster at running back alongside reigning MVP Lamar Jackson in 2020. That sounds like a nightmare for opposing defenses, but it could limit Dobbins' upside compared to other rookie running backs. That said, while Mark Ingram is likely safe as the starter, Dobbins should quickly push Gus Edwards and Justice Hill down the depth chart.
The former Ohio State star is also joining the most run-happy team in the NFL. The Ravens ran the ball 98 more times (596) than anyone else in the league in 2019, so even as part of a committee, Dobbins should get more than enough work. With his ability to score from anywhere on the field, Dobbins could win the award even in a timeshare with Ingram.
7. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones loves getting shiny new toys, so he was likely pinching himself when Lamb, widely seen as a top-10 talent, slipped all the way to the No. 17 overall pick. Jones clearly thinks Lamb will be his next superstar, as the wideout was gifted No. 88 to uphold the legacy of Drew Pearson, Dez Bryant, and Michael Irvin. Lamb is guaranteed to sell a lot of jerseys, but will he be an equally big hit on the field?
Dallas has a lot of mouths to feed. Amari Cooper just signed a deal to become the highest-paid wideout in the league, Michael Gallup racked up more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore, and Ezekiel Elliott always gets his touches. Dak Prescott almost hit 5,000 yards in 2019, and Lamb is far more explosive after the catch than the Cowboys' other receivers, but it will hard for the Oklahoma product to win rookie honors without quickly supplanting Gallup as the team's No. 2.
6. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
With Marlon Mack coming off of his first 1,000-yard season for the Indianapolis Colts, Taylor's path to instant stardom is among the more difficult on this list. But due to the presence of an elite offensive line and a creative head coach in Frank Reich, the former Wisconsin running back - who is coming off back-to-back 2,000-yard campaigns - arguably has one of the biggest upsides in his rookie class.
Taylor will need to prove he can catch the ball - he had only 25 receptions in 2019 - and protect the passer if he's to hit his Year 1 ceiling. But despite Mack's recent success, Taylor is already a better runner inside the tackles while being just as explosive. Mack is entering a contract year and Indy is unlikely to re-sign him after using a second-rounder on Taylor, so the rookie could easily wrestle away the starting job before midseason.
5. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
Few came out of the NFL draft better than Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock, who saw his offense radically improve. Jeudy, the crown jewel of Denver's draft, fell into the Broncos' lap at No. 15 overall to give the team a scary one-two punch with 2019 breakout star Courtland Sutton.
The former Alabama star should receive a ton of targets. Sutton was by far the Broncos' leading receiver last season, and despite being traded at midseason, Emmanuel Sanders ended the campaign third on the team in yards. Jeudy is a highly developed route-runner and has the speed to attack defenses at every level of the field. If Lock has a sophomore leap, it's easy to see Jeudy challenging for 1,000 yards and six-to-eight touchdowns.
4. D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions
Swift is the rookie rusher with the clearest path to a starting role. The Detroit Lions do have Kerryon Johnson, but they drafted the former Georgia standout in the second round because of Johnson's inability to stay healthy. Even if the Lions want to use a running back duo, Swift is the easy choice to be the 1A.
In three seasons at Georgia, he displayed a rare blend of power, speed, and agility. Aside from a lack of refinement as a pass-catcher, the 21-year-old is ready-made to produce immediately at the NFL level. Moreover, with Matthew Stafford coming off of another back injury, the Lions could look to lean heavily on their ground game to protect their quarterback.
3. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Tagovailoa is officially a member of the Miami Dolphins, who ultimately didn't need to tank to land the franchise passer they've been crying out for since Dan Marino retired. The big question for the Dolphins: Will Tagovailoa be healthy enough to start immediately? He seems to think so, and while Ryan Fitzpatrick played admirably in 2019, there is no logical reason to rob Tagovailoa of starting experience if his hip injury is no longer a concern.
If he is the Day 1 starter, Tagovailoa should be in the mix for this award. Being a quarterback and a household name obviously help. And while the former Alabama star's supporting cast - especially the offensive line - leaves something to be desired, the likes of DeVante Parker, Matt Breida, and Mike Gesicki should give Tagovailoa enough help to engineer an impressive rookie campaign.
2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
Winning a Super Bowl gives you the license to make bold moves, and the Kansas City Chiefs did just that by making Edwards-Helaire the only running back taken in the first round. The reigning champions could've bolstered their defensive depth but instead decided to add another electric weapon to Patrick Mahomes' already terrifying arsenal. It's hard to argue with that plan.
The Chiefs view the rookie rusher as Brian Westbrook turned up to 11. While Edwards-Helaire lacks top speed, it likely won't matter much with defenses honing in on Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid designing plays. Edwards-Helaire is already an outstanding receiving threat and should also create fireworks as a returner. If Damien Williams doesn't retain too many touches, the LSU standout could be the biggest challenger to his former backfield mate.
1. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
No prizes for guessing the award's top contender. While the Cincinnati Bengals aren't an ideal spot for Burrow due to their porous offensive line, defense, and a big question mark at head coach in Zac Taylor, the former LSU quarterback is more than talented enough to overcome his new team's shortcomings and produce a memorable rookie campaign.
The good news for the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner is that Cincinnati's biggest strength is arguably its offensive weapons. If healthy, A.J. Green is an ideal big-bodied No. 1 target for a first-year passer. No. 33 overall pick Tee Higgins, slot weapon Tyler Boyd, and speedster John Ross round out a diverse receiving corps. Throw running back Joe Mixon into the mix, and Burrow has a great chance at replicating his spectacular college play in the NFL.