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We are in the midst of NFL training camps. With the season nearing, many of the stars are drawing headlines around the league, per usual. However, there is also generally a ton of a buzz surrounding incoming rookies during the course of training camp. Who appears to be shining the most early on? Which rookies are in the most appealing situations?
In recent years, the winners of NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year have all been pretty varied, from a positional standpoint. Wide receivers have won the award the last two years, with Garrett Wilson in 2022 and Ja’Marr Chase in 2021. Before that, no other wide receiver had won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014. A quarterback won it in back-to-back seasons in 2019 (Kyler Murray) and in 2020 (Justin Herbert). Finally, a pair of running backs won it in back-to-back years in 2017 (Alvin Kamara) and in 2018 (Saquon Barkley).
As a result, there are going to be many tremendous options for which to buy in on for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. From a quarterback perspective, we just saw three rookie quarterbacks get selected within the first four picks of the 2023 NFL Draft. A pair of running backs went in the top 12 picks, which is essentially unheard of in today’s pass-happy NFL. We also saw all four first-round wide receivers go off the board in four consecutive selections.
Who are some of our favorite betting values for 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? We will list three names that immediately stand out, and list reasons as to why. Let’s kick it off.
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Bijan Robinson: +275 Odds
Bijan Robinson is currently the favorite at DraftKings to win 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. It is easy to imagine why. For starters, this running back is joining an offensive scheme that prioritizes running the football under head coach Arthur Smith. Smith’s offenses generally utilize a fair amount of 12 personnel looks. Running backs can be sprung free by split zone opportunities. In the meantime, Atlanta is also rolling with a younger quarterback in Desmond Ridder, who is still looking to gain more experience.
Robinson will still have to contend with some touches going towards another running back on the depth chart, Tyler Allgeier. But in the end, there may be no offensive rookie that comes close to receiving as many touches as Bijan Robinson. Everyone saw how he could take a game over singlehandedly as a rusher while in college. Meanwhile, his ability to run reliable routes out of the backfield and possess natural hands as a pass catcher also offers intrigue. Even though he is the favorite, Robinson could still offer some fine betting value if he just dominates from wire-to-wire.
Bryce Young: +500 Odds
Bryce Young is second on the betting board for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Despite all of the confidence and hype surrounding Young, there is not as much of a gap in betting odds, between he and the other two first-round QBs. Anthony Richardson (+600 odds) and CJ Stroud (+850 odds) are both third and fourth, respectively, on the betting board.
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For all of the questions about his size, Young makes up for it with his mix of reactionary quickness, football IQ, maneuverability in the pocket and anticipation as a thrower. There may be no quarterback entering the league with the level of smarts that Young has, perhaps since Joe Burrow.
There is also a lot to like about the situation that the Carolina Panthers have built around the rookie quarterback. Veterans like Miles Sanders, Adam Thielen and Hayden Hurst all joined the skill position groups in the offseason. Elsewhere, the offensive coaching staff of Frank Reich, Thomas Brown, Josh McCown, Duce Staley and others have all either been a quarterback themselves or have experience developing younger quarterbacks. The upside of this player, and the narrative around all quarterbacks, could make this a fine betting value for 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Jahmyr Gibbs: +1000 Odds
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Sitting alone at fifth on the betting board for Offensive Rookie of the Year, we have Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs may be the perfect mix of actual betting value at somewhat longer odds, and someone who could potentially produce at the highest rate of any incoming rookie. Gibbs is simply electric as a runner. His ability to make people miss in the open field, win with suddenness in tight areas and long speed are all items that could put defenders in a bind.
Moreover, Gibbs has the chance to receive an adequate workload as a pass catcher right away. He arguably offers more versatility as a pass catcher than what David Montgomery does on the Detroit running back depth chart. On top of that, the Lions are one of a handful of teams who will truly spread the wealth as a passing attack.
Jahymr Gibbs may actually be my favorite pick of any of the options for 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. After night one of this year’s draft, some fans were laughing and mocking the Lions for their selections, especially this one. But overall, Detroit was left to fill final gaps as an up-and-coming team. If Gibbs truly produces like he can right away and the Lions come through as trendy playoff pick, no one will be laughing about him being the 12th overall pick as a running back.
Be on the lookout for more FPC NFL betting articles and analysis in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.