Early NFL Rookie of the Year Odds

It’s early, sure, but the NFL draft approaches, and with it comes the perfect time to make some extra-early Rookie of the Year predictions.

Yes, these players have yet to join a team, but their talents in college make solid cases for them being in consideration for the overall award (you know, the one sponsored by Pepsi).

Two defensive players have 15-to-1 odds to win the award—defensive end Quinton Coples and cornerback Morris Claiborne. Both are considered to be the best prospects at their positions this year, and while much depends on the team that takes them, Coples’ pass-rush skills and Claiborne’s ability to shut down top receivers give them an early edge over other defenders.

Next up are the top two quarterbacks set to go in the draft: Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Luck drops to No. 3 on this list because though he may have a strong showing in his rookie year, the Colts are in a multi-season rebuilding process that will hold down their number of wins and thus Luck’s chances to win the award. I have him at 7-to-1 odds.

Griffin will be taking the field with a team somewhat better than the Colts, but again, it’s a new-look offense he’ll be helming.

Griffin’s versatility, talent and athleticism should carry him to having better stats than Luck, and Washington should notch more wins than Indy—two reasons why he has 6-to-1 odds of winning.

Topping the list is the draft class’ best running back, Trent Richardson.

Running backs win Rookie of the Year more than any other position, partially because it’s easier for the most talented players to hit the ground running (pun partially intended) and put up big numbers right away. It will depend on which team drafts Richardson, but not all that heavily. He’s a dynamic playmaker who will seriously alter any offense of which he is a part.

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