The latest NFL Rookie of the Year odds make it appear that one of the races has been decided. But no one has won anything as long as there are games on the schedule.
For weeks, Houston Texans quarterback C.J Stroud has been a heavy favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. As for the Defensive Rookie of the Year, Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter has been in the driver’s seat all season.
The best NFL betting sites accept bets on Rookie of the Year odds almost all year, and you can make them easily with a free account. See below for how to get one.
Current NFL ROTY odds
Here are the latest NFL Rookie of the Year odds from the best sports betting sites. Click on any odds to register for an account and claim your new customer sign-up bonuses.
Offensive Rookie of the Year odds
Who are the Offensive Rookie of the Year odds favorites?
- C.J. Stroud, quarterback, Houston Texans
Not only is he a heavy favorite to win OROY, but Stroud is a legitimate candidate for NFL MVP. Why? He’s taken a Houston team that’s been a cellar-dweller the last few seasons and has them poised to make the playoffs at 7-5.
Heading into Week 14, he leads the NFL in passing yards, has the best touchdown-to-interception ratio among full-time starting quarterbacks at 4-to-1, and is one of four quarterbacks that have started every game with a passer rating over 100 (and the only rookie).
He set the rookie record for most passing yards in a single game (470) earlier this season and could surpass Andrew Luck’s season record 4,374.
- Puka Nacua, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams
A relative unknown when the season started, Nacua burst onto the scene in the first two weeks of the season. With Cooper Kupp sidelined, Nacua was targeted 35 times, catching 25 (10 and 15) for 266 yards (119 and 147).
He’s cooled down since then but is one of nine receivers with 1,000+ yards and could be the only rookie to surpass that mark this season.
As good as his season has been, he’ll need to produce like he did in the first two games down the stretch to have even a remote shot at overtaking Stroud.
- Bijan Robinson, running back, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson was the preseason favorite. He got off to a strong start with a 100+ yard day in his second game in the NFL, but he has only one other 100+ yard day this season and didn’t record a rushing touchdown until Week 8 (three on the season).
He’s had a good year and the most productive among rookie running backs. But he’ll need a herculean effort down the stretch, along with meltdowns by Stroud and Nacua, to win.
Defensive Rookie of the Year odds
Who are the Defensive Rookie of the Year odds favorites?
- Jalen Carter, defensive lineman, Philadelphia Eagles
The argument for him may be benefiting from high preseason expectations because he was such a dominant player at Georgia. Since he opened as one of the favorites and no one has had a standout season, he’s remained at the top of betting boards.
He has made several clutch plays for the Eagles and has been among PFF’s highest-rated rookies throughout the season. But from a statistical perspective, his year has been unimpressive, and the Eagles defense has performed significantly worse in several ways this season than last.
To be fair, if a defensive lineman is doing his job right, the linebackers behind him will have all the stats. Carter is not why the defense is underperforming in several categories.
But since he is the current favorite, he’ll win unless someone stands out in the last few weeks.
- Will Anderson Jr., defensive end, Houston Texans
Anderson leads all rookies with five sacks and 45 QB pressures. With 17 QB hits, he has 10 more than Carter (7). He has played an integral role in the Houston defense, improving by leaps and bounds compared to last year’s unit.
He’s made more plays for a better defense than Carter has for the Eagles, but he’ll need a few big plays in the final few weeks to convince voters he deserves to win DROY.
- Devon Witherspoon, cornerback, Seattle Seahawks
Witherspoon has been consistently graded as the top rookie cornerback in the league and, depending on the site, the best corner. He has a pick-6 to his name, three sacks, and four TFLs (numbers comparable to Carter’s).
He’ll need a signature play or two to surpass Carter, and with games against the 49ers and Eagles on deck, he’ll get his chance.
Best sportsbooks for NFL ROTY odds
Nearly every sportsbook in the US posts futures odds for NFL Rookie of the Year. Below, see our favorite sportsbooks to place your bets on the NFL ROTY Award.
- DraftKings Sportsbook: DraftKings offers various futures bets, including the NFL Rookie of the Year. It has an easy-to-use app and website; plus, it offers solid NFL welcome bonuses & promotions for new bettors.
- FanDuel Sportsbook: FanDuel has competitive odds on the NFL Rookie of the Year and other NFL futures bets. This sportsbook also runs a highly rated betting app with attractive promotions for existing users and a substantial welcome bonus for new players.
- BetMGM Sportsbook: BetMGM offers competitive odds for all bet types, including NFL props and futures like the NFL Rookie of the Year. It also has a nice variety of ways to fund your account for convenient betting. Quality customer service and a generous welcome bonus await new customers.
- Caesars Sportsbook: Caesars sometimes offers more favorable NFL betting odds on Rookie of the Year and other NFL futures than its competition does. Like the other sportsbooks, Caesars rolls out a competitive welcome bonus for new players.
See here for a list of new betting sites as they launch in legal betting sites.
How to bet on NFL Rookie of the Year
To make an NFL Rookie of the Year bet you’ll need to register for an account at a legal online sportsbook.
