Since the inception of the award in 1967, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has always been presented to a QB, RB or WR. No TE or offensive lineman has ever won the award. For that reason, only rookies playing QB, RB and WR were considered for this list, although guard Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys should be in contention. Here are the five players in the best position to win the award in 2014.
5. Jerick McKinnon (RB-Minnesota Vikings)
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5. Jerick McKinnon (RB-Minnesota Vikings)
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After tearing up the combine, Jerick McKinnon soared up draft boards and ended up as a third-round pick of the Vikings. After being drafted out of Georgia Southern, he was expected to play sparingly behind Adrian Peterson. Instead, McKinnon has received double-digit carries in four games this year and leads all rookies with 392 rushing yards. He's started the last three games and should be in line for more carries as the season progresses.
4. Kelvin Benjamin (WR-Carolina Panthers)
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4. Kelvin Benjamin (WR-Carolina Panthers)
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Entering the draft, the Carolina Panthers desperately needed a WR. The team didn't waste any time as Kelvin Benjamin out of Florida State was drafted No. 28 overall. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Benjamin is built more like a TE than a WR. Through eight games, he leads the team in receiving yards and his five touchdowns are tied with Greg Olsen. Benjamin is ranked in the top three among rookies in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
3. Derek Carr (QB-Oakland Raiders)
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3. Derek Carr (QB-Oakland Raiders)
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Despite being the fourth QB drafted, Derek Carr is the only rookie to start every game. Although the Raiders are 0-7, Carr hasn't been the issue. The former Fresno State QB leads the four rookie starters in completions, attempts, passing yards, touchdowns and passer rating. The most impressive statistic is his touchdown to interception ratio (9-to-5), which is much better than those of Blake Bortles (6-to-12) and Teddy Bridgewater (2-to-5).
2. Sammy Watkins (WR-Buffalo Bills)
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2. Sammy Watkins (WR-Buffalo Bills)
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Buffalo traded away two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to move up five spots and select Clemson WR Sammy Watkins. So far, he's proven to be worth it. His 590 receiving yards lead all rookies, and he's tied for the rookie lead with five touchdowns. He leads the Bills in both categories. He's started every game this year and has played his best as of late. In the past two games, Watkins has scored three times while gaining 279 yards.
1. Branden Oliver (RB-San Diego Chargers)
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1. Branden Oliver (RB-San Diego Chargers)
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19 running backs were drafted this year; Branden Oliver wasn't one of them. Now, he's in great position to be the first undrafted player ever to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. The last 13 winners were all first or second-round picks. Oliver didn't even play until Week 3, yet he's second among rookies in rushing yards. In addition to his rushing, Oliver has caught 21 passes. Even when Ryan Mathews returns, Oliver should see plenty of touches.
Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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