Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft: Andrew Luck Is the Early Favorite for ROY Honors

The Indianapolis Colts finally made it official when selecting former Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft last Thursday night in New York City.

The Greek sports book has released Luck as the favorite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors at betting odds of +300, but this is not the first time he's been in this position for a prestigious award during his football career.

Luck was the 2011 Heisman Trophy front runner for the entire year before being surpassed by eventual winner Robert Griffin III (+600) out of Baylor in the final weeks of the season. The duo have been linked ever since the hardware was handed out on Dec. 10 in the Big Apple.

Indianapolis is certainly in a rebuilding mode after finishing 2-14 a year ago, leaving the franchise no choice but to part ways with the face of the franchise for more than a decade, with Peyton Manning ultimately signing with the Denver Broncos after missing the entire 2011 season with a neck injury.

The Colts' passing attack ranked 27th in the league in averaging 187.2 yards per game, as three different players lined up under center in hopes of replacing a future Hall of Fame QB.

It's nearly a lock that the 22-year-old out of Houston will make his first professional start in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears on the road on Sept. 9, but that doesn't mean he should be the top choice in this category. 

He has a tough act to follow after Cam Newton was selected by the Carolina Panthers out of Auburn with the first pick in 2011, throwing for 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns, while adding 14 rushing scores on his way to achieving this honor.

I don't expect those gaudy stats from Luck in 2012.

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