The NFL handed out its awards last night, with Lamar Jackson winning MVP and Michael Thomas the Offensive Player of the Year, among others. One of the more surprising ones was Kyler Murray winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

This is not to suggest Murray wasn't deserving, just an acknowledgment that more commonly the award goes to a running back (Saquon Barkley last year). Four of the last six winners have been runners, with one quarterback (Dak Prescott in 2016) and one wide receiver (Odell Beckham in 2014). And there were a couple of impressive candidates, like 1,000-yard runner Josh Jacobs and 1,000-yard receiver A.J. Brown.

But Murray had an excellent season, passing for 3,722 yards and running for 544 more. Great fantasy season, too. This century, only three rookie quarterbacks have finished with more fantasy points (1 point for every 10 rushing or 20 passing yards, with 4-point TD passes and 6-point TD runs).

ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS, FF POINTS (2000-PRESENT)
YearPlayerYdsTDP2 PtYdsTDPts
2011Cam Newton, Car.405121270614445
2012Andrew Luck, Ind.43742302555366
2012Robert Griffin III, Was.32002008157364
2019Kyler Murray, Ariz.37222035444351
2015Jameis Winston, T.B.40422212106349
2016Dak Prescott, Dall.36672302826340
2012Russell Wilson, Sea.31182604894333
2018Baker Mayfield, Clev.37252721310311
2019Daniel Jones, NYG30272422792291
2019Gardner Minshew, Jac.32712133440288
2016Carson Wentz, Phil.37821621502284
2013Geno Smith, NYJ30461203666273
2011Andy Dalton, Cin.33982001521271
2015Marcus Mariota, Tenn.28181932523270
2017DeShone Kizer, Clev.28941104195261
2010Sam Bradford, St.L.3512180631260
2012Christian Ponder, Min.29351812532258
2006Vince Young, Ten.21991215527257
2018Josh Allen, Buff.20741016318257
2014Derek Carr, Oak.3270210920257
2008Matt Ryan, Atl.34401611041254
2012Ryan Tannehill, Mia.32941222112250
2001Chris Weinke, Car.29311101286239
2008Joe Flacco, Balt.29711411802237
2012Brandon Weeden, Clev.33851401110236
2014Blake Bortles, Jac.29081114190233
2014Teddy Bridgewater, Min.29191422091233
2004Carson Palmer, Cin.2897182471232
2018Sam Darnold, NYJ28651701381231
2003Byron Leftwich, Jac.28191401082220
2004Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.26211701441219
2013Mike Glennon, T.B.2608190370210
2017Deshaun Watson, Hou.16991922692204
2009Mark Sanchez, NYJ24441221063203

A good year for rookie quarterbacks. Daniel Jones and Gardner Minshew weren't Week 1 starters, but both also finished with impressive campaigns. Between their passing and rushing production, both also finished as top-10 rookie quarterbacks over the last 20 years.

A quick glance at the list shows that it's too soon to say any of three will go on to be superstars, NFL or fantasy. The presence of Robert Griffin, Marcus Mariota, DeShone Kizer and Geno Smith in the top 20 makes that clear.

But I think it's pretty likely that Murray, at least, keeps things going and builds on this in years to come. Jones probably; Minshew, we'll see.

--Andy Richardson