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Pickens Excites the Market

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When it comes to betting on different types of NFL odds, one market that can swing widely throughout the season is the futures market. Especially when it comes to individual player awards, like Most Valuable Player or Offensive or Defensive Rookie of the Year, it doesn’t take much for people to change their thinking on who could win. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has become a darling of the Offensive Rookie of the Year market over the past week.

Picken, a second-round pick out of Georgia, saw his odds go from +2800 to +1200 in a week thanks to a strong preseason debut and week at training camp. During his debut with Pittsburgh, Pickens caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. Pickens sank in the draft after tearing his ACL before the 2021 season and only played in four games for the Bulldogs.

While Pickens has become a media darling thus far, let’s take a look at other top options to win rookie of the year.

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

One problem for Pickens’ candidacy is he could face competition from fellow rookie Pickett, who the Steelers took in the first round. Pickett has the lowest odds at +700.

One problem for Pickett’s chances of winning is that he may not end up being the starting quarterback. Pittsburgh signed veteran quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the offseason, and he may start the season as the No. 1 quarterback.

Anyone interested in betting Pickett may want to see if they can get a better number as the season goes along.

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

Hall, an Iowa State product who is +800 to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year, got his first taste of NFL action by carrying the ball five times for 15 yards in the Jets’ preseason opener. Hall’s biggest challenge may be what happens with New York’s quarterback spot. New York quarterback Zach Wilson injured his knee in the first preseason game.

While Wilson isn’t lost for the season, he had knee surgery and will be out for a few months. Wilson will be replaced by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who may open things up for Hall. Flacco led the Ravens to a Super Bowl earlier in his career, and his deep passing could open up space for Hall in the running game.

Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

London, a +900 option for Rookie of the Year, survived a scare in the Falcons’ first preseason game. During Atlanta’s first preseason game against the Detroit Lions, London hauled in a 24-yard pass, then landed funny. London will miss a week of practice due to a knee injury.

London had a strong junior year at USC. If he stays healthy with Atlanta, London should be able to pile up the yards.

The Falcons will need to find a quarterback to throw him the ball. Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder will likely both see time for Atlanta this season.

Skyy Moore, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Moore has the dream situation many rookies envy. When Moore came into the league, he was immediately paired with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes, who led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl a few years ago, will be eager to utilize Moore, who is a speedster out of Western Michigan.

Moore, who is +1100 to win Rookie of the Year honors, caught three passes for 23 yards in the Chiefs’ first preseason game. With Tyreek Hill having left the team in free agency, Moore can take advantage of the void created and haul in some extra passes.

Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

Watson, who is +1100, is entering a good place for a rookie wide receiver to pick up a lot of stats. Green Bay still has quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the Packers lost their top two receiving targets. Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling both left the team following last season.

Watson, a North Dakota State product, is looking to bounce back from a knee procedure he underwent in the offseason.

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