Josh Jacobs Listed as Favorite to Win NFL OROY, Kyler Murray’s Odds Fade to +160

• After back-to-back solid performances Jacobs’ odds go from +200 to +125
• Raiders running back ranks sixth overall in rushing yards this season
• Cards QB Kyler Murray opened as +110 favorite heading into Week 8 — now +160

There’s a new favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The latest NFL OROY odds were released this week, listing Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs as the frontrunner to win the award this season

Jacobs, who ranks sixth in league rushing this season, comes in as the +125 favorite — overtaking Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray for top spot.

Is there value in betting on Jacobs at this price or will his NFL OROY odds drop over time?

Odds to Win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Odds taken on Oct. 29

Jacobs Becomes Frontrunner

When the odds opened a week ago, Jacobs was listed at +200, still behind Murray as the favorite. However, looking at Jacobs’ chances to win the NFL OROY over the last month, the odds shortened from +1500 to +550.

On October 16th, Jacobs was still listed as a +520 underdog to win the award.

Josh Jacobs:

*Most rushing yards through a player's first 6 career games in franchise history (554)

*3rd-most rushing yards in NFL history by a 21-year old through a player’s first 6 career games

*No. 1 in YAC/rush (3.9 avg) per @PFF

*No. 1 rushing grade (90.4)#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/FxQIJ9p09F

— Evert Geerlings (@E_Geerlings) October 23, 2019

What changed over such a short period of time?

Jacobs has slowly climbed the rushing yard ranks over the last few weeks. He’s rushed for 620 yards and four touchdowns heading into Week 9. ESPN’s stats forecast for Jacobs show that the 2019 first-round pick is on pace for a 1,417-yard rushing season with nine touchdowns.

Jacobs Continues to Soar Offensively

Jacobs’ performance of late has helped him climb the rushing yard leaders list. The Alabama product rushed for 123 and 124 yards in Weeks 5 and 6, respectively, while also scoring two TDs in a win over the Chicago Bears.

This is the first time since the NFL OROY odds first opened back in April that Jacobs finds himself as the top favorite to win the award. Jacobs initially opened at +800, while Murray was the +250 frontrunner.

Looking at Oakland’s remaining schedule, it’s favorable for Jacobs to make a serious run at a top three spot in league rushing.

The big runs will always make the highlight reel but it is the runs that pick up yardage when nothing was there that truly make Josh Jacobs special. How does this run go for 4 yards??? He should be stopped in the backfield but he manages to gain ground. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/UDpFg7EhWR

— Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) October 30, 2019

With games against teams that struggle against the run — such as the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets — Jacobs may catch Christian McCaffrey and Nick Chubb in rushing yards.

What is also working in Jacobs’ favor is that out of the last six NFL OROY winners, three of them have been running backs.

Saquon Barkley won it in 2018 and Alvin Kamara in 2017.

Murray Unseated as Favorite for First Time

Now that Murray has slipped to +160, is the Cardinals quarterback a more valuable bet?

Murray has not relinquished the top favorite spot until the latest odds were released. His odds were as long as +380  on Oct. 2, but the line shortened to +220 and eventually to +160.

Going into Week 8, Murray’s odds reached their shortest point at +110, and it looked as if the Cardinals pivot could soon be an odds-on favorite to win the award.

However, Murray is coming off back-to-back dismal performances starting in Week 7 in which he threw for just 104 yards and was sacked twice. The following week, Murray was 19-for-33 with 220 yards passing, going two weeks in a row without a TD pass.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew of the Jacksonville Jaguars is the only other real candidate, but because this is a weaker rookie class, the race for NFL OROY will come down to Jacobs and Murray.

Jacobs Has the Upper Hand

Both the Raiders and Cardinals have identical 3-4 records heading into Week 9 of the regular season.

While individual stats are a driving force to determining the Offensive Rookie of the Year, team success also has a part in the final outcome.

The Cardinals are in a much tougher NFC West Division, so the chances of the team even finishing with a .500 record will be difficult.

Josh Jacobs said “watch your ankles” pic.twitter.com/ZtgjuzAuFo

— Alabama DieHards (@AlabamaDieHards) October 28, 2019

The Raiders could make a serious run down the stretch with a favorable schedule, which could also open the door for Jacobs to carry much of the offensive load.

Get in on Jacobs to win the NFL OROY in 2020 which the price is right.

Pick: Josh Jacobs (+125)