Daniel Jones OROY Odds Listed at +500 After Being Named Giants Starter for Week 3

• Eli Manning has been benched in favor of Daniel Jones, who was the sixth overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft
• Jones finished the preseason going 29-of-34 for 416 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions
• Jones’ Offensive Rookie of the Year odds were at +2100 before Week 2, but is now being offered at +500

The New York Giants have finally made a change at quarterback.

Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning has been benched in favor of rookie Daniel Jones for Week 3 against Tampa Bay. Although the other rookies have a head start, is now a good time to bet on Jones to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award?

Have a look at the 2019 NFL OROY odds entering Week 3.

2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

*Odds taken September 17

Giants Bench Eli, Turn to Jones

The Giants have started the season with back-to-back losses. While they had hoped to be patient and bring along rookie Daniel Jones slowly, the struggles of Eli Manning – and the team – precipitated a change. Through two uninspiring games, Manning had completed 62.9% of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

What’s really paved the way for this change has been the preseason that Jones put together. He finished the exhibition part of the calendar going 29-of-34 (85%) with 416 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and a sterling 137.3 passer rating.

What was even more impressive was his 12.2 yards per pass attempt, which is the highest mark for any rookie quarterback over the last two preseasons. Baker Mayfield (8.1) was the only other passer to top 7.5. That’s big as Manning has averaged just 6.2 this season in a very predictable offense.

Can Jones Carry it Over Into the Regular Season?

One of the most pressing questions we’ll have to find out is whether Jones can actually perform in the regular season like he did in the preseason.

Remember, a lot of those numbers were compiled against backups. Playing against a much-improved Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense this weekend will be a far greater challenge.

Murray, Jacobs Have an Early Lead

Jones is getting into the lineup sooner than most people expected but Arizona’s Kyler Murray and Oakland’s Josh Jacobs have a two-week head start.

Jacobs is probably the early leader as he’s picked up 212 total yards with two touchdowns. However, he’s neck-in-neck with Kyler Murray, who has posted back-to-back 300+ yard passing games.

Murray’s trajectory looks fantastic as he’s already played a couple of good defenses in Detroit and Baltimore, yet still compiled 657 passing yards, two touchdowns and a pick with an 81.7 passer rating. The fact that Arizona has been close to winning both games makes him look very good.

Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary is also in the mix as he’s run for 127 yards and a touchdown so far, which isn’t jaw-dropping, but he looks like he’ll be a primetime back for the Bills this season.

What’s the Best Bet?

My issue with betting Jones here is that he’s only at +500. He’s already priced the same as Jacobs and is only slightly behind Murray. However, he hasn’t proven anything in-game yet.

Of course, if Jones turns the Giants around and they’re at least modestly competitive after looking lifeless with Manning, he’s going to get a lot of credit – especially playing in New York. However, Murray looks like he’s going to be throwing for about 300 yards a game and pushing for a six or seven-win season.

Jacobs also looks like he’ll be in the 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown range, while Singletary could be there too. All of those players look like better bets at this point than Jones, who has merely put together a good preseason.

Keep in mind that Jones is on a bad team with minimal weapons at wide receiver and no defense to help him out. The Giants will probably focus on running the ball with Saquon Barkley and avoid putting too much pressure on Jones right away.

For me, Murray has already proven it while Jones has yet to prove anything. If I was getting +800 or +1000 on his NFL OROY odds, I’d take a shot. With him as the second favorite right after Murray, I’ll pass at this point. Murray is a better bet.