Puka Nacua and Kobie Turner were named finalists for the AP Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards on Thursday, though that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. They were two of the best rookies in the league this season and are squarely in the running for their respective awards.
Nacua is battling C.J. Stroud of the Texans for Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Turner is in the race with Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter, who are among the favorites on the defensive side of the ball.
Below are the finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year, which includes two Detroit Lions.
The finalists for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year! #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/HAbETNBNFv
— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2024
And here are the finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year, which also include Joey Porter Jr. and Devon Witherspoon.
The finalists for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year! #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/WtFzPkptu3
— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2024
Nacua broke the rookie records for receiving yards and receptions in a season, hauling in 105 passes for 1,486 yards. He also finished fourth in the NFL in receiving yards, breaking out in a big way as a fifth-round rookie.
Turner led all rookies with nine sacks, which was also the most on the Rams in 2023. As a third-round pick, Turner shined along the defensive line alongside Aaron Donald.
The winners of these awards will be announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 8.
