Candidates announced for NFL Rookie of the Year

The NFL announced the candidates for the 2021 Rookie of the Year award on Friday. Of the six available to vote for, four of them will be playing in the playoffs beginning on Saturday. Here is the full list of candidates.

NFL Rookie of the Year candidates

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals WR – Reconnecting Ja’Marr Chase with quarterback Joe Burrow turned out to be as deadly in Cincinnati as it was in Baton Rouge for LSU. Playing in all 17 games this season, the rookie wide receiver had 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 14 touchdowns. His 266-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 is a rookie record, one previously held by Jerry Rice.

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers RB – It’s always a risk when teams spend a first-round pick on running backs and so far, it’s worked out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Najee Harris has been one of their top offensive players since the beginning of camp, rushing for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns. Only three other players have more rushing yards than Harris and only one has more attempts.

Mac Jones, New England Patriots QB – After beating out Cam Newton for the starting job this season, Mac Jones has put the Patriots in the playoffs after a one-year drought. He has done so by completing just over 67% of his throws, totaling 3,801 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. For being the fifth quarterback drafted back in April, Jones has had the earliest success. Four (all but Trey Lance) have started all season for their teams with Jones and the Patriots being the only ones without a top 10 pick next season.

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys LB – Not many players have been better than Micah Parsons this season, let alone rookies. He has played all over the defense for the Dallas Cowboys, lining up at linebacker, edge rusher, and even cornerback at times. He has 64 tackles on the year, with 13 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss, and three forced fumbles attached to his name. Parsons missed the regular-season finale, leaving him short of a few rookie records. Nonetheless, the former Penn State man should be considered one of the favorites for the award.

Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons TE – The No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Kyle Pitts lived up to the hype for the Atlanta Falcons in Year One. He was quarterback Matt Ryan’s favorite target all season, leading the team in receptions (68) and receiving yards (1,026). The only downside was Pitts’ inability to get into the end zone, only scoring one touchdown on the year. Either way, the former Florida man has locked down his spot in the Atlanta blueprint for the future.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins WR – Before Jaylen Waddle, only one other rookie receiver had more than 100 receptions on the season. The former Alabama man ended the year with 104 and broke the record previously held by Anquan Bolden. However, he just barely broke 1,000 receiving yards on the year with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Waddle is set to do incredible things with the Miami Dolphins for years to come.