We’ve had a couple of weeks to digest and assess the 2014 NFL Draft and determine which teams came out the best. Furthermore, we’ve had time to make predictions and figure out which rookie football player will have the best opportunity for success and take advantage of their new position in the NFL.
Bovada Sportsbook has done the same thing, installing betting lines to win the rookie of the year on offense and defense.
Let’s take a look at the offensive side of the ball, and who Bovada projects to be the top offensive rookie in the NFL in 2014.
The first offensive rookie that was taken in the NFL Draft on May 8 was Greg Robinson to the St. Louis Rams. Robinson was a fantastic left tackle for Auburn during their national championship game run last season. Robinson is expected to be a huge player at the left tackle position, but having said that his position is not one that typically wins an award like the rookie of the year.
At No.3, Jacksonville selected quarterback Blake Bortles as the first offensive skill position off the board. But the Jaguars have already stated that their intention is to sit Bortles for the entire 2014 season. This doesn’t bode well for rookie of the year chances, and that is reflected in the betting lines at Bovada, with Bortles well down the list at 20/1.
Leading the way on the odds are a pair of wide receivers that went in the top-10. Sammy Watkins went to Buffalo at No.4 overall, and Mike Evans went to Tampa Bay at No.7 overall. Both of these players sit at 4/1.
The biggest storyline in the 2014 NFL Draft was unquestionably Johnny Manziel After falling to No.22 to the Cleveland Browns, Manziel said that he knew he would end up in Cleveland at the start of the day. Manziel might have been picked after 20, but he is a player high up on the offensive rookie of the year odds. The quarterback is slated at 6/1, and should have a good chance to start for the Browns come Week 1.
The only other quarterback in the top-five is Teddy Bridgewater. The Minnesota Vikings traded back into the 1st round to get Bridgewater, who will likely assume the starting role as well.