X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RotoBaller Writer Predictions: 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year

The RotoBaller NFL writing team casts its votes for who will be the Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2016 NFL season.

This is the fourth installment of our series where RotoBaller's football writers give you their predictions for the upcoming NFL and fantasy football season.

In this article, we will get the predictions on who will be win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Predictions

 

Laremy Tunsil, Dolphins OL

Joey Christopoulos (Tudddyguy)

Ezekiel Elliott is everyone's presumable choice, but I'm going to go with Laremy Tunsil. That's right, Ol' Gas-mask himself. Despite falling in the draft, Tunsil is still a supreme talent. The work that new Dolphins head coach Adam Gase did last year with Chicago's offense has Bears fans gushing about the future potential of former 7th round pick Charles Leno Jr. A year under Gase alongside a Ryan Tannenhill resurgence and a stud on the offensive line like Tunsil could finally cast the Dolphins off on the right course.

 

Sterling Shepard, Giants WR

Andrew Bua (@Andrew_Bua)

I’m rolling with an upset for this award. With the way Ezekiel Elliot is being heralded, one would think he not only has Offensive Rookie of the Year locked up, but has a spot in Canton as well. While there’s little doubt Elliot will be a star, the burden that he is expected to carry in his rookie season could end up being too great. Playing a position where he won’t get as beat up as Elliot, having Odell Beckham Jr. on the other side to draw multiple defenders on every play, as well as having bombs-away Eli Manning as his QB, puts Sterling Shepard in an excellent position to put up some serious numbers from an early standpoint.

Joe Sorensen

Even though Shepard is not one of the obvious choices, since he was not a first-round pick, he is in a situation that fits his skill set perfectly. Shepard should start the season lining up opposite one of the most explosive wide receivers in the game, Odell Beckham Jr., which will allow Shepard to see single coverage most of the time. In college and during training camp, Shepard has consistently shown the ability to get open and read defenses. With Eli Manning throwing the ball around in Bob McAdoo’s pass-happy offense, Shepard should see plenty of opportunities this season.

Nate Williams (@FFCatalyst)

The obvious choice here is Ezekiel Elliot, however, you should also look for Sterling Shepherd to catch a ton of passes from Eli Manning. Playing opposite of Odell Beckham Jr., it will be hard for defenses to contain both of these play makers, leaving Shepherd as very likely to prosper.

 

Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys RB

Pierre Camus (@Pfunk00)

I was tempted to zig here because I know everyone else will zag, but it's too hard to deny Elliott's potential. There is good reason that the rookie RB is unanimously being selected in the first round, even in re-draft leagues. The Cowboys still boast the top offensive line in the league, and having a promising young quarterback in Dak Prescott should solidify the offense as a solid unit. The only thing that could hold Elliott back is injury, but he showed no signs of fragility in college. To pick against him would be...unwise.

Bryan Levin

Coming into a strong, established offense with arguably the NFL's best offensive line, the former Buckeye is the no-brainer choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year this season. Look for the Cowboys to rely heavily on the fourth overall selection in this year's draft to bring back the strong running game that DeMarco Murray supplied during the 2014 season.

Andrew C. Lovell (@Andrew_Lovell)

Elliott is an easy choice, but sometimes, the obvious pick is the right one. The supremely talented Elliott will get a full workload behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Recent history is also on his side -- two of the last three Offensive Rookies of the Year have been running backs (Todd Gurley, Eddie Lacy).

Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21)

Ezekiel Elliot will win this award and it won’t be close. No rookie will ever come into the NFL better set up for instant success than Elliot is this season. He is behind the best offensive line in the league, and has the ability to be a three-down back due to his excellent receiving and pass-blocking skills. He is poised to be the Offensive ROY in the NFL and in fantasy, as his draft stock would indicate. This kid isn’t going to bust; the skill is off the charts and the situation is just too perfect.   

Cliff Clinton (@CliffClinton)

2015 was the Dallas Cowboys “worst-case scenario” season; what if your quarterback breaks down, and your wide receivers break down, and the only thing we can do is run the ball with Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle? So the Cowboys, despite all conventional drafting advice, went early in the draft to get their guy when nearly anyone would have benefited from running behind the league’s best offensive line. Nope, the Cowboys gave the golden ticket to the guy any other team would’ve drafted to compensate for their terrible line. Preseason has shown us what we wanted to know for sure; yes, Ezekiel Elliott is the rookie with the clearest path to being the best offensive player on his team from the start, the most consistent work, and the role of Offensive Rookie of the Year.

 

Derrick Henry, Titans RB

Tyger McGuiggan (@Tyger_McG)

In order for the Titans to improve on their win total from last year, they will need to improve their running game. If that happens,  I expect Henry to be a big part of it. Running backs with a lot of mileage rarely age gracefully, so don’t be surprised to see Henry overtake DeMarco Murray as the lead back sometime during the year. If that happens, then an improved Titans win total will largely be credited to Henry and Marcus Mariota.

 

Tyler Boyd, Bengals WR

Nathan Powell (@NPowellFF)

This selection may be on the bolder side of things, but Tyler Boyd was one of the best wide-receiver prospects in the 2016 NFL draft. Boyd landed in an ideal situation as the #2 for the Bengals opposite of A.J. Green. The Bengals will be able to use Boyd as a Swiss Army knife-type asset in their offense, getting him involved in the rushing and passing game. Boyd will have a big year in the Bengals offense and earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP