Who will challenge Joe Burrow for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year?
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow first overall. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire)
April 29th, 2020
The 2020 NFL Draft has come and gone, providing added clarity for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year race.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the favorite to take top offensive rookie honors, after he was picked first overall last week. But unlike his draft selection, winning this award is far from a lock.
Odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
| Player | Odds |
|---|
Joe Burrow | +225 |
Tua Tagovailoa | +800 |
Clyde Edwards-Helaire | +800 |
Jonathan Taylor | +900 |
D'Andre Swift | +900 |
Jerry Jeudy | +1000 |
CeeDee Lamb | +1500 |
Justin Herbert | +1500 |
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
The situation Joe Burrow is entering into in Cincinnati isn’t terrible. He’ll have a number of weapons at his disposal that should help with his development as a rookie, and that could be crucial to him winning this award.
His group of receivers will include A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Russ, and 2020 second-round pick Tee Higgins out of Clemson. There had been speculation that Higgins could have been one of the receivers taken in the first round. That he fell to the Bengals on Day 2 is a nice win for them, both as a short and longterm option.
Burrow will also have a talented running back in Joe Mixon, and the return of offensive lineman Jonah Williams, the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft who missed all of last season due to injury, should also benefit Burrow in his first year.
No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow has been studying the Bengals’ offense for weeks now, and one source said that he is so far ahead that he will be able to challenge for the starting QB job right away.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2020
A potential worry with rookie quarterbacks may be a lack of time preparing for the season with teammates, due to restrictions currently in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
That could mean less time working to develop chemistry with veteran and rookie receivers, which could hinder the immediate success of any rookie QB – not just Burrow.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City Chiefs)
Running backs have won this award three times in the past five years, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire has the best odds of any rookies at this position.
The odds of Edwards-Helaire winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year are currently +800 at BetAmerica, but that’s following a significant change in the odds from +2000 last week.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd overall pick last Thursday – the final pick of the first round.
He was only running back to go in the first round.
After posting 1,414 yards rushing, 16 rushing touchdowns, and 453 yards receiving last season with the LSU Tigers, Edwards-Helaire joins that dizzying Chiefs offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
If Edwards-Helaire can win the battle for the starting running back job in Kanas City – he’ll be competing with veteran Damien Williams – he would be ideally placed into one of the highest scoring offenses from last season.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added to their offense with the selection of Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He’s a long shot to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, with odds of +2800 at BetAmerica.
But there could be a huge opportunity to produce in Tampa Bay – if he can take over as the starting running back this year. He’ll be in competition with Ronald Jones II, a former second-round pick from the 2018 draft who showed promising signs in his second year after a disappointing rookie campaign.
The Buccaneers lauded Vaughn’s ability as a runner, but also as a pass-catching running back that could fit right in with the offense head coach Bruce Arians wants to run with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
Former Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn drafted No. 76 by Tampa Bay pic.twitter.com/gSo8QxDV4D
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) April 25, 2020
There’s value in this bet, and it could provide a significant payout if Vaughn is able to win the starter’s job and make a sudden impact on the Buccaneers offense now loaded with talent.
Opt for rookie running backs - at least this year
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray won this award last year, and he's an intriguing bet to win Offensive Player of the Year in his second season.
But going with a running back to win Offensive Rookie of the Year for the upcoming season may be the better option, especially if quarterbacks like Burrow aren’t able to work out with their receivers prior to training camp.
Multiple running backs could take over the starting role in good offenses, with opportunities to make an immediate impact. Additionally, they provide decent value, too.