Chicago Bears

2016 NFL Rookie of the Year: Top Offensive Contenders

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:32 p.m. ET

Fansided, Erik Lambert/FanSided via NFL Mocks

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talks with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NFL Rookie of the Year award is one of the more fascinating races in recent memory. For the first time in awhile there is no clear favorite.

Sure, there is a short list of names that rank above everybody else but that’s not a huge surprise. It’s a matter of figuring out the numbers and them determining their overall impact on the team. The Rookie of the Year award is essentially the MVP for first-year players. Who are the top contenders and why are they leading the pack?

Dak Prescott (QB, Dallas Cowboys)

By far the biggest surprise of the 2016 season. A lot of people weren’t big believers in Prescott coming out of Mississippi State. They felt his game was a little too close to Tim Tebow. Turns out their fears were overblown. Since taking over for an injured Tony Romo, the 4th round pick has played nearly perfect all season. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, executes the game plans well and has been a leader in the huddle that offense didn’t have when Romo was gone last year.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB, Dallas Cowboys)

It’s extremely rare for two rookies on the same team to be the favorites for the award but Dallas struck big this year. Ezekiel Elliott has been everything they hoped for as the 4th overall pick. He’s the leading rusher in the NFL and is also an understated part of their pass protection. Keep in mind the Cowboys were 4-12 last year without Elliott in the lineup. So far this season they’re 11-2 since he was drafted. That’s not a coincidence.

Tyreek Hill (WR, Kansas City Chiefs)

Andy Reid often loves using smaller, quicker receivers as utility weapons on both offense and special teams. Tyreek Hill has become every bit of that for the Chiefs. Not only is he the second-leading receiver among rookies in the league, he also has a touchdown running the ball, a touchdown kick returning the ball and a touchdown punt returning the ball. It’s basically bad news for the opponent whenever Kansas City puts it in this kids’ hands.

Tyreek Hill ????????????????????#JUCOPRODUCT https://t.co/YjCUClTKMk

— JUCO Football Frenzy (@JUCOFFrenzy) December 12, 2016

Jordan Howard (RB, Chicago Bears)

Perhaps the best bang-for-buck running back this year. Jordan Howard wasn’t even a starter to begin the season in Chicago and only averages 16 carries per game. Yet he’s averaging 5.0 yards per carry and stood 31 yards shy of 1,000 with three games to go in the season. That’s impressive work for a 5th round pick out of Indiana. It’s scary to wonder how much worse this Bears team might’ve been had he not emerged when he did.

Michael Thomas (WR, New Orleans Saints)

The Saints offense knew they lost something when wide receiver Marquis Colston departed. That big receiver presence was often critical to their attack. So they decided to replace him with Michael Thomas. They expected results, but probably not this fast. Not only is Thomas productive, but he’s become the #1 target for Drew Brees. Barring a setback he should crack 1,000 yards for the season. Quite an accomplishment after limited action at Ohio State.