The nominees are in for the AP Rookie of the Year, and there’s some stiff competition this year.
This year’s number 1 overall draft pick Cam Newton leads the class again, as he exceeded the high expectations he was carrying, and turned in the best rookie year any quarterback ever has. Newton completed 60 percent of his passes for 4,051 passing yards (breaking Peyton Manning’s rookie record), along with 21 TDs and 17 INTs.
In addition, he was a dual threat while also accumulating 706 rushing yards with 14 rushing TDs, breaking the record for rushing TDs by a quarterback.
The other nominees are:
49ers linebacker Aldon Smith led the team and was tied for fifth in the league with 14 sacks, along with 4 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles. Smith was a key addition to the 49ers defense that was second in the league in points allowed, giving up only 14.3 points per game, while setting a record for allowing the fewest rushing TDs in NFL history.
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has led the Bengals back into the playoffs, accumulating a 9-7 record while throwing for 3,389 yards, with 20 TDs and 13 INTs, along with a 58.1 completion percentage.
Broncos linebacker Von Miller racked up 11.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles while leading a resurgent Broncos defense that has put the Broncos back into the playoffs and kept them in close games all season long.
Cardinals cornerback / punt returner Patrick Peterson, who finished first in the league in punt return yardage and second in average return, plus a record-tying 4 punt returns for touchdowns over the course of the season. Peterson also made 64 tackles, 2 interceptions and a sack on defense.
