The National Football League always sees an influx of talent come in from the draft and immediately hit the ground running. Every year, we see dynamic rookies at every position exceed expectations, and the Rookie of the Year trophy honors these elite players. This year’s offensive class looks poised to be exciting, and the odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year have already hit gambling sites worldwide.
Some players stand as the clear favorites for this award, according to bookmakers. Let’s look at some incoming rookies with the highest odds of receiving this trophy.
Bijan Robinson (+280)
Bijan Robinson is the presumptive favorite on major betting sites like NeoBet, and it is not hard to see why. Robinson is one of the best running back prospects we have seen in recent years, and he is starting his career on an offense that will get him the ball often. The Atlanta Falcons are set to have a mindset oriented toward running the ball, and the talented Robinson will get the lion’s share of carries. He is also expected to be an elite pass catcher almost immediately and could put up an electric rookie season similar to the one Saquon Barkley had in 2018.
Bryce Young (+425)
Bryce Young was the first player taken in the draft, but sportsbooks have him at the #2 spot for the Rookie of the Year chase. Young was an elite quarterback at Alabama, winning the Heisman trophy despite his diminutive build. Now, Young is taking over as the starter for the Carolina Panthers. He’ll have to deal with mediocre offensive weapons and an offensive line with some holes, but if he can look competent in his first year, he could win. In a weak NFC South, Young could make some serious noise.
Anthony Richardson (+550)
Anthony Richardson was considered a massive project when the Indianapolis Colts drafted him with the fourth overall pick. The quarterback from Florida is one of the most incredible athletes we’ve ever seen at the position, but he is incredibly raw. But the Colts like what they’ve seen from Richardson so far and named him the starter. He has the physical traits to immediately be an elite running quarterback, but passing questions are valid. Still, Richardson could put his incredible tools to work straight away and shine, and it wouldn’t come as a massive shock if he surpassed the other quarterback for the big award.
C.J. Stroud (+800)
C.J. Stroud’s odds look like a great value. Stroud was an exceptional quarterback at Ohio State, was picked 2nd overall in the draft, and is going to be the starter for the Houston Texans. Yet his odds are far behind the other two first-round QBs. Stroud will be playing with questionable wide receivers, but there is still talent in the skill position group. If he can show himself to be the poised, accurate quarterback he was in school, he’ll exceed expectations. Stroud had some massive games in college, and he can be that guy in the league, too.
Jahmyr Gibbs (+900)
The Detroit Lions shocked the NFL world when they drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th pick in the first round. Despite the perceived riskiness of such a decision, they added a unique talent in Gibbs. Gibbs is an insanely dynamic receiver out of the backfield, has rare explosiveness, and could immediately be a big-play threat. The Lions will scheme him the ball often, and there are many who think that could result in the type of massive season that leads to trophies. If Gibbs is featured in Detroit, he is a better contender than his odds indicate.
