Best Odds & Picks for Offensive Rookie of the Year (2022)
Although the top five picks of the draft were defensive players, several rookies on the offensive side could provide an immediate impact on their team. The Offensive Rookie of the Year award is up for grabs, and it largely depends on the number of opportunities each player gets. Most rookies do not get the chance to start in Week 1, so it becomes hard for them to build a good enough résumé relative to a rookie who started all year.
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Breece Hall (+1000 via FanDuel)
Breece Hall is an explosive, three-down running back who is very capable of breaking off big chunks of yardage. Hall has great speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) and is shifty. He had just under 4,000 total rushing yards with an average of 5.5 yards per attempt. He also had five touchdown runs of 75 or more yards during his three years at Iowa State, which shows his ability to break long runs.
The backfield in New York is quite full, as the Jets like to run the football. Head coach Robert Saleh has already said that he intends to use a plethora of guys at the position, but Hall could set himself apart with his playmaking ability. Having caught 82 passes for six TDs in college, they may find other ways of getting him the ball, as well.
In camp, he is showing that he can break off a long run whenever he touches the ball. He will get an opportunity, which could lead to more if he takes advantage. Michael Carter and Tevin Coleman are currently listed above Hall on the Jets’ unofficial depth chart, although all three are likely to share the load. The Jets spent a second-round pick on Hall and will look to utilize him immediately.
Chris Olave (+1200 via Caesars)
Chris Olave is in a great position in New Orleans. Michael Thomas is returning from injuries and Jarvis Landry was added in the offseason. Jameis Winston is coming back from an ACL injury he suffered after starting seven games last season. He was not throwing for 319 yards per game like when he led the league in passing yards in 2019 with Tampa Bay, but he was taking care of the ball (14 TDs and three interceptions) and had the highest touchdown percentage (8.7% of attempted passes) of his career during his limited time last season.
Oddsmakers expect Olave to benefit from the talent around him because he is the favorite to have the most receiving yards amongst rookies on DraftKings. Olave played four seasons at Ohio State and became the school’s all-time leader in receiving TDs with 35. He has a nose for the end zone and top-end speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash) to burst past coverages. Now he has a quarterback who can throw the deep ball as well as anyone. Jameis Winston and Olave could connect for plenty of TDs this year, especially with Thomas and Landry receiving their due attention from defenses.
Skyy Moore (+1400 via Caesars)
Skyy Moore is another rookie wide receiver who is in a great offense in Kansas City. The loss of Tyreek Hill in the offseason will likely be felt, but the additions of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will likely lessen the blow. Of course, they still have Travis Kelce at tight end, who will be Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target.
Moore had 95 receptions and accumulated 1,292 receiving yards at Western Michigan last season. He runs a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and is an excellent route runner. He is not going to replace Tyreek Hill, but he will be an open target for Mahomes. They have also been lining him up in the backfield, so the opportunity for touches will be there for Moore. He is playing on an explosive offense, and he should add to that. Mahomes is building chemistry with new players this year; if Moore becomes someone that can be trusted, he may be able to put up numbers that can win this award.
Jalen Tolbert (+2000 via PointsBet)
The circumstances are a little different in Dallas for Jalen Tolbert. James Washington suffered an injury in camp and Michael Gallup is recovering from a torn ACL, so Tolbert is the second receiver on the Cowboys’ first unofficial depth chart. The reps he is getting in practice could be what helps him transition to the professional ranks and become a reliable option for Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have thrown the ball a ton with Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator, and the targets must go somewhere.
Tolbert played at South Alabama and was the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He had 1,474 yards on 82 receptions for an average of 18 yards per catch. His ability to get open on deeper routes fits perfectly into the offense’s scheme. He does not have top-end speed (4.49-second 40-yard dash), but he will receive less attention playing alongside a frequently double-teamed CeeDee Lamb.
Tolbert is as low as +1000 at DraftKings, so this presents good value for a player who is playing on a good offense. Third-round draft picks do not usually get the opportunity to start in Week 1, but Tolbert is receiving that opportunity. If he can prove himself and earn the job, he could easily do enough in this offense to win the award.
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