Even before the end of the 2022 NFL draft, there were a number of betting odds already being released by various sportsbooks regarding which top rookies will win awards in their first seasons in the league. Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux are the co-favorites to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and rightfully so, having been the two most productive Edge rushers coming out of college out.
As to who's the betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, that honor would go to the Steelers' newest QB Kenny Pickett.
Pickett, who was the only quarterback selected in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is joined by Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London as the two rookies most likely to win the coveted award--with Pickett at -500 and London +650 odds according to BetMGM.
Here is the full list of the rookies listed and their odds to win OROTY:
Pickett +500
London +650
Treylon Burks +750
Garrett Wilson +800
Breece Hall +900
Christian Watson +900
Jameson Williams +1000
Kenneth Walker +1100
Chris Olave +1100
Skyy Moore +1100
Pickett is the favorite to win the NFL's top rookie honor but isn't even expected to start for Pittsburgh in Week 1.
Although he may not be the immediate successor to Ben Roethlisberger in the Steel City, when head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to Rich Eisen on Saturday, Tomlin said Pickett certainly has a shot to win the starting job.
"[Pickett] certainly has a chance [to be our Week 1 starter]," Tomlin said to Eisen. "I agree with that sentiment of his readiness from a professional perspective."
Even though Tomlin's comments sound like Pickett has a legitimate shot at winning the job, the Steelers signed Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year, $14.3 million deal which is a lot of money to give to someone they see as strictly a backup.
As for London, he is likley tied with Pickett because he was the first skill-position player selected. Vegas usually favors QBs when it comes to any offensive award but with the weak class in this years draft, it's not likely that a rookie signal-caller will win OROTY.
The electric wideout out of USC should see a lot of targets in Atlanta with Calvin Ridley being suspended for the whole season. Now the only question remains is can Marcus Mariota be good enough to provide him the touches?
Another player on this list to keep an eye on is Kenneth Walker and Treylon Burks. I know what you're saying, a running back isn't going to win this award. However, with the Seahawks in full rebuild mode and having no other appealing options in the backfield, Walker can eat up a bulk of the carries, and even though Seattle may not have a good record, Walker can look good while playing on a bad team. Pro Football Network projects the Seahawks will win just six games in 2022.
Burks was drafted by Tennessee as the replacement for A.J. Brown, who the franchise refused to pay, opting to trade him to Philly instead. I expect Burks to see a lot of targets in his first year in Nashville.
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Follow Jasper Jones on Twitter: @jonesj2342
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