It’s not easy calculating the future, especially when it comes to predicting award-winners. But Zierlien has developed a formula which he explains.
Heading into the 2022 season, it is harder to identify a clear favorite for the award. Projections require a deeper dive into how team situations and offensive designs could factor into each player’s chances. Before I began digging into this exercise, I went mining for a few historical trends that could help piece the puzzle together. Here are a few notable tidbits:
○ Last season, the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase became the first wide receiver to win OROY since 2014 (Odell Beckham Jr.). He was the fourth wideout to win the award over the last 23 seasons.
○ No tight end or offensive lineman has ever won the award.
○ The last former Big 12 running back to win the award was Adrian Peterson with the Vikings in 2007.
○ Ten quarterbacks have won the award since its inception in 1967, but only two of them threw for more than 21 touchdowns as a rookie (Dak Prescott, 23, 2016; Justin Herbert, 31, 2020).
Zierlien gives a breakdown on Walker’s ranking, and why he has potential to rise as a rookie.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at News…