- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is often won by quarterbacks like Bryce Young.
- OROY betting odds actually favor Falcons RB Bijan Robinson.
- DROY betting favorites include Will Anderson Jr., Jalen Carter, and Tyree Wilson.
Every year, the NFL highlights two rookies as premiere freshman playmakers. They are the offensive and defensive rookies of the year.
Naturally, the BetMGM online sportsbook has a betting market for anyone out there feeling particularly predictive.
Here are the odds for both markets, as well as some early thoughts on players I like to compete for both awards.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
| Player | Team/Position | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | Falcons RB | +250 |
| Bryce Young | Panthers QB | +450 |
| Anthony Richardson | Colts QB | +700 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions RB | +750 |
| C.J. Stroud | Texans QB | +850 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seahawks WR | +1200 |
| Jordan Addison | Vikings WR | +1600 |
| Zay Flowers | Ravens WR | +2000 |
| Quentin Johnston | Chargers WR | +2000 |
| Jaylin Hyatt | Giants WR | +2500 |
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Prediction
Take a moment to consider how OROY typically plays out. The players that have the “best” shot at the award, so to speak, are quarterbacks who enter the league and immediately make a bad team competitive.
If no such quarterbacks exist in a given year, then the award often goes to a skill player with impressive stats. Since the OROY award was created in 1967, it’s only ever been given to a quarterback, running back/fullback, or wide receiver.
This kind of meta-commentary heavily suggests that Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, and C.J. Stroud should all be very strongly considered for the award. All three play in winnable divisions and could nab the award if their team remains competitive for the division title into December.
Because the NFC South seems more up for grabs, and because Young is likely the most NFL-ready of the three players, I’d personally prefer Young at +450 to Richardson at +700 or Stroud at +850. (In the case of Stroud, we’re not even totally sure he’ll have the job for Week 1.)
Don’t forget about +250 favorite Bijan Robinson, though. In my Bijan Robinson odds analysis, I mentioned how quietly impressive the Atlanta offensive line was last year. Robinson will immediately be one of the most productive running backs in the NFL.
Because Young and Robinson happen to play in the same division, there’s a reasonably high chance that the Panthers and Falcons’ head-to-head results will ultimately determine the winner of the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds
| Player | Team/Position | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Will Anderson Jr. | Texans DE | +400 |
| Jalen Carter | Eagles DT | +600 |
| Tyree Wilson | Raiders DE | +1000 |
| Devon Witherspoon | Seahawks CB | +1000 |
| Christian Gonzalez | Patriots CB | +1400 |
| Lukas Van Ness | Packers LB | +1400 |
| Jack Campbell | Lions LB | +1400 |
| Emmanuel Forbes Jr. | Commanders CB | +1600 |
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Prediction
The DROY award is a little harder to predict, but the history does read like a preview of future all-Pros. Recent winners include Sauce Gardner, Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, and Shaq Leonard.
However, there’s very little positional narrowing that can be done for the award. Consider the last six winners, which have featured two defensive linemen, two linebackers, and two corners.
If you’re betting DROY, you’ve pretty much got to roll with your gut on which player has the best blend of raw talent, scheme fit, and opportunity to impress.
For me, that’s Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. (+400), who is entering a division with two teams that ranked among the bottom 10 teams in the NFL last season for pass protection. (Jacksonville ranked 10th, but it will also give Anderson plenty of chances, as they ranked ninth in the league in total pass attempts last year.)
It’s a chalky pick to be sure, but against the AFC South, he should feast.
NFL Rookie of the Year History
| Year | OROY (Team/Position) | DPOY (Team/Position) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Garrett Wilson (Jets WR) | Sauce Gardner (Jets CB) |
| 2021 | Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals WR) | Micah Parsons (Cowboys LB) |
| 2020 | Justin Herbert (Chargers QB) | Chase Young (Washington DE) |
| 2019 | Kyler Murray (Cardinals QB) | Nick Bosa (49ers DE) |
| 2018 | Saquon Barkley (Giants RB) | Shaq Leonard (Colts LB) |
| 2017 | Alvin Kamara (Saints RB) | Marshon Lattimore (Saints CB) |
| 2016 | Dak Prescott (Cowboys QB) | Joey Bosa (Chargers DE) |
| 2015 | Todd Gurley (Rams RB) | Marcus Peters (Chiefs CB) |
| 2014 | Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants WR) | Aaron Donald (Rams DT) |
| 2013 | Eddie Lacy (Packers RB) | Sheldon Richardson (Jets DT) |
| 2012 | Robert Griffin III (Redskins QB) | Luke Kuechly (Panthers LB) |
| 2011 | Cam Newton (Panthers QB) | Von Miller (Broncos LB) |
| 2010 | Sam Bradford (Rams QB) | Ndamukong Suh (Lions DT) |
| 2009 | Percy Harvin (Vikings WR) | Brian Cushing (Texans LB) |
| 2008 | Matt Ryan (Falcons QB) | Jerod Mayo (Patriots LB) |
| 2007 | Adrian Peterson (Vikings RB) | Patrick Willis (49ers LB) |
| 2006 | Vince Young (Titans QB) | DeMeco Ryans (Texans LB) |
| 2005 | Cadillac Williams (Buccaneers RB) | Shawne Merriman (Chargers LB) |
| 2004 | Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers QB) | Jonathan Vilma (Jets LB) |
| 2003 | Anquan Boldin (Cardinals WR) | Terrell Suggs (Ravens LB) |
| 2002 | Clinton Portis (Broncos RB) | Julius Peppers (Panthers DE) |
| 2001 | Anthony Thomas (Bears RB) | Kendrell Bell (Steelers LB) |
| 2000 | Mike Anderson (Broncos RB) | Brian Urlacher (Bears LB) |
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