NFL Rookie of the Year odds: Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward, Travis Hunter favorites
But despite Hunter's quest for modern NFL history by playing on both sides of the ball, the opening odds board for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year is led by the tandem of Tennessee Titans quarterback and No. 1 pick Cam Ward and Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty.
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While the two stars lead the way on the betting board, there is a talented crop of rookie classmates hoping to make an immediate impact behind Ward and Jeanty. Competition for the award on the offensive side includes wide receivers like Hunter and new Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Other lead backs like Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick Omarion Hampton are also firmly in the Rookie of the Year equation.
Here's a look at how the AP Rookie of the Year races are looking in the beginning stages, with odds coming from BetMGM.
Ward and Jeanty are tied atop the opening odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Both currently sit at +250 to win the award.
Four of the last six Offensive Rookie of the Year awards have gone to quarterbacks, giving Ward the recency edge. The Titans aren't immediately naming Ward the starter after the draft. Last season's NFL leader in turnovers, Will Levis, remains on Tennessee's roster after 21 starts over the last two seasons.
It's a near certainty that Ward eventually starts for Tennessee. The uncertain job status, coupled with a shaky offensive line that was 27th in sacks per pass attempt last season, means Ward is entering a difficult rebuilding situation.
That's not to say Ward can't come in and work wonders. Early wins and a turnaround Titans season would make Ward the easy frontrunner to win the award. The odds for Ward will fluctuate, however, the longer Tennessee waits to name him the starter. And even when Ward takes the field, it's not a foregone conclusion he'll put up strong numbers.
The Raiders and new coach Pete Carroll are hoping Jeanty's explosive career at Boise State translates quickly to the next level. Carroll, unafraid of giving lead backs a heavy workload from his time in Seattle, should give significant touches to the No. 6 pick given Las Vegas' dire situation in the backfield. Standing in Jeanty's way of winning an award is the league's worst offensive line (last in rushing yards per game and per play last season) and the Raiders' offseason acquisition of veteran running back Raheem Mostert.
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Left tackle Kolton Miller is holding out, seeking a new contract extension as part of a Las Vegas offensive line that didn't receive a makeover. A more consistent passing game, thanks to the offseason acquisition of Geno Smith at QB, helps the Las Vegas offense. Even with better passing, Jeanty running behind the league's worst offensive line might still prove problematic. If Jeanty is slow in blitz pickup or running routes out of the backfield, the veteran Mostert could work third-down snaps that cut into Jeanty's touches.
Only seven rookie running backs have surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in their first season following Saquon Barkley's breakout Rookie of the Year campaign in 2018. None of the seven that came after Barkley won the award. So, as a starting point, Jeanty needs incredible production from the backfield just to be in the conversation.
While Ward and Jeanty are the co-front-runners for the Rookie of the Year award post-draft, both players enter their respective rookie seasons with undesirable offensive line situations. A slow start from either player potentially opens the door for other candidates to emerge.
After the Jaguars traded up to No. 2 to grab Hunter, he finds himself in the top three of both the offensive (+550) and defensive (+750) Rookie of the Year odds boards. Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone expressed to The Athletic's Michael Silver that Hunter will learn wide receiver first before eventually picking up cornerback over time.
The questions become how Hunter adapts to the physicality of playing every down at the NFL level and how the Jaguars plan to actually use him. Hunter electrified college football with his every-down presence at Colorado, earning acclaim as a prospect on both sides of the ball.
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Before he was hired as Jacksonville's coach this offseason, Liam Coen significantly altered Baker Mayfield's career trajectory as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator. The hope is for a revitalized Trevor Lawrence in Coen's pass-friendly offense. Even if Hunter is playing full snaps at wide receiver, second-year star wideout Brian Thomas Jr. commands plenty of targets following his stellar rookie season.
Defensively, with Hunter ramping up more slowly at cornerback, it's difficult to gauge his standing among other top defensive rookies. New York Giants edge Abdul Carter (+250) is the current Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite after being selected one pick after Hunter. Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker (+900), San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams (+1000) and Baltimore Ravens edge Mike Green (+1200) make up the next tier to start the season.
Given Hunter's immediate full-time attention to offense and Jacksonville's focus on an overhauled passing game, the offensive side might be the safer play. Only three cornerbacks have won Rookie of the Year since Charles Woodsen in 1998, making it a difficult position to earn enough stats to compete for awards.
The list of secondary names on the Rookie of the Year odds board drops significantly. This year's first round lacked picks featuring offensive skill positions, making it a wider gap at the top.
Following the top three on the board on the offensive side, McMillan (+1300) emerges as the next name to track, followed by Hampton (+1500).
Selecting McMillan is a vote of confidence for Carolina third-year QB Bryce Young and the team's developing offense. The Arizona product should be a significant part of the Panthers' passing game. It's easy to envision the 6-foot-4 McMillan becoming the new go-to target for Young in the red zone.
Hampton's name carries clout in this race, playing for a Los Angeles offense that could give him plenty of opportunities. Although Los Angeles signed Najee Harris away from Pittsburgh this offseason, Hampton's high selection could give him the edge as the starter. If J.K. Dobbins can put up big numbers in a Harbaugh offense coming off of multiple lost injury seasons, it's easy to envision a first-round talent like Hampton hitting the ground running.
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins and New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (both +2000) are a pair of second-round picks given a chance. Both backs are expected to get a chance at significant touches for rebuilding teams.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (+2200) and Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (+2500) are next on the list. Both will compete for targets among crowded pass-catching situations.
Betting/odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Ashton Jeanty: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
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