Non-QB OROY Candidates Right Now

By: Jake Rajala

It’s fun to speculate who will win Offensive Rookie of The Year. It’s more exciting and challenging to project which non-QBs could win the award. Hence, I’m going to untwine the five best non-QB OROY candidates.

5. Colston Loveland

A TE is a young QB’s security blanket. Colston Loveland can be an annual Pro Bowler. He has similar athletic ability as Gronk, such as size and explosiveness. The Bears also don’t have Keenan Allen anymore, so there should be more targets for Colston. He doesn’t have the best 40 yard dash – as he ran it in 4.7. Nonetheless, he can still run short routes quite okay.

4. Jack Bech

Opposing defenses will focus on Raiders TE Brock Bowers, who has All-Pro ability. This should help new Las Vegas Raider second-round pick Jack Bech have more favorable opportunities to shine. Furthermore, the Raiders don’t exactly have a clear-cut WR1. Jack has a golden opportunity to be the man in Sin City.

3. Matthew Golden

Matthew Golden hogged the spotlight on draft night, as he was taken by the Pack in the first round, who just happened to host draft night. Golden ran the fastest 40 time among WRs at the NFL combine – with a time of 4.29. Golden can be the deep threat that the Packers need. He still needs to work on his route running, but there will be ways to get him the ball in space via screens, quick passes, and even occasional deep shots.

2. Tetairoa McMillan

Tetairoa McMillan really reminds me of Mike Evans. Tetairoa even ran a faster 40 time than Evans. Tetairoa will be the WR1 in Carolina. He is more superb right now than the 34 year old Adam Thielen. It should also be noted that his divisional foes were horrid against the pass a season ago. The Bucs ranked 30th in passing yards allowed, the Saints ranked 28th in passing yards allowed, and the Falcons ranked 24th in passing yards allowed last season!

1. Ashton Jeanty

Ashton Jeanty is the slam-dunk OROY favorite. He has Alvin Kamara-like potential, who won OROY. Jeanty is a tackle-breaking machine. He had an NFL score of 95, which was first among RBs entering the draft. There is some concern that he had a huge chunk of carries in college. I believe that Jeanty can still be elite for a few seasons. Todd Gurley was able to help his squad win a Super Bowl before being washed up.