NFL rookies have embarked on their inaugural pro football seasons. As is most always the case, quarterbacks are among the favorites to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award as the Patriots’ Mac Jones and the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase sit atop the odds board. Denver’s Patrick Surtain II and Dallas’ Micah Parsons are the favorites to take home Defensive Player of the Year at most books.
NFL Rookie of the Year odds
Here are NFL Rookie of the Year odds heading into the 2021 season. Click on the price(s) you like to bet now.
Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates
The Favorites
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals : For all the time spent worrying about whether Ja’Marr Chase could see the NFL football and catch passes was made a mute point in a matter of minutes. Chase is the unquestioned top receiver in Cincinnati and continues to make big play after big play.
Mac Jones, QB, Patriots : Mac Jones isn’t lighting up the scoreboard nor leading the Patriots to a ton of wins. However, he has some of the most opportunity among rookies with the least talent around him.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars : Trevor Lawrence is second in the league in interceptions thrown (8) after six games, but he’s got the arm talent to be one of the better rookie quarterbacks. Unfortunately, Lawrence isn’t yet living up to his “generational talent” tag placed upon him. Solace for Lawrence, even Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions his rookie year.
Contenders
Justin Fields, QB, Bears : The Bears seemingly opened up the playbook for Fields after a disastrous first start in which he was sacked nine times. Fields undoubtably has the arm talent, but the team around him greatly influences his season finish for this award; at this point, it’s not looking great.
Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers : It’s Lance time in San Francisco after Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an injury in Week 4. Lance fired two touchdowns, including a long one to Deebo Samuel in a close loss to the Seahawks for his NFL debut. A knee injury hurts his chances, slightly increasing his price.
Najee Harris, RB, Steelers : The Steelers offense is the detritus of the NFL right now, but that’s almost to the benefit of Najee Harris. His run work is painfully inefficient, but he was targeted 19 (!!!!) times in Week 3. He’s proven to be the pillar that Pittsburgh wants to build their offense around, leading rookie non-QBs in touches this year.
Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates
Contenders
Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys : Micah Parsons recorded four tackles in his NFL debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Through six games, he’s recorded 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Parsons is a frontrunner for a reason, highlighted by his freakish athleticism.
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Broncos (+800): Top-10 capital, elite pedigree, a defensive-minded head coach, and elite teammates – what’s there not to like about Surtain’s circumstances? Surtain was hailed as the best corner in the class and was nearly drafted like it if Carolina hadn’t pulled the trigger on Jaycee Horn earlier than expected. He recorded an interception in his first NFL game, too.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Browns (+700): JOK has recorded 29 total tackles and half a sack in six games so far this season. He’s used all around the field and is one of the most involved defensive rookies.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Chargers : Samuel, a second-round pick, has been downright electric in the early season. He made interceptions in back-to-back weeks, including an athletic diving catch against the Chiefs. As far as production goes, Samuel leads defensive rookies in it.
