Ricky Dimon
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The first two days of the 2022 NFL Draft have come and gone and it’s safe to say that they were absolutely wild. A quick recap of round one: wide receivers and University of Georgia defensive players flew off the board left and right, trades were made almost nonstop and quarterbacks fell. QBs continued to slide in round two, as chaos continued on Friday night.
Now that the dust has at least temporarily settled before the festivities resume on Saturday, it’s time to take a look at the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year pictures.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds and best bets
Kenny Pickett +550
Drake London +700
Garrett Wilson +700
Treylon Burks +700
Jameson Williams +700
Malik Willis +900
Kenneth Walker +1000
Desmond Ridder +1000
Breece Hall +1000
Chris Olave +1000
Sam Howell +1400
Jahan Dotson +1400
This certainly wasn’t the year for QBs in the draft and it probably won’t be the year for rookie QBs on the field. Kenny Pickett of the Steelers is the only one worth considering for this award. Malik Willis obviously isn’t ready yet and he won’t get playing time for Tennessee in 2022 behind Ryan Tannehill. Desmond Ridder won’t be starting right away in Atlanta and that offense is probably at least a year away from being decent, anyway.
I am intrigued by running backs Kenneth Walker and Breece Hall, but both will be a part of crowded backfields (Walker with the Seahawks and Hall with the Jets). New Titans receiver Treylon Burks has the best value at +700. Derrick Henry will get most of the attention from opposing defenses and Burks will be called on to produce immediately since AJ Brown was dealt to Philadelphia on Thursday. This is a great opportunity for the former Arkansas standout to rack up big numbers for a team that should be making another playoff appearance.
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds and best bets
Aidan Hutchinson +400
Kayvon Thibodeaux +450
Travon Walker +550
Quay Walker +750
Jermaine Johnson II +750
Devin Lloyd +750
Derek Stingley Jr. +900
Ahmad Gardner +900
Kyle Hamilton +1000
Jordan Davis +1400
Trent McDuffie +1400
Kaiir Elam +1800
What is the theme of NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners? Guys who terrorize opponents’ backfields, of course. The three most recent recipients are Micah Parsons, Chase Young and Nick Bosa. Among the other names dating back to 2007 are Joey Bosa, Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Ndamukong Suh and Patrick Willis. Don’t be surprised if Aidan Hutchinson (+400) joins the list. He will be motivated after getting bypassed at No. 1, but at the same time he gets to stay at home in Michigan and play for the Lions. Hutchinson racked up 14 sacks for the Wolverines this past season and awards are all about numbers. This guy will be able to fill up the stat sheet starting on day one.
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