The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year race is heating up as we enter Week 13.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker leads the way in a battle that will likely stay fierce until the final week of the season.
Bet on the OROY and other futures at these NFL betting sites.
Offensive Rookie of the Year Favorites
Kenneth Walker lll – RB
Many people scratched their heads when the Seattle Seahawks took Walker in the second round of this year’s draft. Seattle was destined for a rebuild, and a running back didn’t seem like a major priority.
The former Michigan State star has put all those doubts to rest. Walker has picked up right where he left off in college and shown the ability that had him as a Heisman candidate last year.
The 5’9, 211-lb wrecking ball has been beastly since starter Rashaad Penny went down in Week 5. He’s racked up 613 rushing yards in six starts (4.5 YPC) and has a team-leading nine touchdowns.
As Seattle vies for a playoff spot, Walker should continue to be a workhorse down the stretch.
Chris Olave – WR
Chris Olave has been doing it all year for the New Orleans Saints. The former Ohio State standout leads all rookie receivers with 822 yards and has notched at least three catches in every game this season.
Olave is an absolute burner (4.39 40-yard-dash) that can pop the top off of defenses. Unfortunately, his electric speed hasn’t been fully taken advantage of thanks to inconsistent quarterback play.
Olave has only found paydirt three times, catching balls from an undesirable combo of Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston. A few more scores would go a long way toward his OROY chances.
Garrett Wilson – WR
Garrett Wilson is about to break out. The speedster from Ohio State has had the misfortune of Zach Wilson being his quarterback most of the year – but that’s about to change.
The Jets finally switched to Mike White last week, and Wilson reaped the rewards. The former Buckeye doubled his touchdown total on the season and added 95 receiving yards. He now has 628 yards (12.8 avg.) and four TDs on the year.
He’ll face many porous defenses down the stretch, including the Vikings, Lions, Jaguars, and Dolphins. Look for Wilson to make a late run for the OROY crown.
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Sleepers to watch
Christian Watson – WR
There isn’t a player in the NFL as hot as Christian Watson right now. It took the second-round pick a while to get going, but now it seems that nobody can stop him.
After being held without a score in the first six games he played, Watson has hauled in six TDs in his last three. He’s finally earned Aaron Rodgers’ trust, and it’s paying dividends for the Packers.
The 6’5 wideout has track-star speed (4.36 – 40) that has made opposing defenses look silly in the last few games. He was late to the party this year, but anything can happen if he keeps this pace down the stretch.
Green Bay has a pillowy-soft schedule to wrap up the year, and we could see Watson torch a few more secondaries.
Dameon Pierce – RB
Dameon Pierce has been the lone bright spot on an abysmal Houston Texans team this season. The Florida product’s punishing running style has turned heads and tormented opposing defenses all year long.
He leads all rookie RBs with 788 ground yards and has added 27 receptions and four total touchdowns to his stat sheet.
Pierce’s stock has slipped in the last couple of weeks after back-to-back performances of just eight rushing yards.
The lack of production can be blamed on the Texans constantly falling behind, forcing them to throw more than they’d like.
Kenny Pickett – QB
Kenny Pickett was the OROY favorite coming into the season but spent the first few games on the bench. Since he took over as the Steelers’ starter, he’s improved every week.
The quarterback position usually takes time to develop, and QBs have only won the OROY in four of the last ten years.
Pickett has impressed with his mobility, piling up 195 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. He’s added three passing TDs, but has close to a 3:1 interception to TD ratio with eight picks.
The first-rounder out of Pitt looks to have a promising future but is a long shot for OROY at this point.
OROY trends
- Running backs have won four of the last eight OROY.
- Quarterbacks have won nine of the last 18 OROY.
- 15 of the last 18 OROY were drafted in the first round.
- Running backs have won the award 62% in its history.
- Wide receivers have won the award 15% in its history.
- Tight Ends have won the award just once.
- An offensive lineman has never won the award.
Previous 15 OROY winners
Year Award Winner Position Draft
2021 Ja’Marr Chase WR Round 1, pick 5
2020 Justin Herbert QB Round 1, pick 6
2019 Kyler Murray QB Round 1, pick 1
2018 Saquon Barkley RB Round 1, pick 2
2017 Alvin Kamara RB Round 3, pick 67
2016 Dak Prescott QB Round 4, pick 135
2015 Todd Gurley RB Round 1, pick 10
2014 Odell Beckham Jr. WR Round 1, pick 12
2013 Eddie Lacy RB Round 2, pick 61
2012 Robert Griffin III QB Round 1, pick 2
2011 Cam Newton QB Round 1, pick 1
2010 Sam Bradford QB Round 1, pick 1
2009 Percy Harvin WR Round 1, pick 22
2008 Matt Ryan QB Round 1, pick 1
2007 Adrian Peterson RB Round 1, pick 7
