NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Kenny Picket Leads the Way

Now that the 2022 NFL draft is over, this year's rookie class will battle it out to see who makes the biggest impact on their team. The draft was dominated by a new generation of pash rushers, cover cornerbacks and hulking offensive tackles. Eventually, NFL teams would go on a wide receiver run that saw six receivers drafted in the first round.

Surprisingly, a wide receiver is not the current favorite to win NFL offensive rookie of the year. That honor goes to the lone quarterback drafted in the first round, Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Here is what the current odds look like via Vegas Insider:

Kenny Pickett +600
Drake London +650
Garrett Wilson +750
Treylon Burks +800
Breece Hall +800
Jameson Williams +1000
Kenneth Walker III +1000
Chris Olave +1000
Christian Watson +1000
Malik Willis +1200
Skyy Moore +1200
Desmond Ridder +1600
Jahan Dotson +1600
James Cook +1600
Trey McBride +2200
Matt Corral +2500
Isaiah Spiller +3300
Sam Howell +4000
Kyren Williams +4000
Carson Strong +4000
Dameon Pierce +4000
George Pickens +4000
John Metchie III +4000
Alec Pierce +5000
Justyn Ross +5000
Jalen Tolbert +5000
Wan'Dale Robinson +6600
Rachaad White +6600
Tyquan Thornton +8000
Zamir White +8000

New Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Best Bets

Two things are going to factor in the winner of this award: narrative and opportunity; and Kenny Pickett has both. Fans and voters love a good story, so if Pickett is able to step in right away and lead the Steelers to the playoffs, he's a good bet to win the award. In fact, he doesn't even need to have an outstanding statistical season. A playoff push in the hyper-competitive AFC could be all that he needs.

Drake London and the other receivers might cancel themselves out of award contention. The new Atlanta Falcons receiver will get plenty of targets, but the Falcons are expected to have a tough season and depending on Marcus Mariota to effectively get him the ball is questionable.

In fact, that is the problem with all first-round receivers, as they are either playing with potential backups or young players hoping to make a leap. This is why Skyy Moore and Christian Watson make interesting bets. Both second-rounders are playing alongside two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and are technically replacing franchise stallwarts Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams. The opportunity is there for them to catch a significant amount of catches on very good teams, a story voters love (check last year's winner, Ja'Marr Chase of the Bengals).

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NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: What about the RB's?

Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III and James Cook were drafted in to make an immediate impact on their teams' offenses. Hall is expected to take some of the pressure off of Zach Wilson at the Jets. Walker III will be a key member of the run-first mentality of the Seahawks. Cook will be looking to add another dimesion to the Bills' running game that has been missing for the past few years.

The problem with all three of these running backs is that there is someone standing in their way. Hall will be battling Michael Carter Jr. for carries in New York and Cook will join Devin Singletary and Zach Moss in the crowded Buffalo backfield. Walker III has the biggest opportunity to take the job in Seattle as the often injured Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson stand in his way.

Looking for a darkhouse? I love Dameon Pierce in Houston, who is more talented than his competitors, Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead. Plus, both of those veterans have trouble staying on the field.