2020 NFL Player Award Odds Ahead of Season Opener – MVP, OROY, DROY and More

• With NFL kicking off this week, we review the odds for all the major 2020 NFL Player Awards
• Patrick Mahomes starts the season as the betting favorite for NFL MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year
• Read below to see where your top picks rank, as well as our analysis and betting predictions

Another year, another chance to get your bets in for all the NFL player awards for 2020.

While Patrick Mahomes is the league’s current leading man, remember that he was in the exact same position a year ago. Nagging injuries and a dislocated kneecap dashed his back-to-back MVP hopes, and another megastar emerged in Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.

Point being: you just never know. So let’s run through the categories, and identify our best bets. Let’s begin with the glitziest of them all. Or you can jump to:

NFL MVP | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Offensive Rookie of the Year | Defensive Rookie of the Year | Comeback Player of the Year | Coach of the Year

NFL MVP Odds

*odds from Sept. 4

Analysis: As far as NFL MVP odds go, Mahomes has stayed about as straight a line as you can get on the chart, with Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson keeping under that +1000 threshold. Looking for big movers? How about the greatest quarterback of all time, chip on his shoulder, trying to prove he’s not just a system guy and can still do it at age 43? Tom Brady has all the weapons in Tampa Bay and a coach in Bruce Arians who likes to fling it. After odds as high as +2850 in February, Brady has gone as low as +1450, and averaging around +1800.

Tom Brady para Mike Evans na ponta da endzone. 🎯🏈#NFL #NFLBrasil #NFLEleven #Bucs
pic.twitter.com/NYLC6uiaeE

— The InFormation (@TheInfoFootball) August 30, 2020

Broncos media must have some sway too — how else can training camp fodder spike Drew Lock’s +10000 odds to its current average of +5500, without Lock even throwing a preseason pass, let alone a meaningful one? Brady’s old stomping grounds roams another pivot with something to prove. Cam Newton was cast away by the Panthers, but his +8250 odds in June have shrunk to a friskier +3200.

I can get with Brady and Newton as your value picks, but for me, the best wager is right at the top.

The pick: Mahomes (+380)

NFL Offensive Player of the Year Odds

Analysis: If you’re unsure of how this award isn’t the MVP award, you’re not alone. Think of it as the non-QB MVP award, except if the MVP-winning quarterback had a really, really good year. The last pivot to complete the double was Mahomes in 2018. Since 2010, it’s gone to five non-QB’s, including last year’s winner Michael Thomas. Mahomes and Jackson are again top of the charts, but non-QB’s dot the roster in five of the next seven spaces, including Panthers’ running back Christian McCaffrey at +1300.

https://twitter.com/FBallAnalysis/status/1183392010012680192

Only a superhuman receiving performance from Thomas, setting the NFL record for receptions in a season (149) could outshine CMC’s 1,000+ yard rushing, 100+ reception season. Thomas at +1800 is nice value, until you find out that no one has repeated since 1999-2000-2001, when Marshall Faulk did it three times in a row. I think Mahomes’ upcoming year is going to be superhuman, but McCaffrey had a monster year with Kyle Allen and Will Grier starting most of the games. Don’t worry, they don’t know you either. Just trying to tell you that his output is sustainable.

The pick: McCaffrey (+1300)

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Analysis: For starters, it’s safe to say that Aaron Donald will be the favorite for this every season for at least the next three years, maybe five. He’s just that dominant. He’ll be looking for his third DPOY award, and only two others have been able to lay claim to that: JJ Watt and Lawrence Taylor.

Aaron Donald isn't playing well this year, he doesn't have a sack.

Please. pic.twitter.com/UjLhk869Br

— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) September 23, 2019

But of the top 11 NFL DPOY odds favorites, the edge rushers reign supreme, with eight players listed. Donald and Watt represent the D-linemen, while Stephon Gilmore is the lone cornerback — and the reigning champ.

One of the biggest movers this offseason is Myles Garrett of the Browns, starting at +2500 in March and moving to his current rate of +1800. Thinking secondary? Jamal Adams saw his odds shorten from +3500 to as low as +2525 after moving from the Jets to the Seahawks. One longshot worth considering is Danielle Hunter, who should see less double teams in Minnesota, with Yannick Ngakoue bookending the pash rush. Still, Donald is the man.

