PFF Rookie of the Year race: Jarvis Landry 'one to watch'

Pro Football Focus has updated their weekly Race for the Rookie of the Year standings, with players like Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack and St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald leading the way. As we close in on the eighth game of the season, the halfway mark of their 2014 season, the Miami Dolphins have a rookie who could find his way into the race.

Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry finds himself listed as the first player in the "Five to Watch" section of the article. About Landry, PFF author Khaled Elsayed writes:

Worth keeping an eye on to see if his role can grow. Doesn't hurt that he contributes well on special teams.

The Dolphins seem to be ready to do exactly that, grow Landry's role. He seems to have solidified himself as the team's top slot receiver, and he should see the number of snaps played, as well as his targets and receptions increase. He currently has 25 receptions for 255 yards with one touchdown. All three of those numbers have him second on the team behind Mike Wallace. His 33 targets places him fourth, behind Wallace (59) and a tie between Brian Hartline and Charles Clay (35 each).

Landry's special teams work, specifically on kickoff returns, has been special. He currently leads the NFL with a 31.3 yards per return average on kickoffs. He has returned at least one kick for 30 yards in each of the team's last three games, with a season high 74 yarder earlier in the year. His return work lead to his being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October.