The Kansas City Chiefs selected LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire with pick No. 32 in the 2020 NFL Draft. The pick has been met with near-universal praise, with love for the pairing between Edwards-Helaire and Chiefs HC Andy Reid.
Following the draft, BetMGM has released their opening odds for the winner of the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in the 2020 NFL season. Edwards-Helaire ranks fifth among those players, with +1000 odds to receive the award in 2020. He’s the third running back on the list behind Lions RB D’Andre Swift (Second at +850) and Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (Fourth at +950). Both of those players were drafted much later than Edwards-Helaire.
The player who leads the odds is none other than No. 1 overall pick, Bengals QB Joe Burrow (+200). Finally, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa comes in at third with (+900) odds. Quarterbacks tend to historically have the best early odds. Somewhat surprisingly, in a draft class dubbed as a superior receiver class, no wide receivers are in the top 5 in odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
I’m a little surprised that Edwards-Helaire isn’t listed higher. He’s been drafted to the most explosive offense in the NFL that is also coming off of a Super Bowl win. Edwards-Helaire’s game has already been compared to NFL greats like Priest Holmes, Brian Westbrook, Darren Sproles and even Barry Sanders. He’s also going to one of the most creative play-callers in the NFL in Reid.
The only thing that makes sense is that oddsmakers believe Damien Williams will make a big dent in Edwards-Helaire’s ability to see the field. I’m not so convinced yet that Edwards-Helaire won’t beat Williams out as an early-down back in Kansas City, which could put the ball in his court to become a bell-cow type of rusher for the Chiefs.
What do you think, Chiefs Kingdom? Are the oddsmakers too high, too low, or just right on Edwards-Helaire’s Offensive Rookie of the Year odds? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.
