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Opening 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Kyler Murray Listed as Heavy Favorite

David Golokhov

by David Golokhov in NFL Football

Updated Apr 13, 2020 · 8:23 PM PDT

Kyler Murray smiling in a suit
Is Kyler Murray the best bet to win the 2019 ROY Award? Photo by @MiaFarrow (Twitter).
  • Kyler Murray was the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft
  • The Arizona Cardinals drafted three receivers in their draft to surround Murray with talent
  • Running backs usually have an easier transition to the NFL than quarterbacks

Now that the NFL Draft is in the rear view mirror, the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been posted. Kyler Murray, being the top pick in the draft, is favored to win the award, but is he the best bet?

2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Player 2019 NFL OROY Odds
Kyler Murray +250
Dwayne Haskins +700
Josh Jacobs +900
Marquise Brown +1000
Mecole Hardman +1000
Drew Lock +1200
TJ Hockenson +1200
Deebo Samuel +1600
N’Keal Harry +1600
Daniel Jones +1800
AJ Brown +2000
DK Metcalf +2000
Miles Sanders +2000
Noah Fant +2000
Parris Campbell +2000
JJ Arcega-Whiteside +2500
Darrell Henderson +2800
Damien Harris +3300
Irv Smith Jr. +3300
Will Grier +5000

Odds taken 04/30/19.

Can Murray Succeed?

Kyler Murray is obviously going to get the keys to the car right away. And what you have to like is that the Cardinals put a lot of emphasis on getting him some weapons. Remember, they already had David Johnson, and Larry Fitzgerald is back for a season. The Cards then added receivers Andy Isabella, Hakeem Butler, and KeeSean Johnson in the draft.

The Cardinals are going employ the Texas Tech-style of offense where Kliff Kingsbury gets his best weapons on the field and spreads out the opponent with four and five-wide receiver sets. That means plenty of passing yards for Murray. Will he have a few interceptions in there? Sure. Will he pass for 4,000 yards if he’s remotely worth his salt as the no. 1 pick in the draft? Yes.

My main concern with Murray is the offensive line. This unit was embarrassed last year and is the main reason why Josh Rosen is no longer on the team. Murray is mobile but that can only help so much. I think he has a good year but the offensive line keeps him from the Rookie of the Year Award.

Hardman a Sleeper

Hardman may be one of the underrated bets to win the Rookie of the Year Award because he was drafted in the second-round, but you have to take into account his environment. To start, Tyreek Hill might be released, so that could leave Hardman as the top receiver on the offense. Yes, there’s Sammy Watkins, but he underwhelmed last year.

If the Chief do, in fact, move on from Hill, that could leave Hardman in a very juicy role. Hill had 1,479 receiving yards in an offense that compiled the third-most passing yards in the NFL (4,955). Watkins had just 519 yards and three touchdowns. Hardman could be counted on quite a bit this season and good numbers could lead to OROY honors.

Jacobs is the Bet

The reality is that running backs have the easiest transition from college to the NFL, so that’s why I have Jacobs ahead of Murray and Hardman by a hair. Jacobs will also be in a great situation. The Oakland Raiders signed tackle Trent Brown to a lucrative contract and should be better from internal growth as Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker are now entering their second year.

The Raiders should have a competent passing game too as they added Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, who will be the focal point of most opposing defenses. Add in that the Raiders have a terrible defense and they should be in a lot of shootouts. That paves the wave for Jacobs to put up some fantastic numbers.

Pick: Josh Jacobs (+900)

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