Terry McLaurin Given +900 Odds to Win OROY After Catching TD In First Three Games
- Redskins rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin has a TD in each of his first three games
- Will he be able to keep his strong play going in Washington’s offense?
- Is he the best bet to win Offensive Rookie of the Year or should you bet on someone else?
Given that he was a third round pick in this year’s NFL draft, even the Washington Redskins would be hard pressed to think Terry McLaurin would begin his career in such spectacular fashion, hauling in a touchdown in all three games while averaging over 85 yards per contest.
With that said, his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have taken a dramatic turn from +5000 before the season started, to +2500 after a dynamite Week 1 all the way to +900 currently, behind just three quarterbacks.
Should you wager on McLaurin to win OROY or do the quarterbacks have such a significant edge and is he even the best option to bet on for the wide receivers?
2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Daniel Jones | +200 |
| Kyler Murray | +300 |
| Gardner Minshew | +450 |
| Terry McLaurin | +900 |
| David Montgomery | +1200 |
| Josh Jacobs | +1200 |
| Marquise Brown | +1400 |
| Mecole Hardman | +1600 |
*Odds taken 09/24/19
Terry McLaurin is Setting Records
McLaurin immediately announced his presence as Washington’s top receiving target, exploding for 125 yards on five catches and a touchdown Week 1 against Philadelphia – he was just getting warmed up.
Very Fun Fact:
In his debut game, Terry McLaurin, Redskins’ 3rd round pick has 104 yards (1 TD) in the FIRST HALF.
This is more receiving yards than former 1st round pick Josh Doctson has ever had in a single game (84).pic.twitter.com/8WTsgqDACp
— Skins offSZN ♫ (@TerryMcLaur1n) September 8, 2019
While it is probably unrealistic to expect him to continue his dominance, it would be a surprise to see him fall off a cliff – that is, unless the Redskins decide to pull the plug on Case Keenum mid-season and rookie first round quarterback Dwayne Haskins doesn’t have the same chemistry with McLaurin (although the two played together at Ohio State).
#Redskins WR Terry McLaurin is just the 2nd player since the merger (1970) to have 60+ rec yards and 1 TD in each of their first 3 career games joining Louis Lipps in 1984. @wusa9 @WUSA9sports #HTTR pic.twitter.com/uB31eakxaM
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) September 24, 2019
Just Two Receivers Have Won Award in Last 15 Years
It will be difficult for McLaurin and other receivers in contention for the award like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Mecole Hardman or DK Metcalf to break through, at least in recent history.
Since 2003, when Anquan Boldin took home the crown, just two wideouts have won (Percy Harvin in 2009 and Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014).
Through three weeks, however, there hasn’t been an obvious shoo-in quarterback or running back, so that gives the receivers hope for the OROY.
Last Five OROY Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Saquon Barkley |
| 2017 | Alvin Kamara |
| 2016 | Dak Prescott |
| 2015 | Todd Gurley |
| 2014 | Odell Beckham Jr. |
Not Much Value in Betting Top Three Quarterbacks
The top three QB’s on the board all don’t present much value ranging between +200 and +450. The top two pivots already face uphill battles to win their division with the Giants two back of the Cowboys and Kyler Murray in a division with a pair of undefeated teams and the 2-1 Seahawks.
I’d be more inclined to wager on Gardner Minshew of the top three QB’s because the Jaguars are just a game back of the division plus his cult following with the sweet ‘stache and rags to riches story being that he was a sixth round pick in the 2019 draft.
Gardner Minshew:
-110.6 career passer rating
-That moustache
-Never lost a Super BowlTom Brady:
-97.8 career passer rating
-Lost three Super Bowls
-(Also won six Super Bowls)Who is the better sixth-round pick? pic.twitter.com/IM7i6WHrnN
— Sky Sports NFL (@SkySportsNFL) September 20, 2019
Tough Call Amongst Receivers
Despite his super hot start, I just can’t fully get on board with Washington’s 30th ranked passing offense according to Pro Football Focus, so McLaurin will not be the choice here. I’m much more inclined to bank on either Hollywood Brown or Mecole Hardman because of the more dynamic offenses in Baltimore and Kansas City, respectively.
Mecole Hardman 83 yards to the HOUSE. Speed kills.pic.twitter.com/Dkq0F3Cgcu
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2019
It’s a toss up between those two but you have to go all in on 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes slinging it to Hardman, particularly with Tyreek Hill missing multiple weeks with an arm injury. Give me the big play ability with his blazing 4.33 speed with his 158 yards and two TD’s in the last two weeks.
Pick: Mecole Hardman wins Offensive Rookie of the Year (+1600)
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 16 years, where he's been featured on Sportscentre, That's Hockey, That's Hockey 2Nite, The Masters preview shows, and several more.
