NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds: First glance at interesting candidates
The 2023 NFL Draft is in our rearview mirror, and a first look at how this year's rookie class will be used is still a few months away. Nevertheless, the markets for both Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year are up, and, as expected, they don't necessarily reflect the real-life order in which the players were selected.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
| PLAYER | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | +300 |
| Bryce Young | +450 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | +750 |
| C.J. Stroud | +800 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | +900 |
| Anthony Richardson | +1000 |
| Jordan Addison | +1800 |
| Quentin Johnston | +2000 |
| Zay Flowers | +2000 |
| Jalin Hyatt | +2500 |
| Will Levis | +2500 |
| Zach Charbonnet | +2500 |
| Josh Downs | +3000 |
| Cedric Tillman | +4000 |
| Dalton Kincaid | +4000 |
| Devon Achane | +4000 |
| Hendon Hooker | +4000 |
| Michael Mayer | +4000 |
| Rashee Rice | +4000 |
| Roschon Johnson | +4000 |
| Tyjae Spears | +4000 |
Others listed at theScore Bet at 50-1 or longer
Top favorite pick: Bryce Young (+450)
Bijan Robinson was the first non-quarterback offensive player to be selected - a modern rarity for running backs. The Falcons picking the Texas tailback that high suggests he'll get ample usage for a team that ranked just behind the Eagles in carries per game and second to the Bears in rushing play percentage.
While that path is obvious, and non-quarterbacks have won OROY back-to-back years, this is still an award that the new quarterbacks get first crack at with voters. Rookie signal-callers didn't get much run in 2022, so a good season for a quarterback will be that much more notable this coming season.
One element in trading up from the ninth slot - as the Panthers did - is that Carolina isn't as bad as a team usually awarded the top choice. Young - the 2021 Heisman winner and a contender for the award last year - isn't merely a nominal first overall pick talent-wise and now gets to work with Frank Reich. There's also no real reason he shouldn't start all 17 games, barring injury.
Mid-tier contender: Quentin Johnston (+2000)
With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams back on board for 2023, you might wonder why the Chargers burned their first-round pick on a wide receiver (and added Johnston's TCU receiver teammate Derius Davis in the fourth round). But the writing is on the wall for each incumbent's health; Allen missed almost half of last season, and Williams left two of his 13 games very early.
This is almost certainly the last chance for both Allen and Williams to prove their availability, and NFL players rarely get healthier throughout their careers. Johnston lined up all over the field at TCU, and now he'll catch passes from Justin Herbert - well-accustomed to spreading the ball around - in a Kellen Moore-called offense. Moore's Cowboys offense heavily featured all three top receiving options last season.
Long shot of interest: Devon Achane (+4000)
Quick - who's your favorite Dolphins' ball carrier to start in fantasy football the last five seasons? Raheem Mostert? Myles Gaskin? Salvon Ahmed? Frank Gore? Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 2019 Dolphins' rushing leader?
The point is: The Dolphins' primary tailback spot is very much up for grabs. Achane, the third-round pick from Texas A&M, was an explosive runner against high-level SEC competition. He ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and should get a shot at carrying the ball in what could be one of the league's most devastating offenses. A 1200-yard season in Miami - the first 1000-yard Dolphin rusher since 2016 - would be enough to get some serious attention from Rookie of the Year voters.
Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.