Last year, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin captured the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. This year, there are several talented rookies that figure to be in the running for the NFL’s top newcomer on offense. Here’s a look at the top 3 favorites and a viable longshot to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors during the 2010 regular season:
Top 3 Favorites To Win NFL Offensive ROY: (odds from BetUs.com)
1. Dez Bryant (odds from BetUs.com”>+500 odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie if the Year)
Bryant could be the most intriguing of the top offensive rookies this season. The Dallas Cowboys grabbed the Oklahoma State wideout with the 24th pick in the first round of the draft. Bryant played in only three games in his final collegiate season after being suspended by the NCAA. He had a huge year for the OSU Cowboys in 2008 with 87 receptions and 19 touchdowns. Bryant could beat out veteran Roy Williams for the Cowboys number two receiver spot behind the emerging Miles Austin.
2. Ryan Mathews (odds from BetUs.com”>+500 odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie if the Year)
Mathews was the first running back to come off the board in last spring’s draft as the number twelve overall choice in the first round by the San Diego Chargers. With longtime Chargers standout LaDainian Tomlinson no longer on board, Mathews should be the primary runner for San Diego in 2010. The Chargers were 31st in the league in rushing in 2009 while ranking last in yards per carry average at 3.3. In his final season at Fresno State, Mathews was second in the nation in rushing with 1,808 yards.
3. Jahvid Best (odds from BetUs.com”>+600 odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie if the Year)
After finishing in the bottom 10 in the NFL in rushing in each of the last five years, the Lions are hoping that Best will provide a spark for its backfield. The California running back was tabbed by Detroit with the 30th pick in the opening round of the draft. While some concussion issues kept Best on the sidelines in the second half of last season, he still put up some big numbers for the Bears during his final two collegiate seasons. He gained over 2,400 yards on the ground with 27 touchdown runs in 2008-09 for California. Best is expected to get a good deal of the carries in the Detroit backfield along with Kevin Smith.
BEST ROI POTENTIAL LONG SHOT
Tim Tebow (+2000 odds to win NFL Offensive Rookie if the Year)
While Tebow was the most heralded player in all of college football in his final three seasons for the Florida Gators, he is viewed as a longshot to win top rookie honors. Tebow went right after Bryant in the draft to the Denver Broncos. While it is fairly easy for running backs and wide receivers to start right away as rookies, many teams are reluctant to start rookie signal-callers. Tebow will likely begin the year on the bench behind veteran quarterback Kyle Orton. However, his unique ability to run the football as a quarterback could get him into some action early in the 2010 campaign. With star wideout Brandon Marshall no longer in Denver, Orton may struggle to match last year’s production. This could enable Tebow to become the starter sooner than expected for the Broncos.
Also check out updated 2011 Super Bowl Odds and winning NFL Picks once the 2010 NFL season kicks off.
About Trev Rogers
[...] I looked at a little homemade practice film of Bryant (below)and did a quick scouting report on him. He has shown tremendous speed out of breaks and incredible hands. I believe he has yet to drop a ball to date. He has been able to separate from cornerbacks, including Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman. He needs to work on his release against press coverage, but so far, he appears to be the real deal. He’s Vegas’ favorite to win Rookie of the Year. [...]