NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds: Chase favored after record start

In a rookie class headlined by a historically touted crop of quarterbacks, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase entered the season playing catch-up in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year market. Now, the rest of the field is chasing him.

The electric wideout is the new favorite to win the award (+380) after torching the Pittsburgh Steelers for two touchdowns a week ago. With that performance, Chase ranks second in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (four) and sixth in yards per target (13.8) while leading all rookie receivers in yards (220) and first downs (eight), helping Cincinnati to a surprising 2-1 record through three weeks.

He's setting records along the way, too. Chase is the 10th player in the Super Bowl era with a touchdown catch in each of his first three career games, and the first to take all of them 30-plus yards. He's also the youngest player (21) in NFL history with four receiving scores through his first three contests, breaking a record previously set by Randy Moss. How's that for elite company?

The same can't be said for his competition, which might be Chase's biggest advantage in this market.

Preseason favorite Trevor Lawrence has seven interceptions and two fumbles thus far, becoming just the fifth quarterback since the merger with multiple interceptions in each of his first three games. Zach Wilson has also thrown an NFL-worst seven picks and has more losses (three) than touchdowns (two). Justin Fields has been a downright disaster through six-plus quarters and Trey Lance has seen the field for all of seven snaps during his team's 2-1 start.

The biggest threat is Mac Jones, the fifth quarterback taken in April but the only one with more than 225 passing yards per game. Even his resume comes with concern: he's thrown more interceptions (three) than touchdowns (two) and simply doesn't have the weaponry nor the rushing ability to put up gaudy numbers as a rookie.

This is setting up as a year for a skill-position player to win this award, and Chase is the clear front-runner among that group. There's a case to be made for Najee Harris - who's essentially the Steelers' entire offense right now - or even Rondale Moore, who's been a sparkplug for the Arizona Cardinals' dynamic passing attack.

But neither has the talent, opportunity, and production of Chase, who's running away with this award after just three weeks. And if he keeps up this pace, nobody will be able to catch him - on the field or in this market.

C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at [email protected].