National Football League

The five favorites to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Published May. 8, 2015 1:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

By James Merilatt

Today around the NFL, rookies report for work for the first time. The press conferences introducing them to the media are over. Photo shoots and other glamorous duties are in the rearview mirror. It’s time to get down to business.

As a result, the 256 players selected in the 2015 NFL draft will start competing for jobs today. Some are vying for spots on the roster, while others will end up pushing for playing time and starting positions. Ultimately, a few will emerge as bona fide stars, ready to be major contributors in year one.

Those who fall into that final category will have a chance to haul in some hardware at season’s end; they’ll be in the running for some of the league’s top honors.

Who will be in that group? Here are five players who have a shot at winning the NFL’s 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year award (odds of winning based on Bovada):

5. Duke Johnson (25-1)
The Browns aren’t exactly loaded with offensive talent, a fact that will provide plenty of opportunities for Johnson to get on the field. The versatile running back from Miami will enter the season as the best weapon in Cleveland’s arsenal, so they’d be foolish not to feed him the ball on a consistent basis. There’s no reason to believe that Johnson can’t post 1,000-plus yards on the ground, while also hauling in passes for another 500 or so.

4. Maxx Williams (16-1)
Joe Flacco loves to throw the football to his tight end; it’s been a mainstay of his game since day one. But with Dennis Pitta’s future cloudy and Owen Daniels departed for Denver, the Ravens quarterback might not have his normal security blanket. Of course, Williams can fill that void, as the talented tight end out of Minnesota appears to be the prototypical player for that position in Baltimore. He’ll catch 40-plus passes in year one.

3. Nelson Agholor (14-1)
Rookie wide receivers tend to shine in Chip Kelly’s offense. Last year, Jordan Matthews caught 67 passes for 872 yards and eight touchdowns. There’s no reason to think Agholor can’t post similar numbers. He’s already penciled in as the Eagles’ third starting receiver, alongside Matthews and Riley Cooper. Look for him to fill the void left by Jeremy Maclin’s departure to Kansas City, which will mean opportunities will abound in Philadelphia.

2. Ameer Abdullah (25-1)
When opposing defenses game plan for Detroit, they aren’t worried about the team’s running game; it’s all about stopping Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Matthew Stafford’s other receiving weapons. And that was when Reggie Bush was part of the Lions’ offense. Now that the two top backs in the Motor City are Joique Bell and Theo Riddick, this will be the case even more. Of course, the rookie running back out of Nebraska could change all of that; he’d be a true threat.

1. Marcus Mariota (9-1)
Given that they touch the football on every play, quarterbacks inherently have the best chance of winning awards; this is why six of the last 10 OROY honors have been given to signal callers. So that gives Mariota an edge. The other thing that makes him a good bet is his maturity. He’s the odds-on favorite to be able to step in, handle the pressure, understand the game and thrive from day one. Will he be the best pro long term? Not sure. But he’ll be the best in year one.