Odds to Win 2021 NFL OROY – Lawrence Still Favored, But Mac Jones Closing In

• A close two-way race has emerged in the odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors
• Mac Jones has closed the gap on the favorite Trevor Lawrence after being named as the New England Patriots starting quarterback
• We’ve got you covered with all the top rookie odds and trends as the 2021 NFL season gets underway

Trevor Lawrence quickly emerged as a heavy favorite to claim Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for the upcoming NFL campaign after being selected first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jacksonville Jaguars pivot continues to lead the way as +400 chalk, but as the kick off on the regular season fast approaches, Lawrence finds himself with company near the top of the odds. Recently anointed as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, Mac Jones now closely trails Lawrence as a +450 wager to emerge as this season’s top offensive rookie.

Here’s a look at all the odds and trends as the battle to take home this season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award heats up.

Odds to Win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Odds at FanDuel as of September 8, 2021

Trevor Lawrence has emerged as the favorite in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds as a +400 bet

Lawrence on Pace for Greatness

It didn’t take long for Trevor Lawrence to rocket to the top of the odds to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in the wake of his coronation as this year’s top draft pick. The 21-year-old opened as a short +200 wager after establishing a trajectory towards greatness during his three seasons at the helm of the Clemson offense. Lawrence tossed for 90 total touchdowns against just 17 picks and leading the Tigers to a pair of National Championship game appearances including a decisive 44-16 win over Alabama three seasons ago.

Trevor Lawrence has been a projected first overall pick since he was a FRESHMAN.

That matters. pic.twitter.com/Ypx33U9uy9

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) February 24, 2021

Lawrence continued to show he belonged while seeing limited action during the preseason, connecting on 31 of 44 pass attempts over three appearances, and tossing for a pair of touchdowns in a 34-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys that closed out Jacksonville’s August schedule.

>> Bet Trevor Lawrence to Win OROY at FanDuel Here! <<

Jags’ Losing Tradition Represents Massive Challenge

However, Lawrence now faces an enormous challenge to turn around a moribund Jaguars squad that has established itself as the NFL’s doormat over the past two decades. Winners of more than five games on just two occasions over the past 13 seasons, Jacksonville once again faces tempered expectations entering the 2021 campaign. Currently riding an epic 15-game SU losing streak, the Jaguars’ win total remains pegged at an optimistic 6.5 heading into their Week 1 clash with the Houston Texans, while the team’s odds of returning to the playoffs for just the second time since 2007 sit at a lengthy +330.

HE'S OUT! @Jaguars fire head coach Doug Marrone after 15 straight losses this season. https://t.co/VbPCjvZR1r
(📸: AP) pic.twitter.com/1CQLM2wug6

— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) January 4, 2021

Long-suffering Jaguars fans are finding ways to be optimistic. In addition to the arrival of Lawrence, Jacksonville is hoping the hiring of college coaching legend Urban Meyer as bench boss will change the team’s fortunes. The squad should also benefit from a favorable schedule that features road dates with such 2020 bottom feeders as the Texans, Cincinnati, and the New York Jets. However, if Lawrence is going to fulfill the promise in his rookie campaign, the Jaguars defense will have to do a better job of keeping the ball out of the hands of opponents, who racked up an AFC-high 30.8 points per game last season.

Jones Preseason Play Made Newton Expendable

Taken by the New England Patriots with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mac Jones has been thrust into the spotlight since being handed the reins of the Patriots offense a week ago. Listed as a +800 bet to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors coming out of the draft, Jones saw his odds sag over the summer.

This seems to be the moment Josh McDaniels took Cam Newton out of the Giants preseason game and put Mac Jones in.

The rest is history that's about to unfold.

Found this while going through footage we shot through the summer. @ABC6 #GoPats #PatsCamp pic.twitter.com/CyKTk9pkln

— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) September 6, 2021

However, that has all changed since the Patriots elected to cut former MVP Cam Newton and hand their prized rookie the starter’s job. A two-time national champion while at the Crimson Tide helm, Jones looked ready for prime time in three preseason appearances, going 36-for-52 and finding the end zone once while averaging 7.5 yards per attempt.

Belichick Factor Gives Jones the Edge

Of course, Jones also faces a huge challenge to lead the Patriots out of the wilderness in the post-Tom Brady era. Indeed, New England could face a harder road back to postseason contention considering the steady improvement being made by their AFC East rivals. However, oddsmakers have shown confidence in Jones by boosting the Patriots’ win total to 9.5 after he was pegged as the starter.

Bill Belichick – Mac Jones

Bill Belichick, in his head coaching career, with QB's making their 1st NFL start

(6-0)
100/164 – 61.0% – 1,210 YDS
5 TD – 1 INT

91.3 Rate

So when it's Mac's time, BB has it covered pic.twitter.com/m4fkSzI759

— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) August 17, 2021

Perhaps most important for Jones’ short-term success and long-term development is the opportunity to play in a winning environment under coach Bill Belichick. In addition to seeing Brady blossom into the GOAT under his watch, Belichick has consistently found ways to get the most out of his pivots. And it is the Belichick factor that positions Jones as the best bet to emerge as this season’s top offensive rookie.

The Pick: Mac Jones (+450)