One of the best things that an NFL team can do is hit on their draft picks, and there are a few rookies who have great chances to win the ROY awards. Good teams become good because of two things, usually. The first is hitting on the quarterback, and the second is being able to draft well.
There are teams across the NFL who have accomplished just one of these, none of them, or both. Hitting on draft picks and seeing the rookies perform well has to be a great feeling for NFL front offices, no matter what the position is, but especially if it’s a position of need. So far in 2022, there have been a few rookies, perhaps some surprising ones, that have performed well enough to be considered some of of the favorites to win rookie of the year awards.
Which rookies are favorites to win on the offensive side?
Rotowire.com takes odds from various draft sites and compiles them into a list. On the offensive side of the ball, Jets’ rookie Breece Hall is the current favorite to win the offensive rookie of the year award. Funnily enough, the top three in odds are all running backs.
Behind Hall is Dameon Pierce of the Houston Texans, and behind him is Ken Walker of the Seattle Seahawks. All three players have made noticeable impacts for their teams in their rookie seasons. Breece Hall has helped turn the Jets around. He’s got 391 rushing yards, a 5.1 yards per attempt, and 218 receiving yards.
He’s on pace for over 1,700 yards from scrimmage in his rookie season, and is on pace for roughly 1,100 rushing yards. Hall has become the clear RB1 in New York and is able to take a bit of pressure off of Zach Wilson.
If the Jets can finish with a respectable record, Hall is likely winning the ORoY award.
Which rookies are favorites to win on the defensive side?
If Breece Hall wasn’t enough, Jets’ rookie Sauce Gardner is the favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The first cornerback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft has already proven to be one of the better corners in the NFL.
He has helped the Jets‘ defense reach a new level this season. He’s got eight passes defended, one interception, and 23 total tackles. His long frame and speed makes him a complete cornerback and looks to be heading towards the lockdown category.
Other rookies who are favorites to win this award are Devin Lloyd of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.