Oddsmakers think that Kansas City Chiefs draft pick Mecole Hardman has a strong chance to earn NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Several sportsbooks have released opening odds for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Hardman has consistently been listed as a top contender. Both Odds Shark and Betonline.ag have him listed at +1000.
Why are they so hot on Hardman to earn this award? Well it might have something to do with 2018 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Patrick Mahomes being his quarterback. The expectation appears to be that Mahomes will be able to raise the level of play from this draft pick immediately.
On top of that, the reported interest from other NFL teams trying to trade up for Hardman before the Chiefs snagged him has sparked intrigue. What is it that NFL evaluators see in him? Obviously, he has 4.3 speed working in his favor, but he didn’t have the strongest production during his career at Georgia. It seems like quite the lofty projection that Hardman could come into the NFL and have such an immediate impact.
No Chief has ever won AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Running back Kareem Hunt made a strong case in 2017, but Saints RB Alvin Kamara won the award instead.
