Ranking the Most Likely 2015 Rookie of the Year Candidates By Brent Sobleski May 12, 2015 
Joe Robbins/Getty Images The 2015 NFL draft ended a week ago. The next logical step is to prematurely predict the NFL's next Rookie of the Year even before the incoming class straps on the pads for the first time. It's not entirely a shot in the dark, though. We can theorize which rookie has the best chance to win based on a number of factors. After Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater captured the 2014 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, he became the 12th offensive player to win the award since its inception in 2002. It's an offensive award, unless the rookie of note is a dominant beast like defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. However, respected institutions such as The Associated Press, Pro Football Writers of America and Sporting News all hand out Rookie of the Year awards. In those instances, they name—or previously named—Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year. Sporting News eventually changed gears in 1980 and decided to name only one Rookie of the Year. In the subsequent 34 years, only two defenders were honored. These facts provide a framework to understand which type of prospect is the most likely to take home the award. Other factors such as expected system fit, overall opportunity and expected production were taken into account when trying to predict which incoming rookie will hoist the hardware after the upcoming season. Here are 15 prospects (in descending order) that are most likely to be named the NFL Rookie of the Year after the 2015 season.Just Missed the CutLeonard Williams
Adam Hunger/Associated Press Some obvious names were left off our list of Rookie of the Year rankings.The New York Jets' Leonard Williams was considered by many to be the most talented player in this year's class. He may well be, but it will be difficult due to his position and the Jets defensive line rotation. A 3-4 defensive end isn't exactly a glorious position.Granted, Sheldon Richardson was named Defensive Rookie of the Year by The Associated Press after the 2013 season, but Williams must now play behind Richardson and former All-Pro Muhammad Wilkerson. Even as talented as the USC product is, a nonstarter's role is difficult to overcome for individual accolades. Potential two-down defensive linemen like the Cleveland Browns' Danny Shelton, the San Francisco 49ers' Arik Armstead and the New England Patriots' Malcom Brown won't excite voters. As everyone already knows, an offensive lineman isn't going to be named Rookie of the Year either. If the Dallas Cowboys' Zack Martin or the Browns' Joel Bitonio couldn't capture the hardware last year, it might not happen for a very long time. A couple of picks beyond the first round should prove to be interesting additions to their respective teams. Sixty-three selections after Williams was selected, the Seattle Seahawks traded up to acquire Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The Wildcats' all-time leading receiver might not add much size to the team's wide receiver corps, but he's a dynamic downfield threat and electric after the catch. He should be able to contribute early in his career. It all depends on how much with Jimmy Graham, Doug Baldwin and Chris Matthews likely demanding more attention.A true wild card in this particular conversation is Tennessee Titans wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. If he completely dedicates himself to his profession and plays to his talent level, Green-Beckham can develop into a dominant player very early in his career. Some things must be seen, though, before they can truly be believed.Now on to the countdown...15. Landon Collins
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe New York Giants thought enough of Alabama Crimson Tide safety Landon Collins to trade up to acquire him at the top of the second round. The fact that the Giants targeted Collins, who was generally considered the No. 1 safety prospect overall, wasn't much of a surprise. The position was a major sore spot for the organization, particularly after it didn't attempt to re-sign Antrel Rolle this offseason. Collins fell in the draft based on the presumption that he's only a box safety. Traditional strong safeties don't hold great value around the league anymore. Head coach Tom Coughlin doesn't seem to hold the same opinion, though. During the team's rookie camp, the Alabama product primarily played free safety and the coach was pleased with his play, according to according to Newsday's Tom Rock.Collins is expected to take on a leadership role in the secondary very early in his career. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke with the New York Post's Paul Schwartz about Collins' accelerated growth after only days with the franchise: “ I will say this, from practice one [Friday] to just this morning, I saw a jump already. They come here initially and they’re feeling their way through. They don’t really want to say anything, but by the time we got to that last team period [Saturday], Landon was moving people around and directing, so if he can keep doing that every day, I think we’ll have exactly what we thought we had when we took him.”It's nearly impossible—at least it has been in recent history—for a safety to provide enough of an impact to even be considered for Defensive Rookie of the Year, let alone an overall Rookie of the Year candidate. However, Collins will be a big part of the Giants defense if the team contends in the NFC East. An improved Giants squad will almost certainly draw attention to Collins' play. 14. Kevin White
