NFL Rookie of the Year 2017-18: Award Candidates, Odds and Predictions

While football fans' focus may be almost solely on Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, there are still plenty of individual awards for players across the NFL we should keep an eye on.

Here, we'll tackle Rookie of the Year.

This seems to be a four horse race, featuring all running backs.

Unfortunately, due to injury, Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson is not mentioned. With that said, it's safe to say he would have had as good a shot as any based on the play he exhibited while he was healthy.

It appears that there is one player leading the way, with the other three candidates looking to simply place second. However, it's worth mentioning these odds are from late November of 2017.

Who has such a commanding odds lead? Look below to find out!

2017-18 NFL Rookie of the Year Odds

Alvin Kamara (NO): 1-4

Leonard Fournette (JAC): 4-1

Kareem Hunt (KC): 9-1

Christian McCaffrey (CAR): 20-1

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

What a season Alvin Kamara had. Coming into the year, it was unclear what his status in the offense would be with running backs Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson, but after AP was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, Kamara started getting to work.

Totaling 14 touchdowns (eight rushing, five receiving, one kick return), Kamara ran for over 725 yards on 120 carries (6.1 yards per carry) and caught 81 passes for 826 yards.

So, with just over 200 touches, Kamara had more than 1,550 total yards.

You don't need to be a football expert to figure this out—that's almost unheard of.

In fact, his touchdown feats have only been done once before. In Week 17, Kamara joined Gale Sayers as the only NFL rookie's in history to have five rushing touchdowns, five receiving touchdowns and one kick return touchdown in their debut season.

Kamara will be our Rookie of the Year.

Prediction: Kamara wins Rookie of the Year

Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

The start of Hunt's pro career is a player's worst nightmare—a fumble right off the bat.

After that happened, though, something seemingly awakened in Hunt.

Carrying the ball 272 times, Hunt rushed for 1,327 yards, had eight rushing touchdowns and also picked up three more touchdowns on 53 receptions for 455 yards.

The stats speak for themselves—collectively, Hunt was incredible.

However, all of his touchdowns came in the first three weeks and the last four weeks of the season—he went nine straight games without scoring.

Of course, that could have something to do with playcalling and whatnot, but it's still worth noting.

Not only that, but over that same stretch, Hunt went for over 100 yards just twice.

That's what separates Hunt from Kamara—Kamara was consistent, whereas Hunt had the majority of his production in segments during the season.

Still, though, an incredible season for the rookie.

Prediction: Hunt finishes third

Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The 2017-18 season was one for the ages for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

They came incredibly close to capturing the AFC spot in the Super Bowl but fell just short to the Patriots, 24-20, in the AFC Championship.

A big part of their success came from rookie running back Leonard Fournette.

Here are his numbers: 268 carries for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns; 36 receptions for 302 yards and one receiving touchdown.

That's the regular season.

In the postseason, Fournette continued to lift the Jags, scoring four more touchdowns over three games, but he averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry.

The efficiency wasn't quite there for Fournette all season long.

Ultimately, his success in the postseason cannot go unnoticed, but it's still not enough to supplant Kamara. Instead, what edges him out over Hunt is the importance he had to his team, despite the lack of efficiency—coming up big in the playoffs with all of those touchdowns really put the Jags in prime positions. Hunt may have had the better cumulative numbers, but the context is important.

Prediction: Fournette finishes second

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

When we reflect on the 2017-18 season, the joke is often made that McCaffrey is really just a slot receiver.

And hey, that's not too far off. Catching 80 passes for 651 yards and five touchdowns, McCaffrey's receiving totals far outweigh his rushing—117 carries for 435 yards and two touchdowns.

McCaffrey also went under four yards per carry rushing, too.

In the end, McCaffrey still provided another element to the Panthers' offense, but his lack of rushing production for being a running back is what lands him fourth in the fight.

Still, though, it's apparent McCaffrey will be utilized in myriad ways with the Panthers moving forward, improving their team.

Maybe a switch to a full-time slot receiver is what will really put McCaffrey over the top?

Prediction: McCaffrey finishes fourth

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference. All betting information courtesy of SportsLine.