Ezekiel Elliott Tops NFL Rookie of the Year Odds

Are you ready for some football? The first NFL exhibition game of the new season is just two weeks from Sunday. With training camps about to get going, Sports Interaction is beginning to roll out more and more season props for the NFL. And on the odds for the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is the heavy favourite at -125.

Did the Cowboys Really Need A Running Back?

The Cowboys surprised many when they took Elliott at No. 4 overall in this year’s draft in Chicago. Not because Elliott isn’t a very highly-regarded prospect. He was a huge reason that Ohio State won the first College Football Playoff in the 2014 season. Elliott rushed for 220 yards and two scores in the Big Ten title game rout of Wisconsin when OSU was an underdog. The Buckeyes were again underdogs in their semifinal against Alabama but won behind 230 yards and two scores from Elliott. And then in the national championship game, Elliott had 246 yards rushing and four scores to be named the game’s offensive MVP.

Last year, Ohio State barely missed out on the playoff but it certainly wasn’t Elliott’s fault as he rushed for 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Cowboys last took a running back in the first round in 2002 in Arkansas’ Felix Jones. That didn’t work out. But when Dallas took Emmitt Smith at No. 17 overall out of the University of Florida in 1990, that worked out pretty well as he holds the NFL career rushing record and is a Hall of Famer.

The reason some were curious why Dallas jumped on Elliott is the team already had two very solid veteran running backs in Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris. McFadden rushed for 1,089 yards last for Dallas and Morris was signed as a free agent from the Redskins. He had a 1,000-yard season as recently as 2014 and put up 1,613 yards as a rookie in 2012. In addition, the Cowboys had some glaring holes on defense they could have addressed with that No. 4 overall pick.

A running back has won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year twice this decade: the Rams’ Todd Gurley in 2015 and the Packers’ Eddie Lacy in 2013. Lacy is the very rare winner this century to win the award after not being a first-round pick. He went in Round 2.

Rams’ Jared Goff Might Not Be Starter Right Away

Next on the NFL odds is Rams quarterback Jared Goff at +700. Los Angeles traded a fortune in draft picks to move up from No. 15 in the first round to get Tennessee’s No. 1 overall pick and take Goff out of the University of California. He’s not considered as good as a prospect as last year’s top pick, Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston. In fact, Goff isn’t considered the Rams’ starter at the moment. Journeyman Case Keenum is. But Coach Jeff Fisher has said Goff will start as soon as he’s “ready.” Most experts believe that will be Week 1. Only once has a team had back-to-back Offensive Rookie of the Year winners: Detroit had the NFL’s first two in Mel Farr (1967) and Earl McCullouch (’68).
Minnesota Vikings receiver Laquon Treadwell rounds out the top-three favourites at +1200 on NFL Rookie of the Year odds. He should start from Day 1, but the Vikings don’t pass a lot because they have Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s rushing king in 2015.

A quarterback, running back or wide receiver has won every Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. But you can bet on Dolphins offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (+2000), Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (+3000) or Buccaneers kicker Robert Aguayo (+5000).

2016 Offensive Rookie Of Year Odds: Prediction

Elliott probably does win this, but I think Texans receiver Will Fuller is great value at +2000 in these betting odds. He was the fastest receiver in this year’s class and should get plenty of deep chances from new Houston QB Brock Osweiler. Opposing defenses will have to focus on fellow receiver DeAndre Hopkins, leaving Fuller in single coverage all day.