It is the most wonderful time of the NFL offseason when all predictions are correct.
No one can be proven wrong for at least four months.
That is worth noting as the latest BetMGM odds project Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett as the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
His odds are better than Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks and New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Kenny Picket leads the way in Offensive Rookie of the Year odds. Who would you choose?
Kenny Pickett +500
Drake London +650
Treylon Burks +750
Garrett Wilson +800(Odds via @BetMGM) pic.twitter.com/KbJ6hd78IK
— Audacy Sports (@AudacySports) May 5, 2022
Current OROTY Is A Wide Receiver
Ironically, the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year is Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase.
Ja’Marr Chase appreciation post 🐅
– Most rec yards by a rookie in regular season history in SB era (1,455)
– Most rec yards by a rookie in playoff history (368)
– Most rec yards in a single game by a rookie (266 vs Chiefs Wk 17)
– OROTY
– 2nd team All-ProBright future ahead pic.twitter.com/RmeXLARstr
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) February 14, 2022
Chase’s 2021 draft class was loaded with quarterback talent including Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones.
Even with that tight quarterback competition, a wide receiver still prevailed as OROTY.
Easier For Wide Receiver To Earn The Award
Let’s face it, it is easier for rookie wide receivers to come into the NFL and make an immediate impact.
Pair them with veteran quarterbacks, and they can be off to the races.
The 2022 draft class is deep with wide receiving talent so it is not hard to imagine a wide receiver will win the award again in 2023.
Back To Pickett
Pickett is the sentimental favorite among Pitt Panthers and Steelers fans.
He played his college home games at Heinz Field and is a familiar face for Steelers coaches and players.
That all sounds great except it is yet to be determined if he will be the Steelers QB1 in 2022.
After all, the team signed Mitchell Trubisky who is the leading contender for the job.
Mason Rudolph is also on the roster.
This means Pickett has to win the job this spring and summer.
After earning the job, he has to play lights out football one year after the Roethlisberger era ended so he can win OROTY.
Best thing I heard about Pitt QB Kenny Pickett was from one of Pitt’s coaches — that the game slows down for him in big moments. Has ability to process clearly when things get tight. Steelers saw that firsthand for years.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 29, 2022
It is a tall order but not impossible.
This time of year, the oddsmakers know about as much as the rest of us, but it is still fun to see what they come up with.
The proof is in the pudding so in nine months if Pickett is in fact named the OROTY, they will look like geniuses.
We shall see.
