There was a lot of debate over where Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson should be selected in the NFL Draft. Although running backs are rarely taken early on, the Atlanta Falcons made the move to take Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round. Based on the early NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, Robinson is the favorite over No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young to win some hardware in his rookie season.
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NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds: Bijan Robinson Early Lead
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Robinson (+300) is a slight favorite over Young (+475) to win OROY next season. Check out the full NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds after Round 1 of the NFL Draft below:
The Falcons had an above-average running attack in 2022-23 with the tandem of Cordarrelle Patterson and rookie Tyler Allgeier -- who ran for over 1,000 yards in his first season in the league. The team's brass now has a clear vision of Allgeier and Robinson providing a lethal one-two punch for years to come.
“Bijan’s more than a running back. He’s an impact football player,” Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Thursday night after Atlanta selected Robinson eighth, per The Athletic. “We just feel he’s an explosive weapon. He’s a home run hitter however he gets the football in his hands.”
Robinson showed his lethal combination of running ability and pass-catching skills at Texas. He ran for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns during his senior season, adding 314 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver.
When push came to shove, there was very little mystery around who the Carolina Panthers would be selecting first overall. The team zeroed in on Young from the jump and will now hand him the reigns to the franchise for years to come. Young, while a bit undersized, has all the tools that make him the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year's draft.
But expect Young to suffer through some growing pains when trying to find his footing with a rebuilding Panthers team. And with the Falcons likely to lean heavily on Robinson, it comes as no surprise that he checks in as the favorite in the early NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds.
Bettors looking for the best value on the board before the NFL season rolls around should check out OddsShopper tools for top-rated MLB, NBA and NHL bets!
