NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year betting odds as we near the midway point
The Breece Hall injury shakes up the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year betting market, as the Jets running back was well on his way to bringing home the award win.
It's looking like to be a running back award at this juncture, but there's plenty of season left, which makes now the right time for us to take stock of the favorites and find the best value on the board.
Over the last 10 years, four quarterbacks have won OROY, tied with running backs for the most, followed by two wide receivers winning.
Current Betting Favorites
- Kenneth Walker III, Seattle: +200
- Dameon Pierce, Houston: +300
- Chris Olave, New Orleans: +800
- Brian Robinson Jr., Washington: +1400
- Wan'Dale Robinson, NY Giants: +1800
- Bailey Zappe, New England: +1800
- Drake London, Atlanta: +2000
- George Pickens, Pittsburgh: +2000
- Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City: +2000
- Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh: +2000
The Rashaad Penny injury cleared the way for Kenneth Walker to become the bellcow back in Seattle, and he's taking advantage of the opportunity. Over the past two weeks, Walker has rushed for 265 yards, averaging nearly six yards per carry and scoring three times.
As long as he stays healthy, Walker figures to remain a focal point of this Seattle offense, taking 20+ carries in both of his starts this year. It helps the cause that the Seahawks are a surprising 4-3, good for first place in the NFC West.
Team success doesn't always matter for an award like Rookie of the Year, not like it does for MVP. That would give Dameon Pierce a strong chance for the win out of Houston. Pierce is fifth among running backs in rushing yards this year at 504 yards, and that includes already having had his bye week. Pierce has been a bright spot for the Texans, scoring four touchdowns in six games.
It's a big drop off after that, and we'd be remiss to not mention the quarterback position. We have two rookie passers that have gotten multiple starts this season in Bailey Zappe and Kenny Pickett. It's hard to know what is coming out of New England. The team drafted Mac Jones in the first round last season, but it's clear the offense just looks different with Zappe at the helm.
Bill Belichick has played coy as it relates to his starting quarterback, so it's a bit difficult to put real money on Zappe winning this award right now, despite the hype he's building.
Best value bets
Kenneth Walker
He's the favorite for a reason, and it may not be the flashiest, but betting on Walker at +200 is still a worthwhile exercise.
He's been incredibly efficient on the year, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, and he's going to get the touches to put some serious numbers in this Seattle offense.
Aiding the cause is the overall competitiveness of the Seahawks, who could be in a good spot for a playoff spot in an under-performing NFC this season.
Adrian Peterson won Rookie of the Year in 2007 with 1,341 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.. Eddie Lacy did so in 2013 with 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns. Todd Gurley's 2014 win was thanks to 1,106 yards and 10 scores. Alvin Kamara's ROY win was powered by 1,554 total yards and 13 touchdowns, while Saquon Barkley's 2018 rookie season saw over 2,000 total yards and 15 scores.
Walker has averaged 132.5 yards per game in his two starts, and he has ten games remaining. At 411 yards already, it's a very real possibility we see Walker rush for over 1,400 yards this season. That would likely be more than enough to bring home the honors.
Chris Olave
If you're looking for a bit more value, Chris Olave at +800 feels like the best choice. In six games, Olave is tied for the tenth-most receiving yards in the league and first among rookies by over 150 yards.
Olave is leading New Orleans in receiving, thanks to the continued health problems suffered by Michael Thomas. He would likely need Thomas to sit back for much of the year for the statistics to continue.
The Saints are just 2-5 on this season, but sadly just one game back from first in what has become a dreadful NFC South. If Olave stacks big games that fuel a divisional crown for New Orleans, he'll be right in the mix by season's end.
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