2018 NFL Betting Props: Barkley Heavy Favorite In Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Is this the easiest NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year to call in years? The oddsmakers seem to think so. New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is a heavy favorite in the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds.

Who Is The Favorite In The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds?

The latest NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have Barkley squarely on top as a +155 favorite. The second overall pick from the draft should slot right in as the Giants’ starting running back. This gives Barkley plenty of opportunity to shine this season. Since the inception of the award in 1967 running backs have dominated, winning 33 of 51 awards. History is on Barkley’s side, as well.

One thing against Barkley winning the award is the fact that the last two winners were both underdogs entering the season. That includes last year’s winner Alvin Kamara of New Orleans and 2016 winner Dak Prescott of Dallas.

Which Quarterbacks Are Included In The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds?

The underdogs on this year’s futures start with Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield at +600. The first overall pick in this year’s draft may be a good value bet if he can unseat Tyrod Taylor as the Browns’ starting quarterback. If Mayfield begins the season on the sidelines, his chances of winning the award will likely take a hit. However, picking up Mayfield has Cleveland fans feeling positive. Many bettors in Vegas are even loading up on the Browns’ AFC North odds, and more.

Three more quarterbacks follow Mayfield with the New York Jets’ Sam Darnold at +750, the Arizona Cardinals’ Josh Rosen at +750, and the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen at +1000. All three rookies fall into the same predicament as Mayfield. Will they see the field enough to make an impact and be considered for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors?

It’s looking more and more like the answer to that question is yes for Darnold. His performance in the preseason may cause New York to jettison Teddy Bridgewater.

Rosen has Sam Bradford ahead of him in Arizona. But with the Cardinals expected to make little noise in the NFC West this season, he could easily unseat him early on in the season.

Allen may have won the starting job by default after A.J. McCarron suffered a collarbone injury last week. However, his chances of making a real impact may be lessened by the lack of strong receiving options he has in Buffalo.

The only other quarterback the oddsmakers are looking at is the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson at +1600. He’ll need to unseat Joe Flacco to make a run at the award. With Flacco’s monstrous contract, that may not be possible barring injury.

Are There Other Options To Consider In The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds?

After the run of quarterbacks, running backs take over the odds with the Seattle Seahawks’ Rashaad Penny at +1500, the New England Patriots’ Sony Michel at +1800, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Ronald Jones III at +2000.

Penny and Jones III both appear to have a leg up on the starting jobs for their teams. They could sneak through like Kamara did last year if the cards fall right. Michel’s chances of making an impact in New England may have ben squashed due to injury. He’ll miss the preseason due to a knee injury, leaving him behind Rex Burkhead, James White and possibly even Jeremy Hill on the depth chart.