Chris Jackson/Associated Press Three wide receivers were considered elite prospects in this year's draft class. Each had their strengths and weaknesses as prospects. West Virginia's Kevin White made his case as the top wide receiver prospect with an explosive senior season. After being a JUCO transfer, White struggled with a foot injury as a junior, but he developed into one of college football's top receivers in 2014 with 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. After a strong senior season, the Plainfield, New Jersey, native impressed at the combine with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at 6'3" and 215 pounds. His combination of size and speed placed him in the conversation as the No. 1 wide receiver prospect. The Chicago Bears eventually made White the second wide receiver off the board with seventh overall selection. White is a dynamic downfield threat and should produce early in his career, but an uncertain quarterback situation in the Windy City and Alshon Jeffery on the roster forces one to temper expectations.Also, there are questions about his ability to digest an NFL playbook and route tree after playing in West Virginia's simplistic offense. However, White already impressed his new offensive coordinator Adam Gase during his first rookie minicamp, according to ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson: “ He could tell you exactly what the checks were, what him and the quarterback, what page they were on. It was pretty impressive when he came in the building. We really like what he brought to the table, and we look for specific routes, and when we see one or two things, we know they can do the entire tree, so his speed, his body control, the way that he bursts off the ball, all those things we really liked.”As long as White continues to adjust quickly, it will fall squarely on Jay Cutler's shoulders to spotlight the wide receiver's talents. 13. Jay Ajayi
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports A fully healthy Jay Ajayi was a top-three running back in the 2015 NFL draft class and an early-round selection. But that wasn't the case. Long-term concerns over a right knee injury which required surgery in 2011 forced him to fall into the fifth round, where the Miami Dolphins chose him with the 149th overall selection. While it's a lingering concern, Ajayi isn't worried about its stability. "Absolutely not," Ajayi told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Chris Perkins. "I'm healthy, I feel great, and I'm just focused on doing whatever I can out here to help this team win a championship."After all, Ajayi became the first running back in major college football history to run for more than 1,800 yards while also adding 500 more receiving yards in 2014. Since his injury, the former Boise State running back carried the ball 678 times without any lingering issues. Ajayi immediately adds size (6'0" and 221 pounds) and a physical running style to the Dolphins offense. He also served as a true three-down running back for the Broncos, which only adds to his overall value by being able to stay on the field at all times. His biggest obstacle isn't draft status or even his previous injury, though. Incumbent starting running back Lamar Miller is coming off career highs with 216 carries for 1,099 yards at 5.1 yards per carry and eight touchdowns. Ajayi has the natural ability to become the eventual starter in Miami. In fact, it shouldn't surprise anyone if he does. But he's still going to split carries with Miller during his rookie season, which will limit his production. 12. Breshad Perriman
Scott Halleran/Getty Images Everyone digs the long ball. In the NFL, no quarterback owns a bigger arm than the Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco. To take full advantage of his ability as a passer, the Ravens require wide receivers who can stretch the field vertically. The team lost its previous deep threat, Torrey Smith, in free agency to the San Francisco 49ers. But general manager Ozzie Newsome is one of the best in the business, and he immediately saw an opportunity to fill the void in the first round of this year's draft by selecting an even bigger and faster wide receiver to fill Smith's shoes. UCF's Breshad Perriman doesn't want to follow in anyone's footsteps, though, not even his father, who played 10 seasons in the NFL."I want to make my own name," Perriman told The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. "You want to be successful so you won't be labeled as Brett Perriman's son. They'll just know you as Breshad Perriman."Very few prospects can even be considered in the same league as Perriman in regard to his height-speed combination. The UCF product is a thickly built 6'2', 212-pound wide receiver. He also runs an (unofficial) 4.26-second 40-yard dash. His speed alone makes him a constant threat to opposing defenses. Any time the rookie is on the field, defenses will have to account for his ability to stretch the field. His presence will be nearly as importantly as his actual production. It will open up the field for veteran receiver Steve Smith and fellow draftee Maxx Williams at tight end. A few long, game-changing touchdowns, though, and Perriman will quickly create buzz as one of the league's most dynamic rookies. 11. Denzel Perryman
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images Safety Eric Weddle can't do it all for the San Diego Chargers. While the secondary is the strength of the team's defense, more consistent play is needed from San Diego's front seven to compete in the AFC West. Inside linebacker in the team's 3-4 base defense has been a particularly sore spot over the past two seasons. Neither Donald Butler nor Manti Te'o have been able to stay on the field for a full 16-game slate. Even though the position wasn't viewed as a high priority since Butler and Te'o are still projected to start, the team decided Perryman was too tempting in the second round to pass on the talented linebacker. The Miami prospect will be expected to be a tone-setter once he's on the field. Perryman is a heat-seeking missile, and it's exactly that mentality which drew the Chargers to him. Defensive coordinator John Pagano discussed what the team liked about the linebacker on Xtra 1360 Fox Sports Radio with Judson Richards (via ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams): “ He’s mean. He’s tough. He tackles. He’s somebody that’s going to hit you. He’s not just going to try and tackle you. He’s trying to run through you, and that’s something that every defense is looking for. He’s got great instincts, and that makes up for the so-called lack of speed. He plays faster than he’s timed.”Te'o and Butler simply don't bring the same intensity to the position, and it's particularly evident in the Chargers' inability to stop the run, as the team finished 26th overall against opposing ground games last season. Perryman will almost certainly get a chance to start at some point during the upcoming season if recent history is any indication. It's unlikely he'll surrender the role once he's in it. If the Chargers are competing at a high level and his aggressive nature is a big part of their defense, Perryman will draw a lot of attention for his ability to be a impact player.10. Amari Cooper
