One of the best storylines for the rest of the NFL season figures to be the race for rookie of the year.
On offense, the 2015 class has transcendent players at receiver and running back, plus the draft’s top two players—quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Voters will likely need all 17 weeks to decide a winner.
No player has established himself as an obvious favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, although a few are starting to separate from the pack.
Here is how both award races shape up after seven weeks in 2015:
Offensive
1. WR Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
Cooper leads all rookies in receptions (33), receiving yards (519) and receiving touchdowns (three). He already has three 100-yard games in six professional appearances, including Sunday’s 133 yards against the San Diego Chargers. At his current pace, Cooper will catch 88 passes for 1,384 yards and eight scores. The Raiders wanted a difference-making receiver for emerging second-year quarterback Derek Carr. They’ve found one.
2. RB Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams
There’s a good chance Gurley will eventually pass Cooper. Despite making just three starts, Gurley now leads the rookie class in rushing yards (442), yards per carry (6.0), yards after contact (260), runs of 20 or more yards (six) and runs of 40 or more yards (three). His 110.5 rushing yards per game leads the entire NFL, and puts him on pace for almost 1,200 yards. Gurley capped off his third-straight 100-yard game against the Browns on Sunday with his first two professional touchdowns. He’s already one of the game’s best at the position.
3. WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings
If there’s a dark horse candidate in this race, it’s Diggs. Like Gurley, he’s exploded the last three weeks, catching 19 passes for 324 yards. He has back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, and his first NFL touchdown came on a diving reception in the end zone on Sunday against the Lions. Diggs is averaging 17.1 yards per catch and 108.0 receiving yards per game, the latter of which ranks third in the NFL. Could he be this year’s version of Odell Beckham Jr.? If he holds up his current pace over the final 10 games, Diggs will end 2015 with 82 catches and 1,404 yards. Those are Beckham-like numbers.
Honorable mentions: QB Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans; RB T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars; WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Defensive
1. DL Leonard Williams, New York Jets
Generally, a defensive player needs big numbers in terms of tackles, sacks or interceptions to win rookie of the year. Williams hasn’t stood out in any one area—he’s on pace for 50 combined tackles and three sacks—but no defensive rookie has provided more impact. As he did at USC, Williams has been a frequent visitor of opposing backfields. While the return of Sheldon Richardson may hurt him down the stretch, Todd Bowles and the Jets won’t keep a disruptive defensive lineman off the field. Williams looks like the best defensive rookie despite his lack of volume numbers. Will voters agree?
2. CB Ronald Darby, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo’s second-round pick has two interceptions and 34 tackles, and his 14 passes defended lead the NFL. Darby is allowing receptions on less than 50 percent of his targets, with an opposing passer rating of just 48.6. Only Josh Norman, Darrelle Revis and Patrick Peterson have a better mark. The rookie cornerback still hasn’t allowed a touchdown, despite facing the likes of T.Y. Hilton, Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. this season.
3. CB Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs
Peters leads all rookies in interceptions with three. He’s been burned at times—quarterbacks haven’t shied away from throwing in his direction—but Kansas City’s first-round pick has also made as many big plays as any rookie in the class. Peters picked off Brian Hoyer’s first pass of the 2015 season, returned an interception of Peyton Manning for a touchdown and nearly sparked a comeback in Minnesota with a pick of Teddy Bridgewater. The highlights will keep him in the race.
Honorable mentions: LB Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings; DL Henry Anderson, Indianapolis Colts; OLB Hau’oli Kikaha, New Orleans Saints; LB Jordan Hicks, Philadelphia Eagles