2014 NFL Picks & Predictions: Early Offensive Rookie of the Year Favorites

2014 NFL Picks & Predictions: Early Offensive Rookie of the Year Favorites: The 2014 NFL Draft is in the books, and while a lot will happen between now and when the season officially begins, a few rookies already stand out as potential impact players on the offensive side of the ball. Through a combination of individual talent and the right situation, certain players are just in a better position to succeed in their first years in the NFL. With that in mind, here is an early look at five players that could end up being named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014.

1. Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints

Cooks is one of the fastest and most versatile receivers to come out of the 2014 draft, and he landed in the perfect situation in New Orleans. Not only will he have Drew Brees throwing him the ball, but offensive guru Sean Payton will take full advantage of his diverse set of skills. Last year at Oregon State, Cooks finished with 128 catches for 1,730 yards and 16 scores to go along with 217 rushing yards. Plain and simple, he is dangerous when he gets the hands on the ball, and since the Saints traded up in the first round to get him, you can rest assured that he will be getting plenty of touches.

2. Bishop Sankey, Running Back, Tennessee Titans

With Chris Johnson out of the picture and Shonn Greene plodding along at three yards per carry on a good day, the versatile Sankey is going to get the lion’s share of the touches in Tennessee. All he did at Washington last season was run for 1,870 yards and 20 scores and catch 28 passes for 304 yards so Sankey can be on the field for just about any down and distance. The bigger Green will likely steal some scores, but behind an improved offensive line that just got better with this year’s addition of Taylor Lewan, Sankey could easily lead all rookie backs in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage.

3. Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills

The Bills didn’t give up a bunch of picks to move up and draft Watkins to not give him a huge role in the offense. In fact, he seems destined to be the team’s No. 1 option from the start after Buffalo traded receiver Stevie Johnson to the 49ers later in the draft. Watkins was dominant at Clemson as a freshman, and after a humbling sophomore season, he returned to his unstoppable ways as a junior. Watkins has speed to stretch the field, and he has the type of explosive that can allow him to turn any catch into a big play. Second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel is going to be looking Watkins’ way early and often, and the combination of his talent and big role in the offense will give him a chance to have a monster rookie year.

4. Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns

Although he wasn’t the first quarterback taken in the draft, Manziel has the best chance to make an immediate impact. Cleveland desperately needs a playmaker at the QB position, and Manziel is a playmaker personified. His dual-threat ability allowed him to shred SEC defenses on a weekly basis, and while he is going to need to learn how to avoid big hits while continuing to make plays out of the pockets, he is still going to be plenty dangerous in the meantime. If Cleveland’s star receiver, Josh Gordon, wasn’t facing a season-long suspension, Manziel would have been even higher on my list.

5. Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars

With the announcement that Justin Blackmon is likely to be suspended for the year, Lee is set to become the Jaguars’ top option at receiver in 2014. Granted, being the top receiver for an offense that was abysmal last year doesn’t mean as much as it would if Lee was playing for a team with a better supporting cast. However, has the type of individual explosiveness that allows him to make something out of nothing, and he did manage 1,143 yards at USC last year despite zero stability at the QB spot. The situation isn’t ideal in Jacksonville either, but Lee is going to get enough targets to have a chance to put together an impressive stat line.

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