We’re less than a week removed from the 2018 NFL Draft and we already have Vegas odds released for next season. Including Sam Darnold as a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year.
The Sam Darnold love has reached an all-time high among New York Jets fans everywhere. Can you blame Jets fans? Darnold broke an ugly first-round streak of defensive players drafted. For the first time since 2009, Jets fans have an offensive player to rally around! I’m hearing everything from Jets fans:
- He’s our franchise quarterback
- Man we’re going to win multiple championships
- Rookie of the Year in 2018?
Well, the Vegas odds via Bovada:
Giants RB Saquon Barkley is the favorite to be the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, per @BovadaLV, with 3-2 odds. Sam Darnold is the fifth choice (12-1), behind Baker Mayfield (11-4), Josh Allen (8-1), and Josh Rosen (10-1).
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) May 1, 2018
The Vegas odds have New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley as the heavy favorite, but still have Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen in the mix. If the four quarterbacks all see time as a starter this season, this Rookie of the Year race could be fun to watch.
The talk of the town says that Darnold is likely going to start sooner rather than later for the green and white in 2018. While the Jets have an ideal scenario at quarterback with so many veterans on the team in Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, why delay the inevitable?
This guy is the future of the franchise. Multiple scouts and NFL experts have texted me saying he was the ‘safest’ quarterback in the draft and one that can start sooner rather than later.
The Jets have pieces in place offensively with an average offensive line and a stout defense. That could be a ripe combination in 2018 and beyond.
If Darnold was able to win the coveted Offensive Rookie of the Year award, that would be the first time in Jets history that was accomplished. While defensively multiple Jets have won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors including Sheldon Richardson (2013), Jonathan Vilma (2004), Hugh Douglas (1995), and Erik McMillan (1988).
