Baker Mayfield has Overtaken Saquon Barkley as OROY Favorite Entering Week 17

• Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield now favored to be the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year
• New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley had been favored to win the award since October 31st
• Two of the last three NFL OROY were running backs

For some time time now, the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year award was a two-horse race but with a week left in the season, suddenly, Baker Mayfield is the thoroughbred out in front.

The #Browns won ZERO games a year ago. Baker Mayfield has them 7-7-1. I love Saquon Barkley, he’s the best show in the sport. But Mayfield is the rookie of the year.

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 24, 2018

Mayfield, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, has surged ahead of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley in 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year odds with the finish line fast approaching.

Odds To Win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

*Odds taken 12/26

If he succeeds, Mayfield would be the second QB to win the award in three seasons, and the fifth to do so since 2010.

Mayfield Makes A Stand

Besides lifting a zero-win team a year ago to 7-7-1, Mayfield has simply improved every week.

He sits with 24 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and leads all rookie passers in yardage (3,439), completions (287), completion percentage (64.6), and passer rating (95.1).

QB @bakermayfield has won AFC Offensive Player of the Week!

RT to congratulate Baker! ? pic.twitter.com/G5HsVFJ7Ht

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 26, 2018

In his last six games, Mayfield is 5-1 with 13 TD passes. He’s also the reigning AFC offensive player of the week.

It’s Not Like Barkley Is Fading

Selected to the Pro Bowl, Barkley goes into his final game requiring 114 yards from scrimmage to become the third rookie in NFL history to hit 2,000.

He needs two receptions to break Reggie Bush’s NFL rookie mark of 87. He’s third in the NFL in rushing yardage (1,198) and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (10).

Yards Per Carry
Saquon Barkley 4.9
Todd Gurley 4.9
Ezekiel Elliott 4.7

Offensive Line Run Block Rank (via Football Outsiders)
Rams 1st
Cowboys 9th
Giants 27th#NFL #Giants #GiantsPride #MerryChristmas

— Will Presti (@WillPresti) December 26, 2018

But the Colts held Barkley to 43 yards rushing last week. And the Giants are still terrible.

Looking At The Trends

Mayfield would be just the second QB to be the NFL’s OROY in last five years, joining Dak Prescott (2016) of the Dallas Cowboys.

Running backs have been winners of the award in two of the last three years and three of the last five. But the last time a running back was selected second overall in the draft, as Barkley was this year, it was a QB who was named NFL OROY – Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans.

Baker Is A Show Maker

Whether he’s staring down his old coach Hue Jackson, talking smack, or hyping his teammates, people have taken notice of Mayfield’s swagger.

And don’t think those with a vote on the NFL OROY award haven’t also been swayed by the show.

.@Browns @bakermayfield just keeps on ripping this league apart. How confident must you be to make these throws? Merry Christmas Cleveland! You got the greatest gift of all. A real NFL QB. REJOICE. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/vP42erfcDJ

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 24, 2018

In a year where LeBron James left town and the Indians again failed in the postseason, Mayfield is exactly what Cleveland needed in a sports hero. He’s made the Browns relevant again, and that accomplish might be a bigger achievement than any numbers he could post.

As great as Barkley’s year has been, he hasn’t lifted a franchise and ignited the passion of a city the way Mayfield has in Cleveland.