The pick: Aaron Donald (+750)

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Analysis: The Joe Burrow era opens in earnest in Cincinnati, and the Hesiman-winning star from LSU takes the top spot in the NFL OROY odds not only because of his prodigious talents, but because the Bengals are shaping up nicely around him. Their offensive line will be improved with last year’s top pick Jonah Williams back from injury, and Joe Mixon, a healthy AJ Green, Tyler Boyd and fellow rookie Tee Higgins are a B+ skill unit.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire with a casual 89-yard TD run. pic.twitter.com/mxsmXVOOnQ

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) November 24, 2019

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who went to football heaven — an Andy Reid offense fronted by Mahomes. Throw in the fact that expected starter Damien Williams opted out because of COVID, and the path to the starting job appears to be his. He’s vaulted from +2000 odds in March to +360. Another mover is Rams rookie Cam Akers. Still not guaranteed a starting spot, he’s still gone from +2400 to as low as +1525. The biggest mover is Bucs rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn, rocketing from +10000 to around +1500. Tom Brady can do that to your stock.

The pick: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (+360)

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Analysis: The three at the top of this list are going to be tough to beat. Chase Young is going to be part of a very gifted front seven in Washington, and new head coach Ron Rivera should be able to utilize him in devastating ways. How a do-everything linebacker in Isaiah Simmons slipped to eighth in the draft will be one of the great mysteries once he shows out in Arizona. Meanwhile, Patrick Queen will step into an always-gritty Baltimore defense, and the NFL DROY odds are taking notice, shortening his odds from +1400 in March to as low as +1000.

From Baton Rouge to Baltimore. @Patrickqueen_ | via @LSUfootball pic.twitter.com/K7nwmJhJCH

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 24, 2020

Looking long? Try Tampa Bay safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The son of former corner Antoine Winfield is expected to be a plug and play starter from Day 1, and his odds have moved the most of any player. On April 1 he was at +5500, but he’s moved to +3800 at FanDuel. Definitely worthy of taking a flier, but I expect one of the top three to claim the crown, and I like Queen.

The pick: Patrick Queen (+1200)

NFL Comeback Player of the Year Odds

Analysis: There are some compelling stories when looking at the candidates for NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and they’re centred around quarterbacks. Anyone who saw Alex Smith’s E:60 story on his gruesome broken leg know just what kind of a journey he’s been on. Winning the starting job is a real possibility in Washington, and a strong defense could really support his efforts. Ben Roethlisberger is the favorite, trying to bounce back from an elbow injury. If he plays well, he’ll help the Steelers contend for a division title with Baltimore. Cam Newton is just trying to show that the 2015 NFL MVP form that has been zapped lately because of injuries is still there as he replaces Tom Brady in New England.

Ron Rivera says he's "comfortable" playing Alex Smith Week 1 vs. the Eagles if needed, per @JPFinlayNBCS pic.twitter.com/1USzK4DQPO

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 5, 2020

But there are a couple of pass catchers worth monitoring. AJ Green is still an elite wide receiver in the NFL. If he can stay healthy, he can be Joe Burrow’s top target and top 1,000 yards receiving. Rob Gronkowski is also a year away from the game, so maybe he can turn back the clock in a retro regular hookup with Brady in the red zone.

Don’t mind me, I’m feeling sentimental.

The pick: Alex Smith (+550)

NFL Coach of the Year Odds

Analysis: It feels like this award splits into two categories: the best coach of the best team in the NFL, or the coach of the franchise that turned it around after a dismal year. I can’t state enough how we’re just starting the Chiefs’ era, so I’m baffled that Andy Reid is sitting there at +2200.

From @GMFB: The #Chiefs locked up coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach through 2025, capping a stellar offseason. pic.twitter.com/nJxnO7MrKF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2020

If you’re interested in teams being able to make the leap, there are two teams that fit that trope with great value. Vic Fangio (+2400) is in his second year with the Broncos. His defense will be better, and Drew Lock and company on offense could lift them to a wild card berth. Kevin Stefanski (+2000) is in Cleveland, and could be the offensive mind needed to unlock Baker Mayfield.

In terms of biggest movers, the NFL Coach of the Year odds show Tampa’s Bruce Arians and Dallas’ Mike McCarthy both starting out at +2000 in April, to sitting in the top two positions on the board. Tom Brady turning the Bucs’ fortunes around? I’m all for it, but get in line.

The pick: Andy Reid (+2200)