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Devin Singletary’s 2019 NFL OROY Odds Listed at +800 Ahead of Week 1

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in NFL Football

Updated Apr 4, 2020 · 11:22 AM PDT

Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary
With Week 1 of the NFL season fast approaching, Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary has vaulted to a short +800 bet to claim NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Photo by Bobak Ha'Eri (Wikipedia) [CC License].
  • Following LeSean McCoy’s departure from Buffalo, Bills’ RB Devin Singletary saw his Offensive Rookie of the Year odds improve to +800
  • Singletary is still well behind Arizona QB and reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Kyler Murray (+160)
  • Following the departure of Jordan Howard, Bears RB David Montgomery (+500) will have ample opportunity

When Devin Singletary was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft, there was little expectation that the 22-year-old running back would see a lot of action in his first NFL campaign. With the Bills signing veteran rusher Frank Gore during the offseason, it looked like the team would take a go-slow approach with Singletary, while Gore would join LeSean McCoy in a backfield committee.

But following Singletary’s impressive performance in the preseason, the Bills elected to part ways with McCoy, opening the door for the former Florida Atlantic star to take on a major role in the Buffalo backfield.

The transactions led to Singletary’s Offensive Rookie of the Year odds improving from a distant +6600 to a short +800.

Odds to Win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Team Odds
Kyler Murray +160
David Montgomery +500
Josh Jacobs +700
Devin Singletary +800
Daniel Jones +1200
Miles Sanders +1400
Darrell Henderson +1600
Dwayne Haskins +2000

*Odds as of 05/09/2019.

Singletary Poised to Build on MVP Collegiate Career

Singletary makes the leap to the NFL following an impressive three-year collegiate career at FAU, highlighted by a breakthrough campaign in 2017. The Deerfield Beach, Florida, native rushed for 1,920 yards, good for fourth in the nation. His efforts powered the Owls to their first conference championship since 2007, while also earning Conference USA Most Valuable Player honors.

With the Owls taking a step back last season, tallying a meagre 5-7 overall record, Singletary’s numbers suffered. However, offseason mentoring by Gore appeared to pay dividends during the preseason.

In addition to scoring one touchdown while tallying 42 yards on 12 carries, Singletary recorded six catches for 46 yards over his three preseason appearances, equaling the total number of catches he made in his final season with the Owls.

Topping Murray Will Be a Huge Challenge

Kyler Murray, who opens the NFL season as a short +160 favorite to claim top rookie honors, is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and was taken first overall by the Arizona Cardinals in this year’s NFL Draft. The former Sooner threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns while leading Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff.

Murray is poised to start for the Cardinals in their Week 1 clash with the Detroit Lions after completing 63.9% of his pass attempts over his preseason appearances. However, Murray takes over the reins of a Cardinals squad committed to a rebuild and facing brutal competition in a tough NFC West.

Montgomery Providing Exceptional Value on OROY Odds

Running backs have dominated the OROY award of late, claiming the honor in three of the past four seasons and four of the past six. That bodes well for Singletary, and for Chicago Bears rusher David Montgomery, who sits second to Murray as a +500 bet.

Selected immediately before Singletary at no. 73 in the 2019 draft, Montgomery turns pro after being a model of consistency at Iowa State over the past two seasons. His collegiate career was capped by a 1,216-yard, 13-touchdown campaign with the Cyclones in 2018.

The 22-year-old joins a Bears squad that relies heavily on a ground game, ranking seventh in the NFL with 16 touchdown runs while compiling 121.1 rushing yards per game last year.

With Jordan Howard, Chicago’s leading rusher last season, now departed for Philadelphia, opportunity knocks for Montgomery to fill the void on a Bears’ squad looking to build on a breakthrough 12-4 campaign in 2018, and pay out as +200 co-favorites to repeat as NFC North champions.

Pick: David Montgomery (+500)

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