Panthers' steal of the 2024 draft labeled dark horse Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate

When the Carolina Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks No. 46 overall, the team believed it was getting a difference maker.

Now, Brooks is getting buzz as a dark horse Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate from Bleacher Report .

"In a critical season for quarterback Bryce Young, I can see Carolina and Young leaning heavily on the former Texas star as both a rusher and receiver," Brad Gagnon writes . "It's complicated by the presence of Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, but neither inspires a lot of confidence right now."

Brooks is coming off an ACL injury. All reports suggest that he will be ready to go come the start of NFL training camp, meaning he can hit the ground running.

The rookie running back has labeled the injury as a "blessing" in disguise, as he has used it to ease into his NFL career.

"When I got injured, I’d be lying if I said my mind didn’t go everywhere,” Brooks said. “I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen. And instantly by a day or two after, my mind got right.

“You gotta be mentally tough more than anything. Physically, obviously, it gets better. Mentally, it gets better. But for me, it was more mentally. As far as rehab, it’s just the mental part of it that’s the hardest part to get through.

“But I feel like it’s a blessing in disguise. God tested me. He’s making me a tougher person. But I’m still just blessed to be here, even regarding my situation.”

That is a mentality the Panthers ought to like in a rookie running back. It also may play a role in Brooks earning an offensive award most wouldn't expect.

Related: Carolina Panthers find their next Christian McCaffrey in 2nd Round of NFL Draft with Jonathon Brooks of Texas