The process is simple, free, and fast. You can sign up at as many sportsbooks as you like. Start by following a link above to the sportsbook of your choice, which will qualify you for the best sportsbook bonus available today.
Signing up is very straightforward. Once you visit the sportsbook of your choice, you will find a register or sign-up button at the top of the homepage. Click it and you’ll be taken to a sign-up form.
Here, provide information such as your name, address, email, and Social Security number. Once you’ve completed that step, you’ll be required to accept the sportsbook’s terms and conditions.
If you are going to use a bonus code, which is available on our site if needed, you can enter it during the registration process. Before accepting a bonus offer for first-time account holders, we urge you to read the requirements.
At this point, you’ll need to deposit funds to place a bet, which you’ll be able to do with a variety of secure banking options at legal sportsbooks.
You’ll find the NFL Rookie of the Year betting options under the NFL tab and with the other NFL futures bets. Select your bet, decide how much you want to wager, and confirm your bets. After that, you’re all set.
Remember to place bets only with legal online sportsbooks in your state. Offshore sportsbooks widely advertise their services, but they are illegal and provide you with no protection against fraud or other criminal activity.
When is the best time to bet on NFL ROTY odds?
Successfully betting on the NFL Rookie of the Year requires monitoring player performance, statistics, news, and more. When it comes to an optimal betting time, that comes down to your own risk vs. reward preferences.
After all, the NFL Rookie of the Year can be bet on nearly year-round, and the earlier you choose to bet, the better the odds will be. Of course, you’ll know more if you wait. Let’s break down some pros and cons.
Pros and cons of betting early on the NFL Rookie of the Year: The pros to betting early include having an opportunity to find better value. The odds are new and haven’t been adjusted due to player news, performance, or other factors. Cons include the limited information to make a bet and the higher risk of a player falling out of contention for the award.
Pros and cons of waiting to bet on the NFL Rookie of the Year: The biggest pro to waiting is all the stats, news, and player performance data that can inform your decision once the season is underway. You’ll have a much better idea of which players are beginning to stand out.
The cons include a reduced opportunity to find value in the futures market, as well as odds that are not as favorable as they once were.
Always consider your risk tolerance before deciding when to place your bets. Gather as much information as possible and monitor your chosen players before you bet your hard-earned cash.
Offensive ROTY and Defensive ROTY
There are two awards given annually to the top first-year players in the NFL: Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
On the offensive side of things, the award typically goes to a quarterback or other skill player. On the defensive side, pass rushers, linebackers, and defensive backs all compete for the honor.
Winners stand out among their peers, as evaluated by stats, performance, and team impact. Some of the stats to track when betting the ROTY include:
Defense
- Tackles
- Sacks
- Tackles for loss
- Quarterback hurries
- Passes defended
- Interceptions
Offense
- Passing completions and attempts
- Touchdown-to-interception ratios
- Rushing attempts and yards
- Receptions and yards
Who are the past ROTY winners?
The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award is given annually to the top first-year offensive player. Between 2010 and 2022, players from various positions and teams have taken home the trophy, showcasing the league’s rising talent. These players have included quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers.
Similarly, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award is for the best first-year defensive player. Defensive tackles, linebackers, and cornerbacks have all recently claimed the honor.
Below are the winners since 2010 for each of the awards:
Offense
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Garrett Wilson | WR | New York Jets |
| 2021 | Ja’Marr Chase | WR | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2020 | Justin Herbert | QB | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 2019 | Kyler Murray | QB | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2018 | Saquon Barkley | RB | New York Giants |
| 2017 | Alvin Kamara | RB | New Orleans Saints |
| 2016 | Dak Prescott | QB | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2015 | Todd Gurley | RB | St. Louis Rams |
| 2014 | Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | New York Giants |
| 2013 | Eddie Lacy | RB | Green Bay Packers |
| 2012 | Robert Griffin III | QB | Washington Redskins |
| 2011 | Can Newton | QB | Carolina Panthers |
| 2010 | Sam Bradford | QB | St. Louis Rams |
Defense
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sauce Gardner | CB | New York Jets |
| 2021 | Micah Parsons | LB | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2020 | Chase Young | DL | Washington Football Team |
| 2019 | Nick Bosa | Edge | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2018 | Shaquille Leonard | LB | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2017 | Marshon Lattimore | CB | New Orleans Saints |
| 2016 | Joey Bosa | DE | San Diego Chargers |
| 2015 | Marcus Peters | CB | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2014 | Aaron Donald | DT | St. Louis Rams |
| 2013 | Sheldon Richardson | DT | New York Jets |
| 2012 | Luke Kuechly | LB | Carolina Panthers |
| 2011 | Von Miller | LB | Denver Broncos |
| 2010 | Ndamukong Suh | DT | Detroit Lions |
What other NFL awards can I bet on?
The National Football League gives out several prominent awards at the end of each season, and you can bet on the vast majority of them via NFL futures odds.
Below are the awards most commonly bet on at online sportsbooks:
- NFL MVP odds
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- NFL Comeback Player of the Year
- NFL Coach of the Year
Other popular NFL futures bets you can make include:
