Steve Starr
- BetOnline has updated odds for the NFL’s major player awards with the preseason underway
- Patrick Mahomes (+600) is favored for his second-consecutive MVP
- Kyler Murray (+160) is the heavy favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Every August we’re all reminded not to overreact to the preseason and then, within seconds of getting our first taste of football in six months, we all go hog wild on Twitter and jump to conclusions about every player in the league.
With the real NFL season only weeks away, let’s examine the odds at BetOnline and throw caution to the wind in determining what offensive and defensive players will take home the league’s top individual honors in 2019.
NFL Regular Season MVP
| NFL Player | Odds |
| Patrick Mahomes (QB Chiefs) | +600 |
| Carson Wentz (QB Eagles) | +900 |
| Andrew Luck (QB Colts) | +1200 |
| Aaron Rodgers (QB Packers) | +1200 |
| Baker Mayfield (QB Browns) | +1200 |
| Tom Brady (QB Patriots) | +1400 |
| Philip Rivers (QB Chargers) | +2000 |
| Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) | +2500 |
| Cam Newton (QB Seahawks) | +2500 |
| Deshaun Watson (QB Texans) | +2500 |
Patrick Mahomes vs. The Field
Patrick Mahomes is on every fantasy football “Do Not Draft” list despite throwing 52 touchdowns in 2018.
The gist of the argument is the golden-armed god’s 8.6% touchdown rate is sure to regress because it’s over 2% higher than the career averages of Aaron Rodgers (6.2%), Tom Brady (5.5%) and Drew Brees (5.4%).
Mecole Hardman turned on the jets ?♂️?
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/QyCo28svSB
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 11, 2019
While that argument is sound, don’t forget the Chiefs offense was compromised when Kareem Hunt left the team after week 11. Kansas City restocked Andy Reid’s cupboards in the offseason, adding two burners in second-round WR Mecole Hardman and sixth-round RB Darwin Thompson.
With Tyreek Hill escaping suspension, the league’s premier tight end (Travis Kelce) and a healthy-for-now Sammy Watkins, Mahomes remains a strong bet at 6/1.
Best longshots: Ben Roethlisberger (+2500), Cam Newton (+2500)
NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year
| NFL Player | Odds |
| Khalil Mack (OLB Bears) | +250 |
| Aaron Donald (DT Rams) | +300 |
| J.J. Watt (DE Texans) | +1000 |
| Von Miller (OLB Broncos) | +1200 |
| Joey Bosa (DE Chargers) | +2200 |
| Myles Garrett (DE Browns) | +2200 |
| Jalen Ramsey (CB Jaguars) | +2200 |
| Demarcus Lawrence (DE Cowboys) | +2500 |
| Chris Jones (DE Chiefs) | +2800 |
| Chandler Jones (LB Cardinals) | +3300 |
Aaron Donald vs. The Field
After posting 12.5 sacks in his first season in Chicago, Khalil Mack will likely continue to make Jon Gruden look stupid in 2019. The Bears superstar is the slight favorite over Rams DT Aaron Donald, who could become the first player ever to win three straight DPOYs.
Look for Browns defensive end Myles Garrett to improve on his 13.5 sacks from last year after former DC Gregg Williams reportedly limited him to just two moves.
Myles Garrett’s speed off the line is outrageous pic.twitter.com/5i9MKutRKT
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 9, 2019
Cleveland’s no. 1 overall pick in 2017 is the best value on the board (22/1), but don’t sleep on Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller (+1200).
The seven-time Pro Bowler is the biggest chess piece in Vic Fangio’s defense, and both he and the Broncos coach seem to be on the same page.
Best longshots: Derwin James (+3300), Bobby Wagner (+4000)
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
| Player | Odds |
| Kyler Murray (QB Cardinals) | +160 |
| Darrell Henderson (RB Rams) | +700 |
| Dwayne Haskins (QB Redskins) | +700 |
| Josh Jacobs (RB Raiders) | +800 |
| David Montgomery (RB Bears) | +1400 |
| Mecole Hardman (WR Chiefs) | +1800 |
| Deebo Samuel (WR 49ers) | +2000 |
| Miles Sanders (RB Eagles) | +2000 |
| Parris Campbell (WR Colts) | +2000 |
| D.K. Metcalf (WR Seahawks) | +2500 |
Kyler Murray vs. The Field
Despite all the hubbub about his true height, Kyler Murray’s rookie-of-the-year odds continue the climb. Displaying accuracy and athleticism in a razor-sharp preseason debut, the diminutive QB should put up video-game numbers in coach Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid attack if the Cardinals O-Line can hold up.
The #Bears’ David Montgomery is going to be a PROBLEM!#CARvsCHI
— PFF (@PFF) August 9, 2019
While running backs don’t matter, they have won this award in three of the past four years. Following an impressive debut in his own right, Bears third-round pick David Montgomery (+1400) offers superb value, along with Eagles second-round selection Miles Sanders (+2000).
Best longshots: TJ Hockenson (+2800), Daniel Jones (+3300)
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
| Player | Odds |
| Devin White (LB Buccaneers) | +600 |
| Devin Bush (LB Steelers) | +800 |
| Nick Bosa (DE 49ers) | +800 |
| Josh Allen (DE Jaguars) | +900 |
| Quinnen Williams (DT Jets) | +900 |
| Ed Oliver (DT Bills) | +1000 |
| Montez Sweat (LB Redskins) | +1200 |
| Brian Burns (DE Panthers) | +1600 |
| Clelin Ferrell (DE Raiders) | +1600 |
Devin White vs. Devin Bush
Selected within five spots of each other in the first round, two inside linebackers named Devin will battle it out for defensive rookie of the year. Peter King predicted White to win the award after visiting Buccaneers camp, but I’ll stick with the prediction I made back in May.
Pretty good night for the rook ?️https://t.co/LqluSZRhfX
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 9, 2019
I recommended the Steelers’ Bush at 15/1 and early returns look good after the University of Michigan alum racked up 10 tackles in week 1 of the preseason.
Panthers linebacker and apparent Spider-Man fan Brian Burns is also a nice bet at 16/1 after the athletic freak recorded two sacks in his first preseason action.
Best longshots: Juan Thornhill (+2800), Rock Ya-Sin (+2800)
