Top 10 OFFENSIVE Rookie of the Year Candidates for 21'

 The draft has officially been over for around a week and now we really get into the dog days of the off-season where we have a bit of a lull. That doesn't mean the content won't stop coming. Today we get into my top 10 offensive rookie of the year candidates based off of how good the player is and what situation he's in. I think everyone on this list will have a shot at winning the award and I fully expect the winner to be one of these players.

10. Michael Carter, RB, Jets (From UNC)

This might come as a surprise to some, but Carter walks into one of the best situations for being a bell cow RB of anyone in the draft. The Jets before drafting Carter had maybe the worst backfield in the NFL but getting the steal that Carter was in the 4th round changes everything. The home run hitter Carter should win the starting role pretty easily, he is so talented and the Jets again, have nothing. With Zach Wilson set to be their starter, he will look to hand off a lot to relieve some of the pressure. With his amazing skillset out of the backfield, Carter could produce some eye popping numbers in year 1 and has a chance to win OROY in my mind.

9. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins (From Alabama)

A lot of people might have expected Waddle to be higher on this list, and I could see it, but I think it could be a year or maybe 2 before Waddle starts to become that elite receiver many project him to be. Tua Tagovailoa did not look too good in his first year in the NFL, and thats why the Fins went out and got Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle for him this year. As good as Waddle is, I'm not sure Tua will have the skills to get the ball to him as much as he deserves it. Waddle very well could completely prove me wrong, but I'm just not sure yet.

8. Mac Jones, QB, Patriots (From Alabama)

Sadly for the best non-QBs, this award is QB dominated and that is why you see a guy like Mac Jones over one of the most talented wideouts we've seen in Jaylen Waddle. The fact is that if you are a starting QB, you are gonna touch the ball on every offensive play (so much more volume than anyone else). For Mac Jones, he is very likely to get a ton of playing time in year 1 I think. One of the more NFL ready prospects in the class, Jones will maybe even win the day 1 starting job over Cam Newton. With his skillset perfect for Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniel's offense, Jones could light in up in year 1.

7. Devonta Smith, WR, Eagles (From Alabama)

I still want to give the Eagles more props for making the move up to snag Devonta Smith. The Eagles have been such a joke in recent years at drafting WRs (notably taking JJAW over DK Metcalf and Reagor over Justin Jefferson). Finally, the Eagles not only take the right prospect, but they make the move up to make sure they get him. Devonta Smith is sure to light in up in year 1. He will likely walk into the WR1 position for Philly and already has a chemistry with former Bama QB Jalen Hurts. We saw the ways Bama used the Heisman winner last year and I think his role is going to be very similar in Philly. If so, Smith is going to have a major chance at winning ROY.

6. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals (From LSU)

WRs and QBs are running this list, for good reason though. In one of the most talented WR classes we've ever seen, Ja'Marr Chase was the cream of the crop. Not only that, but he got drafted to the team that may fit him the best. He pairs up with his former QB from LSU in Joe Burrow who tossed 20 TDs to Chase in their historic 2019 season. Chase will instantly step in as the Bengals WR1 and Joe Burrow won't hesitate to get it back to him as much as possible. A former teammate of Vikings stud WR Justin Jefferson, we could see a similar year 1 impact with Chase on the Bengals. Chase has an amazing shot to be ROY.

5. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons (From Florida)

Speaking of perfect situations to be drafted to, Pitts is another example of that. He walks into an offense that has a former MVP QB in Matt Ryan who is still a baller and with pro bowl wideouts Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to either side of him. We all know Pitts is a freak athlete and a match-up nightmare, but how will teams account for him AND Julio and Ridley. Pitts will get his fair share of match-ups with backup linebackers or safeties and will dominate. Pitts may be listed as a TE, but he is just an offensive weapon. If he wins ROY though, he would be the first player labeled a TE to ever do so...

4. Justin Fields, QB, Bears (From Ohio State)

We all know the Bears lucked out with Fields' fall to 11, but what we don't know is when we will see him play. Fields could potentially have a redshirt type first season to learn, but I doubt it. With the Bears roster pretty poor, the team is going to feel the pressure early on to play Fields who is probably already better than Andy Dalton is at this point in his career. If Fields plays a significant amount of games this year, he could have the inside track to the ROY award. Mobile QBs are always loved by the voters and Fields is that. We've seen Dak Prescott and Kyler Murray upset Ezekiel Elliott and Josh Jacobs for ROY awards in the past due to the mobile QB tag, could Fields be next?

3. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers (From Alabama)

I might have Najee higher than most on a ROY candidates list, but hear me out. Harris is going to be a workhorse back year 1 for Pittsburgh. Their offense was so one dimensional last season and the completely missed the days where Le'Veon Bell was the focal point of their offense. Those days could be back. Najee Harris reminds me a lot of Le'Veon Bell, he's just bigger. He can truck you or run through anyone like a Derrick Henry but has the hands of an Austin Ekeler out of the backfield as well. Harris is going to get so many touches due to the weak RB room and his ability to take check downs and turn them into massive gains. He fits Pitt's offense so well and could easily be the next big rookie RB that wins the award.

2. Zach Wilson, QB, Jets (From BYU)

The second Jet on the list. Other than Trevor Lawrence, Wilson seems like the only other QB from this class that we can pretty much guarantee starts week 1. The Jets clearly have put all their eggs in the Wilson basket and are praying he can be their guy of the future. I believe in Wilson a ton. He brings such a great skillset to the table. He's surprisingly mobile but also has a Mahomes-like arm. He can throw the ball from some crazy arm angles. With the help that the Jets have surrounded him with, I strongly believe Wilson will thrive, and quickly. Starting from week 1 at the QB position gives him a major chance to be the rookie of the year.

1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars (From Clemson)

That is all that needs to be said. He's easily the favorite. Best QB prospect maybe of the 2000s.

OROY Honorable Mentions: Trey Lance (QB, 49ers), Elijah Moore (WR, Jets), Kadarius Toney (WR, Giants), Davis Mills (QB, Texans), Travis Etienne (RB, Jaguars), Rashod Bateman (WR, Ravens)