The Top 10 offensive rookie of the year candidates

NFL 2014: Top 10 offensive rookie of the year candidates The Sporting NewsBy Vinnie Iyer @vinnieiyer RSSJuly 30, 2014    11:07pm EDT2014 offensive rookie of the year candidates Competition for NFL offensive rookie of the year begins in training camp, and we won't know who will win until February. We do know that since award was first handed out by the Associated Press in 1967, no offensive lineman or tight end has won it. Last year, Packers running back Eddie Lacy got the AP nod over Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, Sporting News' choice for best rookie. For a change going into this season, wideouts have the edge with the top running backs and quarterbacks in the 2014 NFL Draft fighting for significant roles. Knowing skill positions player all have the edge, the eventual winner tends to win a numbers game. 1  Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo BillsSammy Watkins (AP Photo) The only reports out of Bills camp seem to be about how Watkins is dazzling, catching everything and delivering as EJ Manuel's new go-to wide receiver. That should be expected from a No. 4 overall pick, and Sporting News' pick to receive the rookie of the year award. The Bills will treat him like a No. 1 by feeding him all over the field. His transition to the NFL will have bumps, but his speed and big-play flair will help Watkins get over it. 2  Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans (AP Photo) Evans is trying to get a little trimmer in camp so he can maximize his potential as a fellow 6-5 "twin tower" with venerable Vincent Jackson. Jackson is the right guy to help Evans along. And, Bucs quarterback Josh McCown is used to trusting a pair of big-time targets. Evans is bound to fall short of Watkins in catches and yards as the Bucs' No. 2 receiver, but his huge frame and mitts should have him on top in touchdowns. 3  Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans SaintsBrandin Cooks (AP Photo) The Saints cleared the way for this dynamic speedster — built for the turf of the Superdome — by parting ways with Darren Sproles and Lance Moore during the offseason. Cooks has displayed much of his lightning quickness in camp. Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Kenny Stills will remain Drew Brees' three most reliable targets, but coaches will make sure to Cooks has plenty of chances to provide explosive plays. Unlike Watkins and Evans, his immediate impact will come on a playoff team. 4  Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ersCarlos Hyde (AP Photo)Frank Gore is 31, and at that age, production can take a sudden sharp decline, especially for a back with his kind of mileage. Hyde will get his opportunity to spell Gore often in power sets. Top backup Kendall Hunter is out for the season, and No. 3 Marcus Lattimore is dealing with more knee issues. Even if Gore keeps churning out yards, Hyde will get a healthy dose of carries in the 49ers' high-volume running game. He's the ideal physical back to produce behind their powerful line. 5  Terrance West, RB, Cleveland BrownsTerrance West (AP Photo) West is fighting to be the Browns' bell-cow to start the season over Ben Tate. But regardless of who's the man for Week 1, Tate has durability concerns, while West provides a lot of upside with quick-cut running and receiving skills. In both 2014 and beyond, West is the best option to execute Kyle Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme. Soon, coach Mike Pettine should tab him to be the preferred back in a run-heavy attack6  Bishop Sankey, RB, Tennessee TitansBishop Sankey (AP Photo)So why is the first running back drafted so low on these rankings? Simple. As much as it looked like Sankey would take advantage of the opportunity to get a bulk of the Titans' work, the team is working to reassess his rookie role. There's still Shonn Greene to take some of the power and goal-line duties, and coach Ken Whisenhunt will use Dexter McCluster often as a backfield receiver. We'll cool off on Sankey in the race for now, but if things break his way, at least his situation can help him shoot up this list.7  Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers Kelvin Benjamin (AP Photo) Benjamin makes the cut here over the Giants' Odell Beckham, the Eagles' Jordan Matthews and the Cardinals' John Brown. While all those guys have a chance to be strong No. 3s, there's no doubt Benjamin is the Panthers' No. 1. A left knee bone bruise in camp was a minor setback, but he will emerge as Cam Newton's favorite (big) target. There won't be much volume in terms of targets and catches, but a few long plays and a chunk of touchdowns can put him in the conversation. 8  Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota VikingsTeddy Bridgewater (AP Photo) The Jaguars plan to sit Blake Bortles all season. The Browns don't know when they can roll with Johnny Manziel yet. Bridgewater is also embroiled in a camp battle with a veteran, Matt Cassel, but he's living up to the billing of being the most NFL-ready rookie quarterback. Cassel's hold on No. 1 is tenuous, and once Bridgewater gets his turn, he can lean on a strong supporting cast to make a splash with his arm. The NFC North is a shootout-friendly division, so the faster Bridegwater makes his first start, the sooner he can make a push to move up the list. 9  Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta FalconsDevonta Freeman (AP Photo)Steven Jackson is 31 and just got hamstrung in training camp. That opens the door for Freeman to get plenty of preseason reps as a runner and good-hands receiver. Once Falcons coaches are OK with Freeman in pass protection, there is much to like in him as a complete back who will gradually eat into Jackson's carries, even if the veteran can be healthy for Week 1. The Falcons can't ignore Freeman's  pedigree and fresher legs for too long. 10  Johnny Manziel, QB, Cleveland BrownsJohnny Manziel (AP Photo) We're not totally giving up on his chances to beat out Brian Hoyer. He's been behind early with Hoyer getting all the praise. That can change quickly during a month-long battle, knowing Manziel will be game when the bright lights of preseason action arrive. If Hoyer takes the job right away, Manziel still would have a fair chance to start by midseason. A few Johnny Football highlights here and there would be enough to get him on the radar. It's weird to hold back on quarterbacks in this season's race, but others just have more early potential.