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NFL awards: Wide open Rookie of the Year races so far in 2019

By A.J. Fagerlin

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks off the field during halftime against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks off the field during halftime against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams straight arms M.J. Stewart #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before running in for a touchdown in the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Tampa Bay won 55-40. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams straight arms M.J. Stewart #36 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before running in for a touchdown in the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Tampa Bay won 55-40. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Comeback Player of the Year

Cooper Kupp, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams

In the Rams week 10 game a season ago against the Seahawks, Cooper Kupp suffered a torn ACL and was out for the rest of the season. That season included a playoff run and a Super Bowl appearance that Kupp was forced to sit out of due to injury.

Kupp rehabbed quickly and effectively, as he was ready to go to begin the season. What has he done to this point on the year? He has the second most receiving yards in the entire league. Kupp has 32 receptions for 388 yards and three touchdowns. At this rate, Kupp is on pace for over 120 catches, over 1,200 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. Not to mention on a team with two other phenomenal weapons in Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods who take targets away from him.

Kupp burst onto the scene in 2017 as a third-round pick out of Eastern Washington, racking up 869 yards and five touchdowns his rookie season. Last year, despite missing his team’s final six games, Kupp caught 6 touchdowns and totaled 566 receiving yards. After a torn ACL, Kupp seems to have come back even better than ever.

Jimmy Garoppolo will also be in consideration for this honor after missing nearly the entire season last year and now having the 49ers sitting at an undefeated 3-0 coming off of their bye. If the 49ers do make the playoffs, especially if they win the division, Jimmy G may have the upper hand for this award, but right now Kupp has been to impressive to deny.

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