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Why Dante Pettis Can Win Offensive Rookie of the Year

By Roman Tomashoff

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Dante Pettis
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Dante Pettis /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies runs with the football after a reception ahead of defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies runs with the football after a reception ahead of defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos #99 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Don’t Forget Special Teams

Pettis will deliver a significant impact in the punt return game as well.  This young man has a way of gliding on returns to optimize each block and then burst through the open lane.  In the NFL, a solid punt return can mean the difference between a playoff team and a team looking at the NFL Draft board by Thanksgiving Day.

Expect a touchdown in the return game, or maybe even two. The 49ers are desperately in need of a boost there; they haven’t had a punt return TD since 2011. If the NCAA’s all-time leader in punt return TD’s can do what he did with Washington, the 49ers will be set on special teams.

Outshine the competition

Combining all these factors, Pettis has a great chance at the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Yes, Saquon Barkley is going to be great, but that New York Giants line is still unproven. Besides, Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman looks to have a big year too.  Still, those are running backs.  The passing game highlight reels are already earmarked for Garappolo.  And that translates into lots of favorable press coverage for Pettis.  But is that enough for NFL OROY?

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Early conversations may not include him.  Still, any 49ers success will turn the national spotlight his way.  And don’t forget about Pettis in this conversation though, especially in your fantasy football leagues. Look for him to catch six or seven touchdowns this season.  And despite his rookie status, he will haul in between 700-800 yards receiving. Combining that with a couple hundred return yards and say one touchdown sounds like ROY numbers to me.

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