NFL Rookie of the Year Odds | Pickett & Hutchinson leading the opening lines

As the newest rookie class takes to the field this upcoming NFL season, the New York Post takes you through the odds for this years offensive and defensive rookie of the year award. Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons won the awards in 2021 in an impressive rookie field.

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NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds 2022

Player	Position	Team	Odds
Kenny Pickett	QB	Pittsburgh Steelers	+500
Drake London	WR	Atlanta Falcons	+700
Treylon Burks	WR	Tennessee Titans	+800
Breece Hall	RB	New York Jets	+800
Christian Watson	WR	Green Bay Packers	+800
Garrett Wilson	WR	New York Jets	+900
Kenneth Walker III	RB	Seattle Seahawks	+1000
Chris Olave	WR	New Orleans Saints	+1000
Skyy Moore	WR	Kansas City Chiefs	+1000
Jameson WIlliams	WR	Detroit Lions	+1200

• All other players +1500 or higher

NFL Rookie of the Year: The Favorites

Kenny Pickett — QB, Pittsburgh Steelers +500

Pickett led his Pitt Panthers to an 11-2 record in his 13 starts in 2021 along with an ACC Championship, and he parlayed that into being the 20th overall pick, going to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Pickett may be the most NFL-ready QB in this class, so it’s possible he slots in ahead of Mitchell Trubisky and plays right away. The Steelers don’t view their young QB as much of a project, so the idea of purposely sitting him doesn’t suit anyone’s needs. 

Drake London — WR, Atlanta Falcons +700

The standout USC wide receiver was the first skill position player to go when the Atlanta Falcons took him at No. 8. After making 72 catches for 1,069 total yards in his first two seasons, London broke out with 88 receptions and 1,084 yards in 2021 to go with seven touchdowns. 

The six-foot-four wideout joins an offense that has Kyle Pitts as the No. 1 option but needs other weapons to step up in the absence of Calvin Ridley. It makes perfect sense that London could plug in and play, which could lead to an immediate statistical impact and Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration. 

Treylon Burks — WR, Tennessee Titans +800

The Tennessee Titans’ pick at No. 18 overall, Treylon Burks was a bit under the radar compared to the likes of London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams. But the six-foot-three, 225-pound wideout from Arkansas ran an impressive 4.55 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine. 

The Titans’ offense will always revolve around Derrick Henry, but with A.J. Brown now in Philadelphia, available receptions appear to be more open. If Burks steps right in as a focal point of the passing offense, we could definitely see consideration for OROY by season’s end. 

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds 2022

Player	Position	Team	Odds
Aidan Hutchinson	DE	Detroit Lions	+500
Kayvon Thibodeaux	LB	New York Giants	+550
Travon Walker	LB	Jacksonville Jaguars	+600
Devin Lloyd	LB	Jacksonville Jaguars	+900
Jermaine Johnson	DE	New York Jets	+900
Quay Walker	LB	Green Bay Packers	+900
Ahmad Gardner	CB	New York Jets	+1000
Kyle Hamilton	S	Baltimore Ravens	+1000
Derek Stingley	CB	Houston Texans	+1000

• All others +1400 or higher.

Aidan Hutchinson — DE, Detroit Lions +500

Many expected Hutchinson to be the top pick, and plenty of us thought he should’ve been, but he went No. 2 to the Lions. The standout defensive end from Michigan had an incredible 2021 season, racking up 16.5 tackles for loss and 62 total tackles to go with the third-most sacks in college football (14). 

At six-foot-nine and 270 points, Hutchinson is an explosive pass rusher. It doesn’t hurt that he’s also able to adapt to multiple schemes, which should improve his ability to get to the QB at the NFL level right away. 

Winning this award requires some statistics, and you’re going to need a player to come in and get some sacks right away. Hutchinson is certainly capable of that, though the odds aren’t great and you’ll see as we move down the list that several defensive ends have a shot. 

Kayvon Thibodeaux — DE, NY Giants +550

If there was a pass rusher you built-in a lab somewhere, it might be Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. Once a potential No. 1 pick, he ended up with the New York Giants at No. 5 and should make an immediate impact at MetLife Stadium.

Thibodeaux boasts a combination of size, speed, and athleticism that will make him a challenge for NFL offensive lineman on day one, assuming his ankle is fully healthy. He’s got a massive wingspan and a great first step, and he has a real chance to win DROY in 2022. 

Travon Walker — DE, Jacksonville Jaguars +600

The No. 1 overall pick from the SEC powerhouse University of Georgia clocks in at six-foot-five and 275 pounds. While many will point to Walker needing to be a more effective pass rusher, we should keep in mind that this will be his first time training at exclusively one position. 

He’s already an effective run stopper due to his ability to shed blocks, so if the pass rush comes along, everybody watch out. It’s no surprise the top pick is near the top of the board, but how far his teammates develop with him may have an impact on his ability to win.

Former NFL Rookie of the Year Winners

Year	NFL OROY	NFL DROY
2021	Ja’Marr Chase (WR)	Micah Parsons (LB)
2020	Justin Herbert (QB)	Chase Young (DE)
2019	Kyler Murray (QB)	Nick Bosa (DL)
2018	Saquon Barkley (RB)	Darius Leonard (LB)
2017	Alvin Kamara (RB)	Marshon Lattimore (DB)
2016	Dak Prescott (QB)	Joey Bosa (DL)
2015	Todd Gurley (RB)	Marcus Peters (DB)