Cincinnati Bengals: 2016 Season Awards

Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) takes the field during player introductions prior to the game against the St. Louis Rams at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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December 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft (81) is congratulated by wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) and wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) for scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi /

The Rookie of the Year award is kind of an nonexistent award in Cincinnati. The Bengals’ under Marvin Lewis like to employ a redshirt season for most rookies, which is why the don’t really play. However at the beginning of the year, I was ecstatic by the Bengals’ draft class after round two (I am still not a fan of taking back to back tackles in the first two rounds).

Although my pick for rookie of the year then, was Paul Dawson. Yet, with him being redshirted who really was the ROY?

The only pick that I can really say is former Scarlet Knight, tight end Tyler Kroft. While Kroft was primarily the blocking tight end behind Tyler Eifert, when he actually got the chance to catch a pass, he actually did a good job. Kroft played well towards the end of the season when Eifert was out and McCarron needed help in the passing game.

During the draft, I enjoyed the Tyler Kroft pick although, I did not like the selection of it being so early in the third round. However, I do believe Cincinnati made the correct choice in selecting him. Kroft was by far the most impressive rookie.

ROY: Tyler Kroft

Next: Comeback Player of the Year