The NFL rookie of the year award for the 2015 season should be a close vote, as players like Todd Gurley, David Johnson, Amari Cooper, Jameis Winston and Tyler Lockett all have solid cases to be the offensive player of the year. Marcus Peters of the Chiefs has had a great season and is considered the favorite to win the defensive rookie of the year award.
Winston was the first overall pick and helped the Buccaneers go from worst in the league to being on the fringes of the playoff race. Gurley had a great season and put up strong numbers despite missing time while coming back from knee surgery. Johnson gave the Cardinals a huge burst in the second half of the season, while Cooper and Lockett both did solid work for the Raiders and the Seahawks.
Here is a look at the top offensive candidates:
Todd Gurley, Rams
Gurley put up 1106 yards in 13 games as a rookie this season and played up to expectations after many scouts pegged him as the most talented RB in the 2015 draft. Gurley averaged over 80 yards per game and scored 10 touchdowns and he also had five games with at least 100-yards rushing. The Rams offense was a mess this season and that put more pressure on Gurley and he delivered.
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
Winston has a strong case for the award after being the number one overall draft pick, as he helped the Buccaneers stay in the playoff race for part of the season after winning just two games the previous year. Winston put up strong stats as well with 22 passing TDs and six rushing scores while throwing for 4042 yards for Tampa Bay.
David Johnson, Cardinals
Johnson doesn't have the overall stats that Gurley has, but he has been a versatile and explosive rookie for the Cardinals. Johnson scored 13 total touchdowns this season, including four receiving and one on a kickoff return and he helped the Cardinals down the stretch after injuries to Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington.
Defensive player: Marcus Peters, Chiefs
Peters has played well for the Chiefs all season and he has put up eight interceptions, which is the most by a rookie since 2009. The Chiefs defense has been great through their long winning streak and Peters has been one of the main reasons why. There has been some solid play this season from rookies like Ronald Darby, Leonard Williams and Damarious Randall, but no one has made as big of an impact as Peters.
