The NFL offensive rookie of the year award for 2015 has some great candidates this season, as players like Todd Gurley, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Amari Cooper and TJ Yeldon have put up some strong numbers for their teams.
Heading into Week 15 it looks like Gurley and Winston are the favorites for the award, but over the final three games of the season Mariota or Cooper could break out and take it. Gurley has put up some strong numbers with the Rams after missing time early in the season after coming back from a knee injury, while Winston has the Buccaneers on the outside of the playoff race in the NFC.
Mariota has put up solid numbers for the Titans, while Yeldon and Cooper have been integral players for the Jaguars and the Raiders on offense. Here is a look at the rookies:
Todd Gurley, Rams
Gurley has been very impressive for the Rams this season and he has put up five 100-yard games this season in 11 games played for St. Louis. Gurley has rushed for 975 yards this season and eight touchdowns and he is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Making things more impressive is the fact that the Rams passing offense has been a mess and that means defenses have been able to stack up on Gurley. Gurley has still been very productive and he comes into Week 15 after rushing for 140 yards against the Lions.
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
Winston has the Buccaneers on the outside of playoff contention after winning just two games last season and that could help his cause for the voting. Winston has put up solid numbers with 3059 yards and 18 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and he has made Tampa Bay competitive. Winston has been able to handle the offense for the Buccaneers and he has some impressive performances from the season, including when he threw for five touchdown passes against the Eagles.
Marcus Mariota, Titans
Mariota has shown that he can handle the transition to the NFL as well and while he has had some growing pains along the way, he has put up solid numbers for the Titans. Mariota has nearly 2800 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and he also has a receiving touchdown this season. The offensive line has been a mess and Mariota has had to overcome that he comes into Week 15 completing 62 percent of his passes.
Amari Cooper, Raiders
Cooper has been a great addition for the Raiders this season and he comes in with 62 catches for 920 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. Cooper has helped Michael Crabtree re-establish himself as a strong WR for the Raiders after years with the 49ers and Cooper has given the Raiders an explosive option on offense. Cooper has had some games where he has had issues with drops, but he also has shown some great potential for Oakland.