Brynn Anderson/Associated Press The Oakland Raiders' offseason plan was simple: provide weapons for second-year quarterback Derek Carr. General manager Reggie McKenzie did very little to do so during free agency. The team's three additions at wide receiver, running back and tight end won't have a major impact on the overall offensive game plan. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree was added late in the process and is considered a possession receiver, running back Trent Richardson is now on his third team in three years and tight end Lee Smith is more of a blocker than a pass-catcher. Instead, McKenzie waited until the draft to add legitimate impact players at the skill positions. The crown jewel of the Raiders' draft class was Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper left Alabama's illustrious football program as its all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Last season, the wide receiver won the Biletnikoff Award after leading the nation with 127 receptions which resulted in 1,727 yards. The Raiders then made Cooper the first wide receiver selected in this year's draft class. The organization felt so secure in his ability to quickly become Carr's No. 1 target that it released last year's leading receiver, James Jones, less than a week after Cooper became the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. The young wide receiver with smooth route-running skills transitioned well in his first camp with the Raiders. "It went exactly how I thought it would go," Cooper told The Associated Press (via USA Today). "It went pretty good. I made a couple of plays. We looked good out there as a team."While the Raiders' plan was simple, the execution may prove to be a little more difficult. Cooper will certainly produce, but he'll need to grow and develop alongside a young quarterback. After all, Jones led the team a year ago with an underwhelming 73 receptions for 666 yards. Cooper should be expected to produce at a higher level, but defenses will also be sliding coverage to his side since he's now the primary threat in the Raiders offense.9. Nelson Agholor
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Is it Chip Kelly's system or is it the player? Over the past two seasons, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin posted nearly identical numbers in receptions, receiving yardage and touchdowns. Yet, Jackson was released by the team before the 2013 season, while the organization allowed Maclin to leave via free agency this offseason. Who is going to give the offense its 80-plus receptions for 1,300 yards and nearly 10 touchdowns as the team's No. 1 wide receiver this fall? It could very well be the team's first-round selection, USC's Nelson Agholor. The 6'0", 198-pound Agholor is eerily similar in stature and physical ability to Maclin, but Kelly doesn't necessarily see him as the same type of receiver. According to Philly.com's Jeff McLane, Kelly considered Maclin an "outside, down-the-line receiver," whereas Agholor is more of an "inside, outside guy."The one thing both Jackson and Maclin proved capable of doing was threatening defenses vertically. Agholor was considered more of a nuanced route-runner and reliable target as a prospect. If he proves to be that same downfield threat, Jordan Matthews can continue to work in the slot while Agholor develops into the team's new top target. And the USC product would do so in one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Kelly thinks Agholor could be that type of player. "I think he's got good linear speed that can get down the field, and I think people will have to be leery about that," the Eagles head coach said. With all eyes on Kelly and what he'll do next, a rookie performance along the lines of the Eagles' previous two top receivers will make Agholor one of the most talked about first-year contributors in the NFL. 8. Marcus Mariota
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Let's just say, not everyone in the Tennessee Titans locker room was thrilled with the selection of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota as the second overall pick in the NFL draft. Others on the team know exactly what the pick means to them and the organization. Tight end Delanie Walker summed it perfectly, per ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky: “ You better adjust or you won’t be in the locker room. That’s just how it works. This is a business. At the end of he day, Zach [Mettenberger] is our friend, we hang out with him, but it comes down to who’s going to help us win the game, who’s going to be the better quarterback for us this year. … Everyone knows if you’re No. 1 or No. 2, you’re probably going to play, that’s just how it works.”This is only one of the issues Mariota will face as he takes over a directionless franchise. The narrative all along surrounding the Oregon product is that he'll require time to develop in an NFL system after playing in the Ducks' uptempo spread scheme. This was generally overblown, but the Titans have gone in the completely opposite direction with expectations of Mariota being "given every opportunity" to open the season as the team's starting quarterback, per ProFootballTalk.com. When these two issues are factored into the equation and the team's lack of talent at the skill positions is added, there are bound to be growing pains for the talented signal-caller. The team's top receiver last season was Walker, who registered 63 receptions for 890 yards.If Justin Hunter or Kendall Wright can take the next step and the team's running attack improves, Mariota can be special early in his career. Maybe second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham matures and quickly becomes the neophyte quarterback's favorite target. One way or another, Mariota will need help. The native Hawaiian has all of the necessary tools to develop into a franchise quarterback. It's the current state of the Titans franchise that keeps Mariota from being higher on this list. 7. Todd Gurley