The AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award (OROY) is the coveted award among the NFL’s debutants. As it is an annual award adjudicated by a nationwide panel of 50 members of the Associated Press that cover the NFL, it’s the ultimate validation of a player’s performance in his peer group.
So, who is the favorite for the OROY award going into 2022? Who are the contenders and the longshots? Read on as we look at some of these and weigh in on the OROY market with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review) below.
Why You Shouldn’t Always Go for the Favorites
The 2022 NFL Draft class served up a swash of offensive players, all of which have a legitimate claim to the OROY award. Of course, oddsmakers have their ideas about which of these players are the best bets and toward that end, they’ve rolled out the OROY betting market. But it’s worth noting that they don’t always get it right.
For instance, going into 2021, No.1 draft pick Trevor Lawrence was the top favorite to win the OROY award. He was touted as a generational talent and a dream quarterback that was going to be the envy of the league. Tale told Lawrence was anything but in his rookie season.
The ultimate winner was Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase. But the voting came down to Chase and the surprisingly overlooked rookie quarterback, Mac Jones, who went 15th overall to the New England Patriots and was a bit of a longshot bet early on according to sports betting markets.
AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
Kenny Pickett (+650)
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett currently headlines this market. However, the rookie signal-caller is expected to battle Mitch Trubisky for the starting job.
If Pickett is to win the OROY award, he’ll have to play the bulk of Pittsburgh’s schedule otherwise he probably won’t qualify. Chargers quarterback, Justin Herbert, was the last quarterback to win the award without playing all 16 games in his rookie season. Herbert got the start in week 2.
Breece Hall (+900)
New York Jets rookie running back Breece Hall is expected to hit the ground running in his first NFL season. There are quite a few stellar running backs from the 2022 NFL Draft class, but Hall could be in the best position.
Hall fills an immediate need for the Jets, which means he could make an immediate impact. The last running back to pick up this award was Saquon Barkley in 2018
Chris Olave (+900)
The New Orleans Saints selected wide receiver Chris Olave 11th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Ohio State pass catcher is tipped as the second-best bet along with Breece Hall, Skyy Moore, and James Cook.
Olave will likely learn and play alongside Michael Thomas. Whether the kid is allowed to shine, remains to be seen.
Skyy Moore (+900)
Could Skyy Moore be the next Tyreek Hill for the Kansas City Chiefs? Certainly, Patrick Mahomes will be hoping that’s the case as he looks ahead to his first-ever season without his trusted weapon by his side.
If Moore can fill the big shoes Hill leaves behind, watch out. He’ll definitely be a bet to consider for the OROY seriously. The Sky is the limit, as they say.
James Cook (+900)
Rookie running back James Cook is headed to the Buffalo Bills. As far as assignments go, the Georgia Bulldog couldn’t have picked a better team than Buffalo – this year’s early Super Bowl favorites. However, the Bills don’t really have a run game. Well, they didn’t have much of one last year.
Cook is probably going to play a role in developing that side of Buffalo’s offense. However, Allen’s big arm and the signal-caller’s penchant to look downfield for the big plays could limit the opportunities for Cook in the run game. So despite his favorable NFL odds, he may not be in the best position to win this award.
Garrett Wilson (+1600)
New York Jets’ rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson is an interesting outside bet to consider for the OROY award. The Jets had a fantastic draft, picking up a slew of enviable talent in the first round. Wilson could have an impact in his rookie season, but a lot depends on whether the Jets highlight the passing game enough to give him the opportunity to shine.
Matt Corral (+2000)
The Carolina Panthers just signed Baker Mayfield to their roster. The Cleveland Browns’ cast-off expects to be the Panthers’ starter in Week 1, otherwise, he wouldn’t have signed the dotted line. However, the NFL is a tough gig. And head coach Matt Rhule is on the hot seat. One can expect Mayfield to have a short leash as a result.
If Mayfield struggles or succumbs to injury early in the season, rookie quarterback Matt Corral could get the nod. It’s a long-shot bet, but anything can happen.
Keep in mind that the 2020 OROY winner, Justin Herbert, wasn’t the starter in Week 1 for the Los Angeles Chargers. An unexpected injury to Tyrod Taylor in Week 2 paved the way for Herbert’s debut and he never looked back.
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