Rookies will have an unusually tough go of things in the 2020 NFL season. The lack of physical preparation time with their new coaches and teammates, prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, makes an already difficult ramp-up time even more severe.
Kyler Murray, the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year, had the perfect triumvirate of starting opportunity, a set of schemes favorable to his skill set, and the talent to make the most of it all.
Here, in reverse order, are the rookies with the best chance to mirror Murray’s success — and take home the award that’s now his.
Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Washington Redskins
New Redskins head coach Ron Rivera has intimated that over time, he may use Gibson as he used Christian McCaffrey with the Panthers — as a five-tool, yards after catch monster. Gibson needs work with the finer points of the running back position, and with a full route tree as a receiver, which is why he went in the third round instead of the first. But there’s no denying his explosive potential — in 2019 for Memphis, he broke 16 tackles on 33 rushing attempts, and 17 tackles on 38 catches. Moreover, he averaged an insane 11.2 yards per carry as a runner. Gibson is raw, but he’ll add a ton to Washington’s offense.
Zack Moss, RB, Buffalo Bills
Moss somehow fell to the 86th overall pick in the third round despite his three-year run of 1,000-yard seasons with Utah. He’ll have to share time with Devin Singletary in Buffalo’s backfield, but this is a guy who broke 89 tackles last season and gained 1,042 yards after contact. With toughness and agility, he brings another former Bills draft pick — Marshawn Lynch — to mind.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
First overall draft pick Joe Burrow will enjoy throwing to Higgins, the Clemson alum, who was selected with the first overall pick in the second round. He was debited a bit in a deep receiver class, but he brings A.J. Green — who Burrow will also be throwing to — to mind with his wild catch radius, deep speed, and ability to make the contested catch. His combination of size (6’4″, 205 pounds) and vertical production (15 catches and six touchdowns on passes of 20 or more air yards) is unmatched in this class.
Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ running back situation is up in the air as Todd Gurley is now in Atlanta, and Darrell Henderson is more of a situational back. Akers was selected with the 52nd overall pick in the second round after gaining 1,144 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns on just 231 carries. That he did so in Florida State’s dumpster fire of an offense augurs well for his NFL future, and he won’t lack for opportunities.