10 leading candidates for rookie of the year
By Andrew Garda
Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears
One of the best picks of the 2015 NFL Draft, Kevin White filled a pretty big need for the Chicago Bears after trading Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets this offseason. They needed a weapon across from Alshon Jeffery and in White they have the perfect guy.
Of course, that right there is a reason this could be a tough award for White to win. After all, the lion’s share of the targets will be heading towards Jeffery, which limits what White can do.
Or does it? While yes, the targets will largely head towards Jeffery, so will the coverage. And while Jeffery has been adept at escaping corners in the last year or so, a little safety help over the top or some jamming at the line and quarterback Jay Cutler might be forced to look another way.
Now, that could be tight end Martellus Bennett or even running back Matt Forte in an outlet pass, but sometimes it’s going to be White because of what he can do.
White is super-fast (4.35 40-yard dash at the combine) and he plays just as fast in a game as he does in shorts on a track. He improved every year at West Virginia, and was handed a lot of different routes to deal with in his last year. His speed and route running help to create separation and he can beat press coverage as well.
He’s got the tools, but as with Amari Cooper, he is going to have to adjust to the better, faster and more physical defenses the NFL has to offer. He’s also got Jay Cutler at quarterback and Cutler can be wildly inconsistent.
It may be too much to ask of a rookie receiver to take all of that on, plus a grumpy quarterback.
Next: Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams