Bengals 2017 season awards: Rookie of the Year

The Cincinnati Bengals had 11 picks in this past draft class, but it ended up producing mixed results. No. 9 overall pick, John Ross, had just one touch on the entire season, while the team cut Jake Elliott and J.J. Dielman before the season began.

Still, there were a handful of players they relied on in their rookie year and they stepped up for the team in a variety of ways. Here are the nominees for the Bengals’ 2017 Rookie of the Year.

Running back Joe Mixon: The Bengals grabbed a polarizing prospect in the second round, but he ended up producing for Cincinnati behind a poor offensive line. He had 626 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, while also amassing 30 receptions for 287 yards.

Linebacker/Defensive end Carl Lawson: People knew the Bengals grabbed value when they selected Lawson at the top of the fourth round and he didn’t disappoint. After flashing in the preseason, he finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks and was a Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team selection.

Wide receiver Josh Malone: The 21-year old didn’t have outrageous numbers, but showed a knack for that big-play ability he had in college at Tennessee. He only had six catches, but three of them went for first downs, along with 63 yards and a 25-yard score.

Defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow: The Bengals wanted to get younger and more active on the defensive line, as they invested yet another fourth round pick on an interior defensive lineman. Glasgow was active in a rotational role, racking up 23 total tackle, with 11 of them of the solo variety and three stuffed plays.

Linebacker Jordan Evans: The team’s athletic sixth round selection got more playing time as the year wore on and finished with 38 total tackles, three stuffed plays and two passes defended. His biggest statistical game was against the Bears, where he had 10 total tackles and two stuffs.

Who gets your vote for the Bengals’ 2017 Rookie of the Year?