Andy Isabella Is One of the Biggest Risers in 2019 OROY Odds

• Andy Isabella’s odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year have shortened from +4000 to +3500
• Isabella, a 2018 consensus All-American, was drafted in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals
• Isabella is likely to be overshadowed by Kyler Murray, the rookie quarterback who will be throwing him passes

The odds for 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year haven’t shifted around too much since they opened, but one notable name is on the rise: Andy Isabella.

While the UMass product wasn’t the first wide receiver drafted and isn’t a household name, a lot of people see him as a sleeper in both fantasy football and the OROY race. Is he a good bet to do overcome his longshot status?

2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award Odds

*Odds taken 06/18/19. Click on the link in the table above to see odds for all players listed.

Who Is Andy Isabella?

In case you’re not familiar with Isabella, he was a second-round pick (62nd overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. He attended Massachusetts University, and that’s part of why he’s not a household name. He was a consensus All-American last year, though, and was a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award (most-outstanding receiver).

He led the nation in receiving yards per game last season and earned Pro Football Focus’ highest grade among receivers. Although he was taken late in the second round, and after seven other receivers, many people feel he’s one of the most NFL-ready offensive players in the draft.

Odds Are Tied Closely To Kyler Murray

Isabella’s biggest challenge will be outshining his new QB, Kyler Murray. Wide receivers are directly linked to quarterback production. It will be hard for Isabella to have any type of a banner season without OROY front runner Murray doing the same.

When you start fleshing out those scenarios, none really make sense.

Is it possible that Murray has an average year, overall, but Isabella thrives with 1000 yards and a handful of touchdowns? It’s possible, but unlikely.

Could they both play really well but Isabella outshines Murray? Also possible but unlikely. Could Murray start the year on the bench? Also unlikely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG3RgVcTVCY

The other issue for Isabella is the profile. He was drafted at the end of the second round while Murray was taken first overall. Isabella is already trailing in the race and that’s a lot of ground to make up.

Wide Receivers Rarely Win The Award

The other factor working against Isabella is that wide receivers have only won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award twice in the last 15 seasons: Percy Harvin (2009) and Odell Beckham Jr. (2014). Both of those wideouts were first-round picks.

Since 1977, only once has a wideout drafted after the 32nd pick won this award. That was Anquan Boldin in 2003. In other words, there’s a lot working against Isabella.

What’s The Best Bet?

I’m more inclined to lean with Murray than Isabella. Personally, I like Isabella and I think he’ll have a very solid season. However, the Cardinals have a slew of young wideouts in the mix and there are a lot of mouths to feed. Murray should rack up the stats – both through the air and on the ground – to win the award. The payout isn’t great but he’s a safer, smarter pick than his rookie teammate.