Betting odds on the winners of this year’s NFL Rookie of the Year awards are available at legal online sportsbooks. Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud remains the overwhelming favorite to win on the offensive side. On defense, Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter is favored to win, with Seattle Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon up next.
As the NFL season continues, we can expect to see additional movement in the odds as they respond to news, player performance, and other developments. Here’s a look at what you need to know about betting on the NFL Rookie of the Year.
2023-24 NFL Rookie of the Year odds
As the 2023 NFL draft was winding down, legal online sportsbooks wasted little time unveiling odds for the winners of the ROY awards for the upcoming season. The odds have continued to evolve since that point. Let’s take a look at the current favorites.
2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year favorites
Here are the latest betting lines on players to win this season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Houston QB C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in the most recent draft, is the favorite on offense. He has repeatedly bolstered his case as the Texans have gotten off to a record of 6-5. Houston entered the season with low expectations, but it now finds itself among the contenders in NFL playoff odds. On the season, Stroud has thrown for 3,266 yards, 19 TDs, and five INTs and also rushed for three touchdowns.
Behind him, two players are jockeying to hold down a distant second place in the latest betting odds: Rams WR Puka Nacua and Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Nacua was a fifth-round selection who has managed to surge up the board after becoming a focal point on offense for Los Angeles. Gibbs was a first-round choice of the Lions and has become a key cog in the team’s offensive attack. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson and Ravens WR Zay Flowers round out the top five.
2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year favorites
Below are the latest betting odds for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award winner.
DT Jalen Carter, the ninth overall pick, remains the favorite on defense. He has recorded four sacks, 14 solo tackles, and a pair of forced fumbles. Seattle CB Devon Witherspoon, the fifth overall pick, has moved into second place. He has 42 solo tackles, a forced fumble, and an INT. DE Will Anderson Jr., who went third overall to the Texans, holds down the third spot and has 24 solo tackles and three sacks.
NFL Rookie of the Year odds last updated: November 2023
How to bet on the NFL Rookie of the Year
Sportsbooks generally unveil odds on the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year award winners for the upcoming season following the NFL draft.
The wager requires a long-term perspective, as it won’t settle until we know who’s won. As an example, a $100 winning wager on a player at odds of +800 would bring back a profit of $800, while a winning $100 bet at +300 would return $300 in profit.
Who were the top picks at the most recent NFL draft?
While a lofty draft spot is not a prerequisite for winning ROY honors, it certainly doesn’t hurt. Here are the top 10 picks from the 2023 NFL draft.
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College | Betting odds |
| 1 | Carolina Panthers | Bryce Young | QB | Alabama | +25000 |
| 2 | Houston Texans | C.J. Stroud | QB | Ohio State | -10000 |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Will Anderson | LB | Alabama | +1200 |
| 4 | Indianapolis Colts | Anthony Richardson | QB | Florida | NA |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | Devon Witherspoon | CB | Illinois | +225 |
| 6 | Arizona Cardinals | Paris Johnson | OT | Ohio State | NA |
| 7 | Las Vegas Raiders | Tyree Wilson | LB | Texas Tech | +25000 |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Bijan Robinson | RB | Texas | +3000 |
| 9 | Philadelphia Eagles | Jalen Carter | DT | Georgia | -303 |
| 10 | Chicago Bears | Darnell Wright | OT | Tennessee | NA |
Recent NFL ROY winners
Every season, a lot of talented players enter the NFL, and many go on to make their mark on the league. If we look back over the past decade of NFL Rookie of the Year winners, there’s no shortage of name recognition or impact players.
| Season | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 – Offense | Garrett Wilson | WR | New York Jets |
| 2022 – Defense | Ahmad Gardner | CB | New York Jets |
| 2021 – Offense | Ja’Marr Chase | WR | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2021 – Defense | Micah Parsons | LB | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2020 – Offense | Justin Herbert | QB | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 2020 – Defense | Chase Young | DE | Washington Commanders |
| 2019 – Offense | Kyler Murray | QB | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2019 – Defense | Nick Bosa | DE | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2018 – Offense | Saquon Barkley | RB | New York Giants |
| 2018 – Defense | Darius Leonard | LB | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2017 – Offense | Alvin Kamara | RB | New Orleans Saints |
| 2017 – Defense | Marshon Lattimore | CB | New Orleans Saints |
| 2016 – Offense | Dak Prescott | QB | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2016 – Defense | Joey Bosa | DE | San Diego Chargers |
| 2015 – Offense | Todd Gurley | RB | St. Louis Rams |
| 2015 – Defense | Marcus Peters | CB | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2014 – Offense | Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | New York Giants |
| 2014 – Defense | Aaron Donald | DT | St Louis Rams |
| 2013 – Offense | Eddie Lacy | RB | Green Bay Packers |
| 2013 – Defense | Sheldon Richardson | DE | New York Jets |
Which position is the best bet for Rookie of the Year?
Since 1967, there have been two main Rookie of the Year awards annually, one for offensive players and another for defenders. Here’s the position breakdown of winners on both sides of the ball since that point.
- Offensive ROY winners
- QB: 10
- RB: 35
- WR: 11
Historically, running backs hold a massive edge, but the distribution has been much more level over the past decade. Of the past 10 winners, there have been four running backs, three quarterbacks and three wide receivers.
- Defensive ROY winners
- CB: 9
- DE: 12
- DT: 7
- LB: 26
- S: 2
On an all-time basis, linebackers have racked up the most awards by a wide margin. However, the split also evens out here over the last 10 years: four defensive ends, three cornerbacks, two linebackers and one defensive tackle.
NFL Rookie of the Year FAQ
How many times has the first overall NFL draft pick won a Rookie of the Year award?
This has happened six times, with the most recent occurring in 2019 when Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray won the award. Of the six players in this exclusive group, the breakdown is three each for quarterbacks and running backs.
Has a rookie ever won the NFL MVP award?
The legendary Jim Brown is the only player who has won the award in his rookie season. The Cleveland Browns RB rushed for 1,133 yards and 10 TDs over 12 games, easily winning Rookie of the Year honors, as well.
Who was the last Rookie of the Year to appear in the Super Bowl in the same season?
Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase was the Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2021 season. The Bengals went on a run through the AFC playoffs before falling to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.