NFL 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year: 2 Players to Bet Now

Now that the NFL Draft has concluded, we can all start looking ahead to the upcoming season. The oddsmakers have as well, as the Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have already the market. Let's take a look at the odds, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook, and touch on a couple of the players that standout.

Favorite: Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars (+300)

The No. 1 pick is currently the clear-cut favorite to bring home the award. Lawrence, who has been labeled the next "can't miss" quarterback, has been a winner at every level. The QB will start from Week 1, like Joe Burrow did last season.

The Jags did select his college running back Travis Etienne with pick No. 25, which will help the young QB. With guys like Marvin Jones, D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault, and now Etienne, Lawrence will have weapons around him to put up some numbers. But, this core group will need time to gel.

I envision Lawrence having a season like Burrow did last year, where we see flashes of brilliance. On the flip side, Burrow was also running for his life on every snap, so Jacksonville needs to fortify its front to make sure they are able to protect their franchise QB.

While I love Lawrence and see him becoming a great QB, I'm personally staying away from the chalk here. 3-1 is too short for my liking, especially with the offensive line they currently have.

Value: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (+1100)

Absolutely love these odds on Chase to win OROY! There was some chatter that the Bengals might go OL with their first pick, but ultimately they decided to pair Burrow with his former college teammate.

The WR opted out of the 2020 season, but the last time he was on the field he put up monster stats, 1,780 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns (most in FBS).

At 11-1, I love this price on a WR that is going to start Week 1, play with his guy at QB, and catch tons of touchdowns. I'm also a fan of this bet because one of his personal goals is to win rookie of the year. I like that mentality for a rookie WR.

BetQL Managing Editor Thomas Casale also is betting on a huge season from the stud rookie. He already bet Chase to grab OVER 7.5 touchdowns this season.

"7.5? Is that his total for the season or the first two months? If Joe Burrow plays at least 14 games, Chase goes over this number for fun."

How's that for confidence?

As long as Burrow comes back healthy and the OL can keep him upright, Chase will be in the mix for this award. The kid is as good as advertised.

Longshot: DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (+1600)

The Smith situation is similar to Chase's. The Eagles spent draft capital to jump up and grab him to pair with his former college teammate, QB Jalen Hurts.

There's a reason Philly traded up for Smith. During his senior season at Alabama, he caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and an insane 23 touchdowns in just 11 games. He won the College Football Playoff Offensive MVP award, the Biletnikoff Award (college football's best wide receiver), and the 2020 Heisman Trophy, all while winning the National Championship. Not too shabby of a season, right?

The star WR is also hyped to play with Hurts. “Jalen, that’s my guy,” Smith said via Reuben Frank of NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com.

When you look at the Eagles roster, you can see why they took a WR with their first pick. Smith becomes their WR1 overnight, which bodes well for this wager.

At double digits this is a smart bet as Smith can lead rookies in receiving yards since the volume will be there.