Unlike the NFL MVP, Offensive Rookie of the Year has yet not become a glorified “best quarterback” award. It’s not always easy for first-year QBs to step in and have immediate success, so running backs and wide receivers at least have a chance. It’s no surprise that WRs like Drake London, George Pickens, and Chris Olave were among the preseason favorites with QB Kenny Pickett and RB Breece Hall for 2022 O-ROY, but the odds have shifted noticeably early in the season.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen four quarterbacks win the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award (Robert Griffin III, Dak Prescott, Kyler Murray, and Justin Herbert). However, four RBs (Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara, Todd Gurley, and Eddie Lacy) and two WRs (Odell Beckham Jr. and Ja’Marr Chase) have also won the award in that span. It was a similar distribution in the 10 years prior to that, with five QBs (Ben Roethlisberger, Vince Young, Matt Ryan, Sam Bradford, and Cam Newton), three RBs (Clinton Portis, Cadillac Williams, and Adrian Peterson), and two WRs (Anquan Boldin and Percy Harvin) taking home the hardware.
MORE NFL BETTING: MVP Odds
Heading into this season, Kenny Pickett (+900) was the lone quarterback in the top 15 on the odds board to win O-ROY. However, through the first two weeks of the season, there were three wide receivers with shorter odds. Seven of the top 10 are WRs, with two RBs (Breece Hall and Dameon Pierce) also high on the list.
The last time a running back won offensive rookie of the year was Saquon Barkley in ’18. During that season, Barkley had 1,307 yards on 261 carries and 11 touchdowns to go with 91 receptions for 721 yards and four touchdowns. Barkley beat out Baker Mayfield and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson even though the Giants finished with a 5-11 record and fourth in the NFC East. That tells us O-ROY winners don’t necessarily need to be on winning teams as long as they have big numbers.
Sehawks running back Kenneth Walker III is still the betting favorite (+107) to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award for the second-straight week. Walker could not duplicate what he did in Week 7 against the Chargers (167 rushing yards, 2 TDs). However, he scored his fifth rushing touchdown in as many weeks against the Giants in Week 8. At +107 odds, Walker still provides value for bettors in a race that will see odds movement for the foreseeable future.
Along with Walker, Texans running back Dameon Pierce had a down week, only rushing for 35 yards against the Titans last week. Despite his struggles on the ground, Pierce still has the second-best odds to win OROY at +222. While the favorites are getting all the attention, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson Jr. (+1110) saw his odds improve from +1375 to +1110 heading into Week 9. The former Ohio State standout had six receptions (seven targets) for 115 yards against the Patriots last week. Wilson has now posted two 100-yard receiving performances this season and will try to make it three against Super Bowl 57 favorite, the Bills on Sunday.
Below, we’ll take a look at the latest Offensive Rookie of the Year odds heading into Week 9.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds 2022
All odds courtesy of Sports Interaction
| Player | Odds |
| Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks | +107 |
| Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans | +222 |
| Chris Olave, WR, Saints | +363 |
| Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets | +1110 |
| Wan’Dale Robinson, WR Giants | +1358 |
| Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers | +1481 |
| Drake London, WR, Falcons | +1481 |
| Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers | +1851 |
| Isaih Pacheco, RB, Chiefs | +2221 |
| Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Commanders | +2221 |
| Alec Pierce, WR, Colts | +2490 |
| George Pickens, WR, Steelers | +3018 |
| Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders | +3535 |
| James Cook, RB, Bills | +3634 |
| Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers | +4160 |
| Isaiah Likely, RB, Isaiah Likely | +4160 |
| Bailey Zappe, QB, Patriots | +4442 |
| Tyquan Thornton, WR, Patriots | +4442 |
| Malik Willis, QB, Titans | +5550 |
| Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons | +5550 |
