NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Mac Jones or Ja'Marr Chase?

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Mac Jones or Ja'Marr Chase?

The shortlist of contenders from the 2021 NFL draft class have one last chance to state their case for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. As it stands, it’s a two-horse race between Ja’Marr Chase and Mac Jones, with the former emerging as the short-odds-on favorite across multiple top-rated sports betting platforms.

Here we look at the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds that are currently trading with DraftKings Sportsbook for this pair of rising NFL stars.

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Ja’Marr Chase (-250)

Rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is the runaway favorite to win the coveted AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award (OROY). The standout wide receiver has had a stellar season uniting with his former teammate Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.

Most recently, Chase put in a season-defining performance as he caught 11 of 12 targets thrown his way and galloped for a whopping 266 yards and three touchdowns in a stunning 34-31 upset over the Kansas City Chiefs. In the wake of that win, the Bengals clinched the AFC North title for the first time since 2015 – a feat that brought head coach Zac Taylor to tears.

Going into Week 18, Chase has 79 receptions for 1,429 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s fourth overall behind Cooper Kupp (1,829), Justin Jefferson (1,509), and Davante Adams (1,496).

How the first-year wideout performs in the season-finale will certainly augment his chances of wrapping up the award. Joe Burrow will sit out the final game against the Cleveland Browns after tweaking a knee injury in Week 17. That might mean Chase’s performance may suffer.

That said, his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds to win the award haven’t suffered, which is a good sign for those looking to back the wide receiver in the betting.

Mac Jones (+190)

Rookie quarterback Mac Jones is the second-best bet to win this coveted award, but a good distance off Ja’Marr Chase on the NFL odds board. As things currently stand, oddsmakers would appear to be giving it to the Bengals wide receiver. That said, there’s still one more game to be played and one last chance for Jones to underscore his odds as the viable underdog.

The New England Patriots face the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 with the division title on the line. The Buffalo Bills are in pole position, and a win over the New York Jets on Sunday would seal their second-straight divisional crown. Should the Jets pull off the unthinkable and defeat the Bills in Week 18, the division title and the top four seed that comes with it would go to Bill Belichick’s side.

The Patriots have the advantage of playing on Saturday. All eyes are sure to be on Mac Jones because his performance against his former Alabama teammate Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins will determine his worthiness for the prestigious OROY award.

Jones is undoubtedly the top rookie quarterback, and he sits 13th overall in the standings with 3,540 passing yards. He has 21 passing touchdowns to 12 interceptions and an average passer rating of 92.5 percent.

Going into the season, Jones was an afterthought in this market after the hyped-up Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson, both of which were amongst the top two favorites to win the OROY. Tale told both dropped out of the race well before the season hit the halfway mark.

To overlook his contribution would be a grievous error. A year after the Patriots finished 6-10, they're back in the playoffs. Jones has had a hand in that outcome.

Last Sunday's performance highlights this notion. Jones and the Patriots dropped a 50 burger on the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 50-10 victory at the Foxborough. Jones completed 22 of his 30 passes while throwing for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His rating was an impressive 128.1.

Playing for one of the greatest coaches in the league has certainly helped mold Jones into a rising star in the game. And yet, by that very same token, it might hurt his chances of winning this award. The debate boils down to whether his success is down to his talent or just solid coaching? It’s probably a bit of both. Perhaps, if he has a truly defining game against the Dolphins, he may well quash his detractors and steal this award.

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